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Everyone needs a perfect vanilla cupcake recipe for all special occasions. Not only are these super easy to make but they are so customizable that you can make them for pretty much any event or gathering. Plus they are gluten and grain-free, making them suitable for those who can’t tolerate typical bakery cupcakes.
If you have read some of my previous posts, you know I have a special place in my heart for cupcakes. For some reason, a slice of cake is just not as exciting as a cupcake. Even if they are made with the same exact ingredients. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s just me. 🙂
Anywho, a little while back, I shared my recipe for the Easiest Chocolate Cupcakes. While it is hard to believe, there are people who are not a fan of chocolate. And when I’m cooking or baking, especially if it’s something sweet and special, I want to make sure everyone’s tastes are included. So here we are with today’s recipe.
Easiest Vanilla Cupcakes – Made With a Secret Ingredient
If you read the Easiest Chocolate Cupcakes post, you will have seen that I used a secret ingredient to make those cupcakes super easy. It may have shocked some of you, especially those of you who have been with me since the beginning and know my stance on using pre-made ingredients.
Well, I’m here to tell you that my Easiest Vanilla Cupcakes also use a secret ingredient. Before we get to that though, let me tell you exactly what I’d use if I were going to go to my pantry and grab everything I needed for vanilla cupcakes. If I were going to make gluten and grain-free cupcakes from scratch, these are the ingredients I would use:
- Almond flour
- Tapioca starch or arrowroot flour
- Cocoa powder
- Coconut sugar or allulose (if it needed to be low-carb)
- Baking powder or baking soda
- Sea salt
- Eggs
- Milk
- Coconut oil or melted butter/ghee
- Vanilla extract (and maybe some other flavors if desired)
So, what’s this secret ingredient?
Wait for it…
It’s a BOXED mix!!
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP!!!!!
How on earth could I use a pre-made, boxed ingredient to create a real food recipe?
Well, because there is an awesome brand called Simple Mills and they make baking mixes using the exact same ingredients that I would. And since we downsized our living space earlier this year, I just don’t have space to keep the massive amount of ingredients on hand that I used to.
Here are the ingredients in the Simple Mills Vanilla Cupcake and Cake Mix:
- Almond Flour
- Organic Coconut Sugar
- Arrowroot
- Organic Coconut Flour
- Baking Soda
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Bean
This post is in no way sponsored by Simple Mills. As far as I know, they don’t know my blog even exists (but if they do, hello!). But I have been using their products for years (since they first came on the market) and I love them. And since everyone is looking for easier, healthier recipes, I wanted to share this one with you.
Notes About Easiest Vanilla Cupcakes
Even though I am using a premade mix, I do often tweak the recipe to make it a little more exciting. Here are some of my notes and suggestions.
The box instructions call for vanilla extract, but I love using vanilla bean paste when I have it on hand. I love seeing the little dark flecks of vanilla bean in the cake, and I feel like the paste gives you a richer vanilla flavor than plain extract does.
You can use any oil you like, but I prefer melted butter or ghee. You could use refined coconut oil (which doesn’t have the coconut flavor) too and if you want to go for a tropical theme, you could definitely use virgin coconut oil and add in some shredded coconut or even some crushed pineapple. Psst…the recipe for this is in the works so I can’t give you specifics right now.
I always use coconut milk or almond milk instead of water. I think it gives better flavor and texture.
Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature! It makes a difference, especially with the eggs.
If you’re making them for a birthday party or for little kids, adding sprinkles to the batter is an excellent way to jazz things up. It’s reminiscent of the funfetti cupcakes you can buy in the store. Judee’s Natural Rainbow Sprinkles, Rainbow Pop! Natural Nonpareil Sprinkles, and Watkins Gourmet Decorating Sprinkles are a few good options.
You can use any frosting you want for these Easy Vanilla Cupcakes. I love my Easy Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting, but if you’re not a fan of chocolate, Simple Mills also makes a very clean vanilla frosting that is great in a pinch.
If you want some extra pizazz, you can top these cupcakes with anything you like. I love sprinkles when I’m feeling fun, but I am partial to berries and/or white chocolate shavings too. I think they add such a lightness to the vanilla cake and frosting. You could also do chopped chocolate bars, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, my homemade sugar-free caramel sauce, or whatever else your heart desires!
Want Some More Cupcake Recipes?
I have a feeling this recipe for the Easiest Vanilla Cupcakes will quickly become your go-to. But, on the off chance you want something else, I have a few other delicious cupcake recipes you can choose from. While they are not as easy as today’s recipe, they are still delicious!
- Easiest Chocolate Cupcakes
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes and Rich Chocolate Orange Frosting
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Filling
- Gingerbread Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting
And if these are not enough to keep your taste buds happy, make sure you check out my free dessert eBook below the recipe card. It’s filled with delicious, allergen-friendly recipes that are exclusive to that book!
Easiest Vanilla Cupcakes :: Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar Free
Everyone needs a perfect vanilla cupcake recipe for all special occasions. Not only are these super easy to make but they are so customizable that you can make them for pretty much any event or gathering. Plus they are gluten and grain free, making them suitable for those who can't tolerate typical bakery cupcakes.
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup melted butter, ghee, or oil of your choice
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 1 tbsp vanilla paste
- 1 box of Simple Mills Vanilla Cupcake and Muffin Mix
- 1 batch of my Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting OR frosting of your choice
- Sprinkles, shredded coconut, berries, chopped nuts, or any other topping of your choice
Instructions
- Combine the eggs, melted butter or oil, milk, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until fully combined.
- Pour into muffin liners and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let cool completely before frosting.
- Frost with the frosting of your choice and any toppings you desire.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
-
Simple Mills Almond Flour Baking Mix, Vanilla Cupcake & Cake Mix - Gluten Free, Plant Based, Paleo Friendly, 11.5 Ounce (Pack of 1) -
Bulletproof Grass-Fed Ghee, Quality Clarified Butter Fat -
Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk, 25.36 fl oz (Pack of 6) -
Native Vanilla - All Natural Pure Vanilla Bean Paste - 4 Fl Oz - For the Home Chef for Cooking Baking and Dessert Making -
Judee's Natural Rainbow Sprinkles 2 lb - Gluten-Free and Nut-Free - Brighten Up Your Baked Goods - Great for Cookie and Cake Decoration - Use for Baking and as Dessert and Ice Cream Toppings
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!!! This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered from Nutritionix and we often find their calculations to be slightly inaccurate based on the whole food ingredients we use on this site. Nutrition information can vary for a recipe based on many factors. We strive to keep the information as accurate as possible, but make no warranties regarding its accuracy. We encourage readers to make their own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Have food sensitivities or allergies? Missing out on delicious treats?
Well, now you don’t have to any longer!
Hi! My name is Jessica and I have a major sweet tooth! I also have multiple food sensitivities that include gluten and dairy and my body doesn’t do well with any form of refined sugar.
What’s a girl to do?
Well, I could go to my local Natural Grocers and find a lot of healthier treat options, but even then, many of them tote a hefty price tag or still include ingredients that don’t work so well for my body. So, I decided to head into my kitchen and start creating my own delicious treats at home. That way I can control the ingredients and customize everything to my own individual needs.
And today, I am excited to share my newest eBook, Deliciously Decadent Desserts, with you! This eBook is available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers and features never-bef0re-published recipes. This book includes some of my all-time favorite recipes and you can download your copy below for FREE!
Recipes include my beloved Homemade Thin Mints AND my Thin Mint Sandwiches Cookies (among others!). If you love Girl Scout cookies, but the ingredients don’t love you, have no fear! These two recipes alone will knock your socks off!
Regardless of whether you are gluten, grain, dairy, or refined sugar-free (or a combo of all), now you can have your treats and eat them too! I can guarantee the whole family will swoon for the recipes in this new eBook.
Download your copy today using the form below! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
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