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Foolproof Vanilla Cupcakes

I know what you’re thinking: “A cake mix!? That’s cheating! Someone tell the DM!” Settle down, adventurer, and keep reading.

Below is a variation on a recipe very popular in internet baking circles, called ‘White Almond Sour Cream Cake’ (or ‘WASC’ to High Baking Wizards in the know). It bakes a cake that is consistent and sturdy, yet moist and light, making it ideal for stacked wedding cakes or anytime you need a trustworthy, foolproof recipe for a high-concept flight of baking fancy. It also takes well to added flavoring oils or mix-ins like nuts, citrus zests, and chocolate chips.

This recipe has been a constant companion throughout my baking adventures, and I hope it serves you just as well.

Makes 22-25 cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350° F and line cupcake tins with cupcake liners.

Add all dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl, or to bowl of stand mixer, and mix until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and beat on low speed until combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula as needed.

Using a large ice cream scoop or disher, fill cupcake liners two-thirds of the way full.

Bake 18 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Carefully remove from the cupcake pan and allow to come to room temperature.

Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to two months in airtight containers to decorate at a later date.

1 box white cake mix

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

¾ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 ¼ cups water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Flavoring oil (as listed by the individual recipe)

Stand or hand mixer

Cupcake pan(s)

Cupcake liners

(color as recommended by the individual recipe)

For some festive flair, mix half a cup of rainbow sprinkles (the long, tube-like ones called jimmies) into the batter before baking. While you can use other types of sprinkles to make a “confetti cupcake”, they are more likely to run – their rainbow-y goodness may smear into the batter and blend into more of a greyish mess.