Yellow Cupcakes with Creamy Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Happy Halloween! Halloween is my daughter’s favorite holiday. It’s just fun to dress up… and candy is involved. 🙂

She had two friends over for a Halloween themed “dinner party” a couple of weeks ago. I made these moist and delicious cupcakes for dessert. I was very pleased when she announced that they were the best cupcakes she’s ever had! ❤

This recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Claire Saffitz. It is part of a list named BA’s Best, a collection of essential recipes. I halved the cupcake recipe and doubled the frosting ratio.

We decorated them with candy eyes and sprinkles to make them festive for the occasion. They decorated caramel apples in the same fashion. Fun and tasty.

Yield: 12 frosted cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups plus 2 1/2 T cake flour, sifted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 T baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1/2 T pieces
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 T vegetable oil
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 T vanilla extract

1. Arrange rack in the center of the oven; preheat to 400°, preferably on convection. (If doubling the recipe, arrange the racks in the upper and lower third of the oven.)
2. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
4. Add butter, buttermilk, and oil and beat on medium speed, scraping down sides of bowl, until smooth.
5. Whisk egg yolks, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth.
6. Add egg mixture to flour mixture in 2 additions, beating well between additions.
7. Continue to beat on medium speed until mixture is homogenous and very thick, about 2 minutes.
8. Using a scoop, divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling two-thirds full (a level ⅓ cup batter per cupcake).
9. Bake 5 minutes in the preheated 400° oven, then reduce oven temperature to 350°.
10. Continue baking, rotating pans halfway through, until cupcakes have domed and spring back when touched in the center, 14 (on convection for 12 cupcakes) or up to 20-25 minutes in a standard oven.
11. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Note: If doubling the cupcake recipe, use 7 egg yolks plus 1 large egg.

Do Ahead: Cupcakes can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature (unfrosted) or in the refrigerator (frosted).

For the Creamy Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 pinch of kosher salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 T vanilla extract

1. Using an electric mixer on medium-low speed, beat cream cheese, butter, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated, then increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla.
4. Pipe the frosting on cupcakes.

Note: The frosting recipe can be halved if it’s going to be spread instead of piped onto the cupcakes.

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

View all posts by Josette@thebrookcook →