Moist Buttermilk Cupcake Recipe
These buttermilk cupcakes are a favorite! When added to a homemade vanilla base, the buttermilk adds a delicious, rich flavor with a slight tang. It also holds a buttercream frosting well for an easy make-ahead cupcake to help you prepare for a party.
Add this to your recipe box and try it next time you need an easy and impressive cupcake. No buttermilk on hand? No problem – see the easy buttermilk recipe below.
RELATED READING: The Best Easy Vanilla Cupcake Recipe – Perfect for Kids!
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Homemade Buttermilk Cupcakes
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we aim to bring you the most delicious treats that are easy enough for anyone to make. I’m a certified cupcake fanatic – just look at how many original cupcake recipes I’ve shared!
Whether you need cupcakes for a party, or just something sweet to enjoy at home, this recipe is a winner. The buttermilk elevates a classic recipe and results in a super-moist cupcake that holds its form really well. See below for frosting recommendations for this cupcake.
Love this but can’t work on it now? Save this to a cupcake or dessert pin board or share it to Facebook. Either way will make it easy to find when you’re ready to begin.
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RELATED READING: Boozy Cupcakes You Can Make at Home (No Need for the Bakery)
Ingredients and Tips for Buttermilk Vanilla Cupcakes
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, that is not a problem. Make your own buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice OR vinegar combined with 1 cup of milk. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature, stir it, and then use it in this recipe.
- Cake flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter, room temperature
- Vegetable oil
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs, brought to room temperature
- Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
The Best Frosting Recipes for Vanilla Based Cupcakes
Here are some frosting recipes that will pair perfectly with this buttermilk base. The top choice is always a classic buttercream (flavored or with a vanilla hint) because it’s quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients.
- Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipe – This is the most-loved recipe for frosting: any theme, any color, any weather.
- Chocolate Buttercream Recipe – This is a classic pairing everyone will love and is very quick to come together.
- Cognac Frosting Recipe (and Topper) – For those with grown up palettes, this is hugely popular.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe – Okay, so hear me out: add strawberries and strawberry flavoring to this and WOW.
How to Make This Make Ahead Cupcake Recipe
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a cupcake pan with liners. Set aside.
Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl by whisking together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat the softened butter and oil in a large bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, for 3 minutes, until the texture is smooth.
Slowly add the granulated sugar while beating on low. Switch to high once added, and beat for an additional 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one by one, mixing completely after the addition of each egg. Then, pour the vanilla into the mixture and combine.
Add half of the dry ingredients to the large bowl of batter, and then half the buttermilk, mix, then add the remaining half and beat again, until the batter is light and fluffy.
Fill each of the cupcake liners no more than 3/4 of the way full.
Transfer the pan to the oven, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven, transfer the pan to a cooling rack, and allow the rack to cool completely before frosting.
Fit a pastry bag with the 1M star tip and add your frosting of choice, then frost the cooled cupcakes.
More Cupcake Recipe Like This You Might Like
- Easy Cotton Candy Cupcakes – These carnival-inspired cupcakes are loved by little ones and they’re super fun to eat.
- Minnie Mouse Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes – If you’re looking to WOW your favorite Disney fan, nothing will tope these.
- Little Mermaid Dinglehopper Cupcakes – There are some complicated mermaid cupcake ideas; this is not one of them.
Please Save or Share This Easy Buttermilk Cupcake Recipe
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save these cupcakes with buttermilk to a baking recipes pin board or share it with a food group on Facebook.
Buttermilk Vanilla Cupcakes
These buttermilk vanilla cupcakes are a favorite due to their slightly tangy, sweet profile. Adding buttermilk will also increase the moistness of the cakes, allowing you to prepare these in advance and still deliver a beautifully rich, moist dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour (can substitute 1 1/4 cup all purpose + 1/2 cup cornstarch)
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, brought to room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups buttermilk (see notes to make your own)
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a cupcake pan with liners. Set aside.
- Next, you’ll want to combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl by whisking together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
- Beat the softened butter and oil in a large bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, for 3 minutes, until the texture is smooth.
- Slowly add the granulated sugar while beating on low. Switch to high once added, and beat for an additional 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one by one, mixing completely after the addition of each egg.
- Pour the vanilla into the mixture.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the large bowl of batter, and then half the buttermilk, and beat, then add the remaining half and beat again, until the batter is light and fluffy.
- Fill each of the cupcake liners no more than 3/4 of the way full.
- Transfer the pan to the oven, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven, transfer the pan to a cooling rack, and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Fit a pastry bag with the 1M star tip and add your frosting of choice, then frost the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
To Make This Gluten Free:
Use a combination of 1:1 ratio gluten-free flour and cornstarch to create your own gluten-free cake flour
Use salted butter in your gluten-free baking (instead of unsalted) for added flavor
Buttermilk Recipe:
Add 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature, stir, and then use it in this recipe.
Additional Notes:
Make sure you use room temperature butter for maximum rise during the whipping process.
Do not fill liners more than 3/4 full.
Meet the Creator
Hi there, I’m Sarah Nenni-Daher. I’m a crafty gal and always have at least 14 projects going at once. I am a crafter, designer, DIYer, and pattern maker. I share my creations here and in the Ruffles and Rain Boots® Shop.
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots®, you’ll find DIY gnomes, crafts, gifts, cupcakes, laser crafts, and so much more. I love sharing video tutorials over on YouTube and chatting with other crafters in my Facebook groups. We’d love to have you!