White Cupcakes with Fluffy Egg White frosting Recipe
These light and fluffy White Cupcakes are perfect for any celebration or a sweet treat. Featuring a delicate vanilla flavor enhanced by a touch of almond extract, these cupcakes boast a tender crumb thanks to the combination of cake flour, buttermilk, and whipped egg whites. Topped with classic vanilla buttercream frosting, they are sure to impress both in taste and presentation.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cupcake Batter
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup neutral cooking oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
- 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 ½ cups cake flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature preferred
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature preferred
Frosting
- ½ batch vanilla frosting (such as vanilla buttercream frosting)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside to ensure even baking.
- Beat Butter: Place the softened butter into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until the butter is smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Oil: Gradually add the granulated sugar and neutral cooking oil to the creamed butter, beating until the mixture is creamy and well combined. This ensures moisture and sweetness are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Flavorings: Stir in the clear vanilla extract and optional almond extract until fully combined to infuse the batter with delicate flavor notes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Add approximately one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Then fold in about half of the buttermilk. Repeat this alternation until all the flour mixture and buttermilk have been incorporated, mixing gently by hand to avoid overworking the batter.
- Whip Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, using an electric mixer start beating the egg whites on low speed, gradually increasing to high until stiff peaks form. The egg whites should be thick and voluminous, holding their shape firmly.
- Fold in Egg Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter using a spatula, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to combine thoroughly. Take care not to deflate the mixture by over-mixing.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared cupcake liners, filling each no more than ¾ full to allow space for rising.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 17 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Frost: Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate with your favorite vanilla frosting, such as vanilla buttercream, before serving.
Notes
- Use clear vanilla extract to keep the batter white and maintain the delicate flavor.
- Whipping the egg whites separately and folding them in gently helps create a lighter, fluffier cupcake texture.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the frosting.
- Room temperature ingredients (butter, buttermilk, egg whites) are essential for proper mixing and batter consistency.
- Vanilla buttercream frosting pairs perfectly but feel free to use any frosting of your choice.
Keywords: white cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, fluffy cupcakes, buttercream frosting, homemade cupcakes, vanilla frosting, party dessert