Birthday Cupcakes

These Birthday Cupcakes are the perfect addition to any party! They are super easy to make, bursting with vanilla flavor, and look so cute with rainbow sprinkles. Adults and kids alike are going to love eating this fun, sweet treat!

Looking for more tasty cupcake recipes to try? Make these ones next: Samoa Cupcakes, Raspberry Vanilla Cupcakes, and Strawberry Cupcakes. 

Birthday Cupcake Recipe

Forget the stress of frosting a big ol’ birthday cake – these birthday cupcakes are here to save the day! These adorable mini-cakes are just as delicious as a traditional birthday cake. Plus, they are way easier to whip up, too! There’s no need to worry about piecing together a fussy layer cake here. These cupcakes bake up perfectly every time, leaving you with the perfect canvas for decorating!

These easy and delicious cupcakes are light and fluffy, bursting with vanilla flavor, and perfect for customizing to match any birthday theme. Whether you frost them with classic vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting or go wild with rainbow sprinkles, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with birthday party guests of all ages.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Birthday cupcakes are here to be the hero of your party. They’re just as delicious, but way easier to make than a cake.
• Perfectly Portioned: Cupcakes are the ultimate crowd-pleasers. These individual treats are portion-controlled perfection, ideal for both kids and adults. Plus, they’re easy to grab and go, making them ideal for parties.
• Customizable: Decorate them with vibrant frosting swirls, lots of sprinkles, or even fun candies to match your birthday theme.

How to Make This Birthday Cupcake Recipe

Follow the steps below, and in no time, you’ll be baking a batch of fluffy, vanilla cupcakes that are ready to be frosted and decorated! As always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. Add eggs to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and and beat 10-20 seconds. Add granulated sugar and continue to beat for 30 seconds. Add vanilla extract and oil and continue beating until combined.
3. Slowly add about half of the flour mixture. 
4. Add the milk, then the rest of the flour and the sour cream. Beat until just combined.
5. Gently fold the sprinkles into the batter until even distributed.
6. Evenly fill cupcake liners until about two-thirds full and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Cool cupcakes in the pan for a few minutes, then finish cooling on a wire rack.
7. Frost each birthday cupcake with buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting and finish with more sprinkles on top. Enjoy!

Storage Information

The best way to store your cupcakes depends on whether they have been frosted or not.

• Frosted:
  • Room Temperature: Frosted cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator: If you need to store your frosted cupcakes for longer, you can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them sit at room temperature before serving to improve the flavor and texture.
• Unfrosted:
  • Room Temperature: Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerator: Unfrosted cupcakes can only be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Unfrosted cupcakes tend to try out faster.
• Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze both frosted and unfrosted cupcakes. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cupcakes will stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Variations to Try

• For a fruity twist, swap half the milk for fresh orange juice or add a cup of mashed berries.
• Get creative with different frosting flavors like chocolate or peanut butter.
• Sprinkles are the confetti of the cupcake world! Choose a rainbow blend for a classic look, or match the birthday theme with themed sprinkles (think dinosaurs for a dino party or sports balls for a sports fan).
• Fold in chopped chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for extra texture and flavor.
• Pipe some fruit jam, Nutella, or whipped cream into the center before frosting.
• Get creative with cupcake liners! Use colorful or patterned liners to match the birthday theme.

Do I have to use cake flour?

Cake flour has a lower protein content than traditional all-purpose flour, which results in a more tender, delicate crumb in the finished product. If you cannot find or access cake flour, you can make your own cake flour substitute. Add 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour to a bowl. Remove 2 ½ tablespoons of the flour, and add 2 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Use this mixture in place of the cake flour!

Trish’s Tips

• For a smoother batter, remove the eggs, milk, sour cream, and butter from the fridge about 30 minutes before you start baking.
• Don’t overmix your batter! Once the dry ingredients are incorporated with the wet, stop mixing. Overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes.
• Aim to fill your cupcake liners about 2/3 full. This will prevent them from overflowing in the oven and ensure even baking.
• Don’t frost warm cupcakes! Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. This prevents the frosting from melting and keeps your happy birthday cupcakes looking their best.
• Apply sprinkles immediately after frosting your cupcakes. This ensures they stick better and won’t just roll off.

More Cupcake Recipes to Make

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
2. Red Velvet Cupcakes
3. Vanilla Cupcakes with Coffee Buttercream
4. Chocolate Kahlua Cupcakes
5. Lemon Cupcakes