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The Ultimate Guide To Baking Cupcakes (+25 Recipes)

Baking cupcakes at home like the bakeries do is easy and something you definitely should attempt! This guide will cover everything you need to know from tools, to recipes, to decorating! Baking cupcakes is fun and totally doable!

baking cupcakes

When it comes to baking cupcakes, I’ve been doing it for awhile. From birthday parties to weddings I’ve made cupcakes for it.

But if you’re new to making cupcakes I am hoping this Ultimate Guide To Baking Cupcakes will get you started!

Cupcake Tools Needed

Your cupcakes are only going to be as good as the tools you use to make them. So invest in quality bakeware to ensure your cupcakes come out like the pros do. For me the cupcake decorating supplies I recommend having on hand are:

  1. Piping Bags:  These are an absolute must if you want to pipe the perfect swirl on top of your sugary creation. Two options for bags for you:
  2. Disposable bags:  I swear by these piping bags. I always keep on hand at all times 12 inch and 18-inch sized bags. If you get them on Amazon, they come in a 100-count roll for around $7, which is crazy cheap! Trust me, I have shopped around.  For most cupcake baking I do I use an 18-inch bag. This way I do not need to re-fill my bag if just frosting 1 or 2 dozen. No refill = less mess. I love these bags because they are in a convenient roll. So whenever I need one I simple just tear one off and I’m good to go. Another great option for you, are the disposable Wilton decorating bags. For these, I highly recommend getting a coupon and buying a box of these bags at your local crafts store, such as Michael’s.
  3. Reusable bags:  A little more friend to the environment. I also keep a few of these on hand, just in case as well. When I first started out I used these primarily. As the baking became more frequent, I switched to the disposable. The great thing about these is exactly in the name. Invest one time and you’re set! Just simply need to wash and you’re good to go. If you know you are going to making different frostings, colors, and/or fillings I would recommend more than one bag. The last thing you want to do is in the middle of decorating- stop, wash, fill, repeat. So save yourself the hassle and invest in a few. Also, because these are a more permanent solution, you can only cut the bottom of the bag once, which means you have to be committed to the size of the tip you are going to use. I have smaller bags with smaller openings for small tips for when I am going to do more detailed work. I have larger bags to fit my larger cupcake tips. It’s always good to have a range of sizes! My favorite ones are from Atecco, but I also have a few from Wilton as well.
  4.  Pastry Tips– When it comes to pastry tips for cupcakes, LARGE cupcake tips is the key.  In order to get that beautiful cupcake swirl you need large pastry tips. I love having an  assortment of different kinds so I can make different kinds of swirls depending on my mood.  This set is a great starter set by Ateco which I love, love, love and have many of.
  5. Icing Bag Ties–  I do not use these personally, but if you are starting out these might be quite handy for you. These ties help keep the piping bag shut on you so frosting doesn’t volcano  out the back of your bag. Unpleasant for sure.  If you don’t want to invest in these, seriously a clean hair tie or rubber band works well too. Either way, I recommend some sort of tie until you master holding that piping bag.
  6. Sprinkles–  Ok I can’t talk cupcakes without talking sprinkles. And if you’re new to  decorating, sprinkles will be your best friend to cover up any faux-pas you might have. If your  cupcake frosting ends up looking less than stellar, bust out some sprinkles friend.  I LOVE me  some sprinkles. Yes I am that baking nerd that has them organized by “seasonal” and “non-seasonal”.   My favorite go to sprinkles I use all the time are these, but of course there are  always sprinkles in every color and season depending on your mood.
  7. Gel Food Coloring–  Coloring your frosting can be fun. But it also can make or break your buttercream in the end if you use the wrong stuff. Liquid food coloring adds too much liquid to  your buttercream and for certain buttercreams, like swiss meringue can really do some damage. So I only use gel food coloring, so no added liquid is added. My favorite brands are Americolor   or Wilton Gel food colorings.
  8. Cupcake containers– I love using cupcake containers so my cupcakes stay nice and neat. I will use disposable, but that can expensive over time. So a good cupcake carrying case is key to  bring them places and they actually look presentable still. I can’t tell how many times I brought  cupcakes places only to find they have toppled over and smooshed into one giant cupcake.   Ugh.   And I’ve tried and received as gifts too many cupcake containers to count. They are not  created equal friend. Some are too short to hold a high pile of buttercream (and I like my          frosting).   And some are not travel worthy. Most don’t hold the cupcakes well and they topple over in the car on me. A cupcake carrier like this one or this one, will ensure that your cupcakes are secure on your travels.
  9. Offset Spatulas – I have so many of these to count. But they are fantastic for spreading a  layer of frosting on. I do not recommend using butter knifes if you want to frost by hand, those ridges on the knife will not give you that super smooth look like an off-set spatula will.
  10. Greaseproof cupcake liners–  Now liners aren’t essential in the decorating process I supposse, but I do believe they can make or break what your cupcakes look like in the end. So I  included these on the list.  I swear by these. Please do not use those ones in the store. And for the record those metal cups aren’t actually meant to be used did you know that? They are just  seperators for the actual liners? Fun fact. Moving on 🙂 But yes greaseproof liners will make  your cupcakes just look that more professionally. And they come in so many fun colors!  Although the classic brown is my go to.
  11. Apple Corer–  There are different ways you can core a cupcake (I show you 4 ways in this  post actually), but an apple corer is probably my favorite. And a cupcake with a surprise center like these PB & J cupcakes. Um swoon.
  12. Cupcake pans–  Of course you need some cupcake pans. Good ones. And my favorite go to pans are these ones from Chicago Metallic and these ones from Wilton. I always recommend  having two on hand!
chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting

Cupcake Recipes

I mean this is the fun part right? Sky’s the limit. But here are some recipes to get you started.

Classic Cupcake Flavors

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes – Of course you can’t go wrong with perfect vanilla cupcakes. From there you could make it your own. Add in a different extract, or zest of a lime or lemon.

Red Velvet –  This is by far my favorite. And it’s so easy! Then try mixing it up by stuffing it with Nutella or making them in a mason jar maybe?

Chocolate Cupcakes– Of course you need a good chocolate cupcake recipe. And from there you can have some fun by making one of these variations.

  1. Chocolate Cupcakes With Cake Batter Frosting
  2. Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes In A Jar
  3. Mocha Cupcakes
  4. Hostess homemade cupcakes
  5. White Chocolate Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes
  6. Milky Way Poke Chocolate Cupcakes
  7. Chocolate Reese’s Stuffed 
  8. Candy Cane Chocolate cupcakes
  9. Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
  10. S’mores Cupcakes

Cupcakes with a filling

Feel free to customize them and make them your own. You could also try adding a filling. Start by coring your cupcake using one of these 4 tools and filling the center with candies, sprinkles, maybe even caramel sauce, marshmallow fluff,  homemade vanilla pastry cream or lemon curd you could make in the microwave.  Or try adding a crust like homemade graham cracker crust. Here are a few recipes that have either a filling or crust addition:

  1. Lemon Meringue Pie Cupcakes
  2. S’mores Cupcakes
  3. Reese’s Pieces Cupcakes
  4. Peanut Butter and Jelly
  5. Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
  6. Spiced Apple Caramel Cupcakes
  7. Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Creative cupcake recipes:

  1. Small Batch Pumpkin Cupcakes
  2. Pumpkin spice latte cupcakes
  3. Fluffernutter
  4. Cotton Candy 
  5. Banana cupcakes
  6. Rainbow cupcakes
  7. Sparkling Cranberry Champagne Cupcakes
  8. Champagne Cupcakes
  9. Rice Krispie Treat Cupcakes
  10. Mint Oreo Stuffed Bailey’s Chocolate Cupcakes
  11. Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes
red velvet cupcakes

Cupcake Baking 101

Once you have your recipe you want to make, you better know a little cupcake baking 101 to help those cupcakes come out perfectly. Here are a few posts that will help you achieve perfect results every time.

And here are some baking 101 posts for no matter what you’re baking but will definitely come in handy when baking cupcakes!

vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream

Buttercream

Now no cupcake would be complete without a fantastic buttercream swirled on top. Don’t worry I got you covered. You can check out my Ultimate Guide To Making The Best Buttercream Icing.

As far as recipes go, you can choose one of these classic 6 buttercream and then download my Buttercream cheatsheet to customize the flavor yourself.

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes

Fluffy and light vanilla cupcakes with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting swirled on top!
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Servings: 30
Author: Heather Perine

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 16 tbsp. unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
  • 2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
  • 3.Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and creamy in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for one more minute.
  • 4.Add the sugar to the butter mixture, ¼ cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
  • 5.Divide the batter between the prepared paper liners, filling each about 2/3 of the way full (you will likely have batter left over after filling 24 wells.I managed to make a full 3 dozen cupcakes) Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Replace paper liners and bake remaining batter if desired. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.
  • 6. To make the vanilla buttercream frosting: Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add in your powdered sugar 1/2 cup at at time with mixer on low. Cream until combined. With mixer off, add your heavy cream and vanilla extract and then mix on low until combined. Then mix on medium to medium high speed for 8 minutes until light and fluffy. Use right away on cooled cupcakes. If not using right away, then store in a closed container in the refrigerator. You will need to mix the frosting again when ready to use to bring it back to that light and fluffy texture!
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Welcome, I'm Heather!

Hi everyone! I'm Heather and I believe baking doesn't have to be difficult. I want to show you just how easy it can be. To bake with confidence, you don't need another recipe. You need tips, tricks, and simple from scratch recipes. I want to help you become a better baker so you can bake the most delicious desserts for your family and friends. So grab your whisk and let's get baking!