Hi, I’m looking for a wonderful cupcake recipe. I have received some really cute cupcake books but when i make them they aren’t real tasty. :(
I need a good vanilla or white colored cupcake for people who don’t want chocolate. Id love it to be moist with a great flavor and nice icing to compliment the cake. And of course a chocolate one too! I was also wondering if you can use a cake recipe to make cupcakes because it seems cupcakes have lighter and less ingredients in them. Can any one help?

I’ve always used cake recipes or mixed for cupcakes. Just fill the cups 2/3 to 3/4 full. As far as time, you’re on your own, there are too many variables to give you a definite answer. Usually between 12-20 minutes. When they are brown and look to be about done, check them with a toothpick.

Hope this helps!

I use cake recipes also…...sometimes cake mixes, depending on how much time I have.  Occasionally I use a pound cake recipe.  The cupcakes may be a little heavier but they are very moist if they’re not overcooked.  My oven is “hot-natured” so I’ve found that I have to decrease the cooking time, esp. when I’m baking anything.

As far as icing goes, I don’t think you can beat the basic cream cheese icing.  And I’ll have to admit that once again, depending on time, I have used a bought icing!

Thankyou for the advice. And taking the time to respond.:D

Just read this on Paula’s Get Cookin’ site.  I have not tried it but I remember seeing the cupcake episode on Paula’s Best Dishes.  Paula loved them. 

Old-Fashioned Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
1 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2   sticks unsalted butter, cut into cubes
4   large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Old Fashioned Frosting, recipe follows

Old-Fashioned Frosting:
2 sticks butter, room temperature
8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or other flavoring
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. 

Combine in a bowl both flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix on low speed until combined for about 3 minutes. Add in cubed butter, mixing until just coated with flour. 

Add eggs 1 at a time until combined. Slowly add milk and vanilla to batter until completely mixed scraping down the bowl as you mix. 

Scoop batter into baking cups filling about 2/3 full. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes. 

Cool and decorate with Old Fashioned Frosting. 

Old-Fashioned Frosting:
Cream softened butter and add 4 cups sugar, milk and vanilla. Beat with paddle attachment until smooth gradually add the rest of sugar to reach frosting consistency*. 

*Cook’s Note: Add more sugar to get this consistency. 

Prep Time - 15 minutes
Cook Time - 20 minutes
Yield - 24 cupcakes
Difficulty - Easy

Recipe Courtesy Paula’s Best Dishes

Do you ever check out Paula’s new forum Get Cookin’?  I don’t check it daily, and I don’t know my way around the site very well.  But it looks like cupcakes are the featured topic right now.  There will probably be a lot of great ideas on there.

Chocolate cupcake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces melted unsweetened baking chocolate
Chocolate Cupcake Recipe Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Combine all ingredients into large mixing bowl.  Mix at low speed for 30 seconds, and scrape bowl.  Mix at high speed for 3 minutes.

Fill liners 1/2 to 2/3 full of batter.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in pans then remove from pan, and place on wire racks to cool completely.

Frost when chocolate cupcakes are completely cool.