White Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream

I’ve been searching for a go-to white cupcake recipe for a while now. I feel like any baker should have go-to recipes for a few classics. White cake, chocolate cake, brownies, pie crust, chocolate chip cookies, and sugar cookies are the ones I would like to have a go-to recipe for.

To have a go-to recipe is a huge deal. It means that no matter what other recipes you see of that type, you’re not even interested in trying them because you know that your recipe is awesome. It’s the recipe that you learn by heart and don’t even need to read because you’ve made it so many times. It’s the recipe that everyone loves and asks for when they taste it. It’s a recipe that people request over and over again even though they know you love to try new recipes and your to-bake list is a mile long.

The go-to recipe can make your life easy. But getting to a go-to recipe is not easy. Trying multiple recipes, making tweaks, having restless nights contemplating ingredients are all part of the process. At least that is what the process has been like for me. I’ve tried multiple white cake recipes and I’m still not completely sold. This one is great. I love the texture of this cake, but I really want a cupcake that will rise up a bit. I like domes on my cupcakes. Maybe I’m asking too much to have a delicate tender cake that also produces a dome on top. This will be my go-to-for-now white cupcake recipe until I can find one that has everything I’m looking for. But don’t let me give the wrong impression. These cupcakes are AMAZING! Everyone really enjoyed them.

I got this recipe from Bridget over at The Way the Cookie Crumbles. Have you seen her blog? It’s awesome. I love her photographs and her comparison posts! She inspired me to do a sugar cookie comparison post a couple years ago and I took her advice on the outcome of the red velvet cupcake comparison post with great results. So I’ve been wanting to try her white cake recipe. She combined the favorite parts of a couple recipes to make her own. How cool is that?

Note – this recipe calls for 6 egg whites. Bridget recommended actually separating out the eggs as opposed to using liquid egg whites. I made these the same day I made the lemon bars since those called for 7 egg yolks so it worked out perfectly for me. Another great idea is to make some creme brulee with the yolks!

One Year Ago: Sugar Cookie Bars (a go-to bar recipe for sure!)

Don’t forget about my giveaway. Be sure to enter by Midnight this Friday for your chance to win a Make-Ahead Meals Cookbook.

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White Cupcakes

These white cupcakes are perfectly tender and moist.

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 cup + 2 Tbsp whole milk, at room temperature
6 large egg whites (3/4 cup), at room temperature
2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
12 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened but still cool

1 batch buttercream

Directions:

Set oven rack in middle position. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Pour milk, egg whites, and extracts into 2-cup glass measure, and mix with fork until blended.

Mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of electric mixer at slow speed. Add butter; continue beating at slow speed until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no powdery streaks remaining.

Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed (or high speed if using handheld mixer) for 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk mixture and beat 30 seconds more. Stop mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Return mixer to medium (or high) speed and beat 20 seconds longer.

Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake until thin skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-17 minutes. (If baking layer cakes, this recipe will make two 9-inch layers. Bake for 23-25 minutes).

Cool completely prior to frosting.

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90 Responses to “Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Patty Frosting and A Giveaway!”

  1. #
    1
    A — December 6, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Peppermint for sure

  2. #
    2
    Lucy — December 6, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    Love all things pumpkin this time of year!
    ralphlucy at comcast.net

  3. #
    3
    JL — December 6, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    The richness of eggnog is one of my fave parts of the holiday season
    jlynch6341@aol.com

  4. #
    4
    Mrs. Walk — December 6, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I can’t decide if it’s peppermint or pumpkin! Oooh or egg nog!

  5. #
    5
    Cathy B. @ Brightbakes — December 6, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    yet another choc/peppermint combination to tempt me. Oh my! These look lovely! Peppermint is Christmas to me!

  6. #
    6
    Cathy B. @ Brightbakes — December 6, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I tweeted too! breit85@gmail.com
    love,
    cathy b. @ brightbakes

  7. #
    7
    Jene — December 6, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    I looooooooooooooooooooooove chocolate and peppermint. Especially when the chocolate is hot and the peppermint is liquor. Or any other way, really.

  8. #
    8
    Cara — December 6, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    Oh I love Pumpkin and Peppermint! Two things my husband hates!

  9. #
    9
    Ashley — December 6, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Apple Cider!! I drink it all winter long.

    smartash1218@yahoo.com

  10. #
    10
    Loan LyPham-Ferry — December 6, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Definately chocolate and peppermint or anything heavy on the cinnamon and nutmeg! Too bad I can’t win these liners with your cupcakes already in them! They look wonderful!

  11. #
    11
    Kathy — December 6, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    I <3 peppermint, it's a guilty pleasure. Also that I get to overeat gingerbread. That's where i pudge at the holidays, with Gingerbread flavor. its decadent and delicous.

    Also: my word verification is redip. which entertains me.

  12. #
    12
    Linda and Matthew — December 6, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    I love the chocolate/peppermint combo.

  13. #
    13
    Lisa — December 6, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    My favorite holiday sweet is gingerbread cookies. rhisomers(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. #
    14
    Kathy — December 6, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    I tweeted it. and bragged you up.

  15. #
    15
    amanda @ fake ginger — December 6, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    So weird that it came out so thin for you! Maybe I should’ve specified what size can? Whoops. Anyway, I used a 14 ounce can and it came out pretty thick. Weird. I’m going to update my recipe with size now. 😉

    The cupcakes look great anyway! 🙂

  16. #
    16
    amanda @ fake ginger — December 6, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    Okay, ignore me. Apparently I only used 3/4 of a cup of the condensed milk. Seriously, the cold weather is messing with my head.

  17. #
    17
    Kris @ everywhereorange.com — December 6, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    I love chocolate and coconut this time of year. oh and of course marshmallow!
    goorsky at g mail dot com

  18. #
    18
    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — December 6, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I agree – I love chocolate and peppermint this time of year. And your idea to fill the cupcakes w/peppermint and top w/chocolate ganache sounds amazing! But really who minds a bit of a mess when eating something so tasty?

  19. #
    19
    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — December 6, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Just tweeted

  20. #
    20
    suzannah {so much shouting, so much laughter} — December 6, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    yum, these look delicious. i love homemade eggnog this time of year:)

  21. #
    21
    Sarah — December 6, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Chocolate and Peppermint is a classic xmas combo that I just love.

  22. #
    22
    Daisy — December 6, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    ive been drinking peppermint mocha lattes like they’re going out of style. definitely a favorite combo! I love gingerbread this time of year too!

  23. #
    23
    Laura and Alex — December 6, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    I love my Grandma’s almond puff 🙂 Soooo yummy

  24. #
    24
    Valerie — December 6, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    I’m lovin’ everything almond! Banket is a holiday staple at our house & I can’t get enough almond paste!

  25. #
    25
    Sarah — December 6, 2010 at 6:06 pm

    I’m partial to peppermint, especially those Andes Peppermint Chocolates. They’re like crack.
    sarah(dot)chverchko(at)gmail(dot)com

  26. #
    26
    KV — December 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Anything chocolate!

  27. #
    27
    maNda — December 6, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    my fav is peppermint! i love candycanes and mint choc! 🙂

    mandaala.blogspot.com

  28. #
    28
    mom — December 6, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    any kind dessert that looks “Christmas-y” is on my list!

  29. #
    29
    Amanda — December 6, 2010 at 6:53 pm

    I am in complete agreement- chocolate-peppermint is my favorite!!!

  30. #
    30
    Kirsty — December 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor: Rum. Rum in Truffles, rum in eggnog, Rum in banana muffins, rum in pineapple upside down cakes…..yup, rum. 🙂

  31. #
    31
    Cara — December 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    peppermint and chocolate is one of my favorite holiday flavors, but you know I have to remain loyal to pumpkin!

  32. #
    32
    CT Cupcake — December 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    those look so good! peppermint is by far my fave holiday flavor!
    but really also love buttery goodness in cookies. hmmm.
    ctcupcake8@yahoo.com

  33. #
    33
    EliFla — December 6, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    GREAT!!!! hugs, Flavia

  34. #
    34
    sarah — December 6, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Peppermint (ideally with chocolate)!

  35. #
    35
    Rebecca — December 6, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    Those look amazing!

  36. #
    36
    DaniD — December 6, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    I love mint chocolate and for the holidays put amaretto in EVERYTHING.

  37. #
    37
    Fashion Meets Food — December 6, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    I am kind of peppermint obsessed so I absolutely love your cupcakes. Not to mention a peppermint patty frosting just sounds like pure bliss!

    xo

    ps I am your newest follower

  38. #
    38
    Mom-in-law — December 6, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Molasses. Or coconut. And butter. Those are the dominant flavors in three of my favorite holiday cookies. nsp429@gmail.com

  39. #
    39
    Eva — December 6, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    I’m also on the peppermint bandwagon!

  40. #
    40
    Shelly — December 6, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Chocolate and peppermint defo!
    shelly8806@hotmail.com

  41. #
    41
    Megan — December 6, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I didn’t used to love the whole chocolate peppermint combo until I made an amazing cake from Bon Appetit last year. Now I’m hooked. I just ate a peppermint chocolate cookie for lunch today.

    Those wrappers are so cute!

  42. #
    42
    Aimee B — December 6, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    Pumpkin for sure. I love my pumpkin choc chip muffins! sunshine4342 at juno dot com

  43. #
    43
    Blog is the New Black — December 6, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Yum! I am all about mint, and so is my bf.

  44. #
    44
    Viviann — December 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    PUMPKIN PUMPKIN PUMPKIN!!! Can’t get enough!
    chocomuncher88 @ yahoo . com

  45. #
    45
    Caroline — December 6, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Peppermint and gingerbread. YUM!

    cmerrey at gmail dot com

  46. #
    46
    URBakin'MeCrazyy — December 6, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    My favorite flavor would have to be Egg Nog, or Peppermint :)!

    meggie_sue@woh.rr.com

  47. #
    47
    Heather — December 6, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    Peppermint for sure!!!

  48. #
    48
    Theresa Connolly — December 6, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Silly I know but I love Fruitcake in all its yummy, rummy goodness.

  49. #
    49
    kitchenmisfit — December 6, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Love eggnog! And mulled cider.

    – Amanda

  50. #
    50
    Alexis — December 6, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    I love peppermint and pumpkin best! 🙂

  51. #
    51
    Ashley — December 7, 2010 at 12:30 am

    Cinnamon!

  52. #
    52
    Amanda — December 7, 2010 at 12:44 am

    Peppermint is definitely my fave! cnahorvath@yahoo.com

  53. #
    53
    nicole — December 7, 2010 at 1:04 am

    my favorite holiday flavor is eggnog. I think I could eat or drink about anything with eggnog

  54. #
    54
    Rebecca — December 7, 2010 at 1:17 am

    Pumpkin pie spice 🙂 … in everything from homemade pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin bread! My fav!

  55. #
    55
    jane deere — December 7, 2010 at 1:36 am

    Peppermint for me! These cupcakes look delicious…love the baking liners!

  56. #
    56
    Patricia — December 7, 2010 at 1:37 am

    It’s a toss up between pumpkin and chocolate/peppermint.
    phjones21@yahoo.com

  57. #
    57
    Nutmeg Nanny — December 7, 2010 at 1:59 am

    These cupcakes look awesome! They are so pretty 🙂

    Such a fun giveaway too. My favorite holiday flavors are ginger and molasses….yum!

  58. #
    58
    Melissa — December 7, 2010 at 2:50 am

    Eggnog for sure!!! I just made Eggnog cookies that are actually TOO good….I can’t stay away!

  59. #
    59
    Sherry G — December 7, 2010 at 3:08 am

    I love simple molasses cookies! Molasses is one of my favorite things this time of year=)

  60. #
    60
    becksterslaboratory — December 7, 2010 at 3:24 am

    I am SO with you on the chocolate/mint combo! Beyond delicious! I always make some peppermint biscotti at this time of year – yum! : )

  61. #
    61
    Anonymous — December 7, 2010 at 3:27 am

    love the combo of peppermint and chocolate. also love KA flour – use it all the time.

    jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net

  62. #
    62
    Anne @thefitbridesmaid — December 7, 2010 at 4:13 am

    Well they look delicious! But I can see the pain of the ooziness!

  63. #
    63
    Taylor — December 7, 2010 at 4:19 am

    Peppermint and chocolate is my favorite!

  64. #
    64
    Elizabeth — December 7, 2010 at 4:29 am

    I love sweet things – especially egg nog!

  65. #
    65
    Nina — December 7, 2010 at 5:52 am

    Peppermint – I get addicted to peppermint mochas this time of year.

  66. #
    66
    Tyler — December 7, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Mint chocolate! Yum!!

  67. #
    67
    Jessica Falksen — December 7, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Cranberry! I think this started when we were giving our ‘grown up’ drink for Christmas Eve dinner. The real adults had wine and we had cran-raspberry juice for the kids version.

    jfalksen at gmail dot com

  68. #
    68
    The Small Boston Kitchen — December 7, 2010 at 11:36 am

    As always, your post makes me want to lick my computer screen! I made your Snickerdoodle brownies the other day and I ate just about the whole pan. By myself. Need to give away the rest and then make them again because they made my apt smell AMAZING!

  69. #
    69
    Lindsay — December 7, 2010 at 11:43 am

    chocolate and mint, yum!

    ljyoung85 at gmail.com

  70. #
    70
    Ange — December 7, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Coconut is my favorite! I put in mostly everything I bake during this time of year.

  71. #
    71
    Tiffany — December 7, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    I love sweet things at this time of year. Especially the peppermint bark or candy cane hershey kisses.

  72. #
    72
    Shannon — December 7, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    I love anything eggnog flavored, especially baked goods. Mint is a good one too.

  73. #
    73
    Lara @ GoodCookDoris — December 7, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    Peppermint hot chocolate! Or caramel…or pumpkin….

  74. #
    74
    Shannon — December 7, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    ooh, for the holidays i’d have to go with eggnog or peppermint!

  75. #
    75
    Maureen — December 7, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    I love peppermint! Can’t get enough of it this time of year!

  76. #
    76
    Kasey — December 7, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor has to be molasses. We have a family cookie recipe involving molasses that never gets old!

  77. #
    77
    Katy — December 7, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    Almond flavoring goes into several of our cookies- including the candy cane cookies. The combo of almond with mint makes for a great cookie!! Eggnog and chex mix add to this yummy Christmas Eve combination.

  78. #
    78
    Suzi — December 7, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor is sweet – the chocolate-peppermint combo, mmm!

  79. #
    79
    susieq — December 7, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Vanilla (as in the icing on my mother-in-law’s fabulously delicious sugar cookies). Mmmm….

  80. #
    80
    Jessie — December 8, 2010 at 12:52 am

    Chocolate is my favorite flavor year round!

  81. #
    81
    Liana Engie — December 8, 2010 at 9:16 am

    I’m not sure if I have a favorite holiday flavor… I’ve been sitting here thinking about it for a few minutes. Mint perhaps? But not in excessive amounts.

  82. #
    82
    Amy — December 8, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor is really my favorite year round flavor — cinnamon! I love cinnamon anything.

  83. #
    83
    Amber2Zoe — December 8, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Hood Golden Egg Nog – yum!

  84. #
    84
    CoCo — December 8, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Egg nog. I discovered Silk Egg Nog flavor as well as the See’s egg nog truffle this year. So happy.

  85. #
    85
    Maria — December 8, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    amazing! can’t wait to bake them!

  86. #
    86
    bbscabral — December 9, 2010 at 3:24 am

    I love anything that is baked with eggnog! This year I’m thinking I might have to try to make eggnog truffles! YUM!

    bbscabral@gmail.com

  87. #
    87
    Rachel Blumenthal — December 9, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Peppermint and chocolate used to be my favorite flavor combo, but lately it’s become chili pepper and chocolate. I love the juxtaposition of spicy and sweet!

  88. #
    88
    Kimmy Bingham — December 9, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    Pumpkin for Thanksgiving-time, eggnog for Christmas-time. I always forget how much I love eggnog until the time is here! 🙂

  89. #
    89
    Sheetal — December 9, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    pumpkin bread! hbhalsod@gmail.com

  90. #
    90
    Carolyn — December 9, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    I worship KAF. I mean WORSHIP! So I would love to win this one. My fave flavour combo for the holidays is probably chocolate and mint too, but I am really into gingerbread these days.

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