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Best Classic Birthday Cake Cupcakes with Easy Sprinkle Frosting

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These classic birthday cake cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and topped with a creamy vanilla sprinkle frosting. Perfect for any celebration, they’re simple enough for a Tuesday but special enough for a party.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 ½ cups (420g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Lightly spray liners with non-stick cooking spray if desired.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt for about 20 seconds. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light, pale, and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape sides and bottom halfway through.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined.
  5. With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients and milk alternately: one-third of flour mixture, half of milk, another third of flour, remaining milk, and final third of flour. Mix just until combined after each addition. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For frosting: In a clean bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing on low. Add milk, vanilla, and salt. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently.
  9. Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost with a piping bag fitted with a star tip or spread with a knife. Top with extra sprinkles if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Do not overmix batter. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting. For extra crunch, toast sprinkles in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake cupcakes, sprinkle frosting, vanilla cupcakes, classic cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/best-classic-birthday-cake-cupcakes-with-easy-sprinkle-frosting/