Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles
Moist, classic vanilla cupcakes topped with colorful sprinkles for a joyful, crowd-pleasing dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Step 2: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Step 3: Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
- Step 4: Divide batter evenly among lined muffin cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 5: Cool cupcakes in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, press 1 tbsp colored sprinkles into the top of each cupcake.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Vanilla Cupcakes with Colored Sprinkles?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A classic that never fails. The sprinkles added such a fun touch.
- ★★★★★
Loved the simplicity and the perfect texture. My kids couldn't stop eating them!
- ★★★★★
These cupcakes were perfect for my daughter's birthday party! The vanilla flavor was just right and the sprinkles made them so festive.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
