Best Ever Cupcakes Recipes

THE 35 BEST CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Choose a recipe that looks tasty. Try something you haven't had before, it's fun to experiment!
• Make a shopping list and buy the ingredients.
• Bake your new favorite Cupcake Recipe!

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together the buttermilk, coffee, oil, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl.
• Pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the bowl then add the remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine. Scrape down the bowl and paddle. Increase the speed to medium and beat for a full minute.
• Fill the prepared cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• For the frosting: Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over simmering water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the simmering water and let it cool until room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, drizzle in the melted chocolate and beat until completely blended. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Decoratively pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.

BEST CUPCAKES EVER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F Spray 18 cupcake tins with Pam; fill with paper liners and spray with Pam again.
• To make the batter, cream the butter and sugar at high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Stir together the flour, cornstarch, salt and baking soda in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined.
• Fill each prepared paper-lined muffin tins about 2/3 full with the batter, and fill any empty tins with a little water. Bake in the center of the oven for about 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before icing.
• To make the icing, beat together the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla just until smooth.
• Spread the icing onto each cupcake, and top half with 3 raspberries in a little group, and top the other half with 4 blueberries in a little square. You can also experiment with other berries or fruit, such as blackberries, figs, diced peaches or diced strawberries.

THE BEST HOMEMADE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Combine sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs together in a second bowl for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Beat milk, oil, and vanilla extract together in another large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until incorporated. Add the flour mixture in increments, making sure it mixes in well. Fold in eggs. Scoop batter into the prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.