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Vanilla Cupcakes with a Christmas Tree on Top

December 9, 2014 by Maureen 60 Comments

Vanilla Cupcakes

If you’re like me and  you love to cook, you’re always finding a recipe you really want to make but can’t eat much of. I think all food writers and bloggers are in the same boat unless they’ve got heaps of kids who have heaps of friends.

Sadly, there are no kids at this house and Charlie the dog shouldn’t eat a lot of people food but that doesn’t stop me from making food to give to friends and neighbours.  The problem I’ve had is how to present the food that doesn’t look all smashed when it’s covered in foil or lose a good plate or dish.

I ordered some boxes from PackQueen in Victoria and I couldn’t be happier. My cupcakes looked beautiful when I brought them to Rob today – no more gifts that look like a dog’s breakfast after the journey.

Vanilla Cupcakes in a PackQueen Cupcake Box

Rob mentioned he liked sharing his treats with the others at his dining table.  The nursing home has several dining rooms with no more than 16 in each one. There are ten in Rob’s dining room so I always make sure that there’s enough for everyone.  I say he mentioned it because he never asks – it’s always a big hint and I know what I’m supposed to do.

“Are there any mangoes left?” always means, “Could you cut up some mango and bring it over?”

“Will you be making cake or cupcakes soon?” is pretty obvious, isn’t it? Thankfully, they’re only 7 minutes away by car.

Now that I have my nifty pink boxes, I’ll be able to bring cupcakes to the oldies anytime they’re in the mood.  The boxes cost $2.75 but for me it’s worth it to have the cupcakes arrive looking as good as when they left home.

PackQueen has boxes for everything and I would have bought more different styles but you have to buy a minimum of 50 on the cupcake boxes and that’s prohibitive for most households. Plus, where do you put the 49 other boxes while you’re waiting for the next time you need to give some away. The company sells at wholesale prices so I shouldn’t complain. Delivery was quick and their staff couldn’t have been more pleasant.

Vanilla Cupcakes in a PackQueen Cake Box

I made these vanilla cupcakes and frosted them with white icing and sprinkled white sanding sugar to look like snow.  Then I piped a little Christmas tree in green icing and shook some coloured sprinkles on top of the tree.  I didn’t have any stars but I had some white butterflies that sort of looked like stars.  The olds didn’t mind a bit.  When we left, Rob had icing on his face – good sign.

These cupcakes are light and spongy and made the ancient ones happy.  If you want to make someone happy, cupcakes usually do the trick.

The recipe calls for cake flour which is not available in Australia – at least where I live. Thankfully it’s easy to fix by measuring out one cup of plain/all-purpose flour and then removing 2 tablespoons and put that back in the flour bin. Add 2 tablespoons of corn flour/cornstarch and sift the flour about five times to make sure the corn flour/cornstarch is well combined.

I found the best vanilla cupcake recipe a few years ago at Glorious Treats who said that when she tried these, she was sure she heard angels singing.  If that’s not convincing enough, come over and I’ll give you a cupcake. When you make your own, get one of these cupcake boxes so your hard work won’t get squooshed.

5.0 from 14 reviews
Vanilla Cupcakes with Christmas Tree Icing
 
Print
Prep time
13 mins
Cook time
14 mins
Total time
27 mins
 
These might not be the perfect vanilla cupcake but I've never found one I liked better than these.
Author: Glory at Glorious Treats
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16
Ingredients
  • 1¼ cups cake flour
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk plus ½ teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice- add acid to the milk then set aside for 5 minutes before using)
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until fully combined.
  3. In your mixer bowl add eggs and beat 10-20 seconds. Add sugar and continue to beat on medium speed about 30 seconds. Add vanilla and oil, beat to combine.
  4. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add about half of the flour mixture. Add half of the milk, then the rest of the flour and the rest of the milk. Beat until just combined. Scrap down the side of the bowl. The batter will be thin.
  5. Pour batter into a muffin pan prepared with paper liners. Fill liners about ⅔ full.
  6. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
  7. Cool in pan 1-2 minutes, then remove cupcakes from pan and leave to cool on a wire rack.
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Are  you ready for Christmas?  It’s so bright outside at night because the Griswalds have moved in across the canal.  ALL those lights blink too. I should have taken a photo of our outdoor lights last week.  We were so proud of ourselves that we’d gotten our lights up before the Christmas boat parade that goes by the house.

Last night we were outside having a quiet chat and I looked up and burst out laughing.  “What’s funny?” John asked.

“8′ long Merry Christmas is upside down.”

“Crap,” and he laughed too.

All fixed now. There are cruise boats that go up and down the canals looking at lights.  Imagine the laughter.

Canal Lights

Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes Tagged With: best vanilla cupcake recipe

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Comments

  1. gloria says

    December 9, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    These cupcakes are absolutely beautiful:))

    Reply
  2. movita beaucoup says

    December 9, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    Clark Griswald is my spirit animal.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:20 pm

      This does not surprise me. You would hang your lights right side up, I’m sure.

      Reply
  3. wok with ray says

    December 10, 2014 at 1:47 am

    Those cupcakes look beautiful in that box. Hmm, this post gave me the idea for the project that I am doing. Thank you, Maureen and I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.

    Reply
  4. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    December 10, 2014 at 2:28 am

    Maureen, love these cupcakes. . and I totally need those boxes from PackQueen!! I just made cupcakes yesterday and had the same problem. . how was I going to transport them to drop them off at my daughter’s school. . anyway, love love love!! thanks for the reco!!

    Reply
  5. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Yup, cupcakes always make me happy, too. Good trick to remember. 😉 These look great. And those boxes are a terrific idea! We’re always giving away goodies — we should investigate a local source. It must be fun to sail by all the houses with their holiday lights lit! Anyway, thoroughly enjoyable read — thanks.

    Reply
  6. Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:20 am

    love cupcakes for a little Christmas treat! And how clever are those boxes you ordered! I never thought of ordering such sweet boxes to distribute my food. Lovely post as usual, Maureen.

    Reply
  7. A_Boleyn says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:34 am

    A nice box to transport in and colourful cupcake papers always makes baked good look even better. Great design for Christmas.

    Reply
  8. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    December 10, 2014 at 4:40 am

    Oh, these are adorable Maureen – love the box.

    Reply
  9. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    December 10, 2014 at 4:51 am

    Gorgeous cupcakes, Maureen. And I bet the recipients feel very special to receive them in those lovely boxes!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      The oldies thought they had been given a ‘proper’ gift. I laughed so hard.

      Reply
  10. Catherine says

    December 10, 2014 at 4:51 am

    Dear Maureen, The boxes are perfect for giving gifts this season.
    You are right about cooking and eating all those goodies.
    The cupcakes do look pretty and delish. xo Catherine

    Reply
  11. David Crichton says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:15 am

    Sometimes the best ideas are the most obvious. These look amazing, Maureen. Can’t remember the last time I had a load of green buttercream.

    Reply
  12. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:16 am

    How I wish you had taken a photo of that errant sign…but I’ll be happy enough with these delightful presents. LOVE the boxes; what a great idea!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:18 pm

      I should have. I would have had trouble because I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. John was so proud of himself that he’d helped me with the lights. He doesn’t enjoy the Christmas hub bub. Today he put the lights on the tree – I nearly fell over. The first time in 20 years. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Veronica (Roni) says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:20 am

    lol…nothing like a good Chrissy laugh :)) And what a great tip about the flour, thanks Maureen.
    The cakes look very sweet & tempting, how very kind you are…
    cheers xx

    Reply
  14. Krista says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:53 am

    You are such an incredible daughter-in-law, Maureen. XO Seriously, you inspire me constantly with your care and thoughtfulness towards the ancient ones.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      There isn’t anyone else and John makes crap cupcakes. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Hotly Spiced says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:56 am

    No one puts up lights in our street. It’s a very unfriendly street and everyone lives in a fortress with a high fence out the front and to be let in you need a security code. We live in one of the few remaining original homes that hasn’t been bulldozed and where we have a swinging gate where anyone can enter. I have my lights up and I love them. I love your cupcakes! You decorated them beautifully. That’s a good tip about cake flour. You must be loved by everyone at the nursing home and not just Rob xx

    Reply
  16. ChopinandMysaucepan says

    December 10, 2014 at 6:09 am

    Dear Maureen,

    Your lights looks spectacular and we have the same problem of cooking a dish too decadent to finish in roast pork belly.

    Reply
  17. SallyBR says

    December 10, 2014 at 6:16 am

    The boxes are so stylish! Of course, with my skills in icing anything, the boxes would be a waste. (sigh)

    I am sure everyone loves you at the nursing home… and not just there!
    😉

    Reply
  18. Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says

    December 10, 2014 at 6:21 am

    Your cupcakes look delicious! Love the boxes!!
    And your story about your Christmas lights made me smile. Christmas Vacation is one of my favorite movies!

    Reply
  19. Stephanie - The Dessert Spoon says

    December 10, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Your cupcakes are so cute!

    Thanks for sharing PackQueen with us. The boxes are perfect for gifting.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:16 pm

      They are. We might have to go together and get different styles and swap.

      Reply
  20. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:46 am

    What a perfect idea for transporting your cupcakes, Maureen. These little ones look so festive… and the icing is so beautifully piped, what a master you are at it! Whoa to those Christmas lights, they really are the Griswalds… LOL… though I do love the lights at this time of the year.

    Reply
  21. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Such a clever idea! And transporting cakes and cupcakes can be tricky, especially with pretty decorations on top!

    Reply
  22. Eva Taylor says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:16 am

    What festive looking cupcakes Maureen, I bet Rob and his posse really appreciated them. What a cute way to ‘ask’ for something; my dear MIL used to do that at the dinner table, she would say “would anyone like the potatoes?”, hoping someone would just pass them to her.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:15 pm

      I think it’s the age, don’t you? They were taught not to ask for things. Rob called a while ago to tell me that they really loved the cupcakes and they wouldn’t mind vanilla or the chocolate again. LOL

      Reply
  23. Mary Frances says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Your cupcakes look delightful! I definitely think those cake boxes are an investment worth making. I’m so glad Rob liked them, it sounds like this recipe was a big hit!

    Reply
  24. nancy @ Plus Ate Six says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:49 am

    There are Christmas lights up everywhere here it’s quite bonkers really. The folks must just hang out waiting for you to arrive with your treats Maureen – I love the look of these cupcakes but I fear butter icing is one skill I will never master.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 10, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      They do stick their heads out of the room either to pat the dog or see what’s in the box. I never go empty-handed. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Tammy says

    December 10, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    Well look at these little beauties!!! 😀 They’re almost too pretty to eat.

    xo

    Reply
  26. Kitchen Belleicious says

    December 10, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    our neighborhood is so good about doing lights and one house even has a radio station set to his light display so it goes on and off with the beats of the music. so cool. I love your cupcakes. they look scrumptious

    Reply
  27. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 10, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    These are such pretty cupcakes, love the Christmas tree toppers!

    Reply
  28. Joanne T Ferguson says

    December 10, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    G’day Your cupcakes are absolutely gorgeous Maureen! Wish I could taste one now!
    Piping is on my list to master a tad better in time!
    Happy pre Christmas to you and your family…it won’t be long now!
    Pinned and shared! Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
  29. Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    I used to buy boxes (and it was such an ordeal having to drive 30 minutes to get them during a 30 minute window the supplier sold to retail!) but then my friend thoughtfully gave me cupcake carriers!! They are SO cool, double decker 🙂 So nowadays I transport them to the venue in that, then unpack them and leave the problem of storage to the receiver. Though usually they don’t last that long anyway!

    Love the cupcake recipe, especially because they don’t require creamed butter because I ALWAYS forget to leave the butter out, then I try to soften it by microwaving and always overdo it so it half melts.

    Oh and also, will you be making any Whoopie Pies again soon…..?? I’m only a few thousand KM’s from you….

    Reply
  30. Claire @ Claire K Creations says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Thanks for the cake flour tip. I have always wondered what it is. Love the photo of the Griswald’s house. The cupcakes are just beautiful and look even better in the fancy box. I agree, it’s worth the money.

    Reply
  31. Eva says

    December 11, 2014 at 12:26 am

    Maureen, these cupcakes are just beautiful ! The box is a great idea for sharing it and it makes a lovely gift !

    Reply
  32. Linda says

    December 11, 2014 at 3:39 am

    How cute and clever!! These are adorable with the little tree! I have the cupcake carrier, but I like to buy the boxes as for gifts they are perfect – and look pretty. If I could, I’d light up my whole house! But alas, I have no ladder and I’m not good with extension cords and such, so just a pretty wreath with lights and a bit of sparkle in my bushes!

    Reply
  33. Choc Chip Uru says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:48 am

    Maureen, you got me 🙂 This is the cutest cupcake recipe I have seen all christmas 😀
    Professional in the beautiful box as well!
    Do you do deliveries by the way? 😛

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  34. Chris Scheuer says

    December 11, 2014 at 5:58 am

    So… pretty and so festive. I love the cupcake box idea. Much better than throwing them on a plate!

    Reply
  35. Emma @ Bake Then Eat says

    December 11, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I love a good vanilla cupcake and with these festive decorations no wonder they went down a treat!

    Reply
  36. Sugar et al. says

    December 11, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Wow…such gorgeous cupcakes! I love boxes like these not only because they help to keep the cupcakes intact but also because they look so pretty together in a box. I have the same problem at home with sweet recipes. Not many to finish them.

    Reply
  37. Sarah says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Oh, your cupcakes are so pretty!! And I love how the boxes make them look extra special and professional!

    Reply
  38. Helene D'Souza says

    December 11, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Presentation is the difference I believe. =)
    I feel the same way btw, I want to make things but we are only two and the parents in law are diabetic so I can’t just come up with the popular sweet stuff.
    I love your little vanilla cupcakes, I wished somebody would give me those for Christmas =)

    Reply
  39. Helen | Grab Your Fork says

    December 12, 2014 at 12:39 am

    These cupcakes are such a cute idea!

    Reply
  40. Glenda says

    December 12, 2014 at 12:55 am

    Maureen, they look great as do the boxes.

    Reply
  41. Shashi Runninsrilankan says

    December 12, 2014 at 5:13 am

    OOh – love those boxes for cupcakes! Thanks for this cupcake recipe Maureen – those Christmas trees are simply gorgeous! By the way – any chance y’all will move to Atlanta to be close to your daughter in law and son? Cos, if y’all do – I will make sure to show up to take any foods off your hands that you cannot eat 😉

    Reply
  42. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    December 12, 2014 at 7:59 am

    My life is composed of scads scads and scads of recipes I would like to make that I can’t eat. Sigh. Giving food as gifts
    is always a wonderful idea. You found some champion boxes and made some lovely cupcakes. Why a joyous way to spread the miracle to Xmas. Smiles——

    Reply
  43. Chineka @ Savor The Baking says

    December 12, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Cute cupcakes and I love the pink box.

    Reply
  44. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says

    December 12, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Maureen, gorgeous cupcakes! I could definitely use some of those handy dandy cupcake boxes. I love that you take treats to the nursing home.

    Reply
  45. milkteaxx says

    December 12, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    these are so adorable! may i ask where u got the boxes from?

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 12, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      The link is in the post. PackQueen.com.au and they’re in Melbourne but sell wholesale over the net.

      Reply
  46. cheri says

    December 13, 2014 at 5:36 am

    Those cups cakes look like they came from an upscale bakery Maureen, I bet Rob is very popular. I’,m not ready for Christmas, out running around like a madman. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  47. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    December 13, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Am I ready for Christmas? Oh heavens no! But I would like one of these lovely cupcakes 🙂

    Reply
  48. Liz says

    December 13, 2014 at 11:37 am

    What spectacular cupcakes, Maureen!!! I’d be very happy with a delivery!!! Had to giggle about the Griswalds 🙂

    Reply
  49. Ramona says

    December 13, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    I have two kids here that would go crazy fro these adorable and festive cupcakes! 🙂

    Reply
  50. Taste of Beirut says

    December 13, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Love these cupcakes! Make for wonderful Christmas gifts. The boxes are pretty convenient, too. 😉

    Reply
  51. Tara says

    December 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    Those cupcakes are so perfect, I just love them, what a great idea with the little tree. They are hard to transport but the boxes are fantastic for that.

    Reply
  52. Roz says

    December 23, 2014 at 5:31 am

    Oh what pretty cupcakes! And in decorated in my favorite color …. green! I even have a green, white, silver and gold only tree. Everyone thought I was nuts, and now everyone loves it!
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

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