Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes

Christmas is a season filled with joy, cheer, and delicious treats. Among the many festive goodies, Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes stand out as a delightful option. These sweet treats, topped with creamy frosting and fresh berries, are perfect for holiday gatherings and celebrations. Their soft and moist texture paired with a rich vanilla flavor makes them a favorite for many.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes is a great way to bring holiday cheer into your kitchen. Not only are they simple to prepare, but they also look beautiful and taste fantastic. These cupcakes are ideal for sharing with friends and family, and they can also make a lovely gift. Plus, the aroma of freshly baked vanilla cupcakes will fill your home with a warm, welcoming scent, perfect for the holiday season.

How to Make Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature (for frosting)
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Powdered sugar, for garnish
Fresh raspberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes until thick and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Lower the mixer speed to medium. Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until incorporated but be careful not to overmix. Scrape the bowl as needed.
Evenly divide the batter among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat together the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large French tip. Pipe the frosting in a swirl pattern on top of each cooled cupcake.
Garnish with powdered sugar and fresh raspberries for a festive touch. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

How to Serve Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes

Serve your Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes at room temperature for the best taste. They make a perfect dessert on their own or can be paired with a warm cup of hot cocoa or holiday-themed beverages. The cute decorations with frosting and fruit make them a beautiful centerpiece on any dessert table during your holiday gatherings.

How to Store Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Just be sure to let them come back to room temperature before serving for better taste and texture.

Tips to Make Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes

Always use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
Feel free to customize the frosting with different flavors if you want to change things up a bit.
Make sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them to prevent melting.

Variations

You can add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter for a different flavor. Additionally, you could swap out the raspberries for other fresh fruits, like strawberries or blueberries, to suit your taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can use regular milk, but the texture may be slightly different. To mimic buttermilk, add 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar to your milk and let it sit for a few minutes before using.

2. Can I make these in advance?
Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and frost them closer to the time you plan to serve them.

3. Can I freeze the cupcakes?
Yes, you can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.

Enjoy baking these delightful Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes and create wonderful memories with your loved ones this holiday season!