Description
Soft and fluffy vanilla wedding cupcakes topped with champagne frosting. Perfect for any wedding celebration and bridal shower!
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 and 3/4 cups (207g) cake flour* (spooned & leveled)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120g) full-fat sour cream at room temperature*
- 1/2 cup (120ml) your favorite champagne
Frosting
- 3/4 cup (180ml) your favorite champagne
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups (480ml) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- optional: gold glitter sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second pan with 2 liners—this recipe makes about 14 cupcakes. Set aside.
- Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy—about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until combined, then beat in the sour cream. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the champagne until combined. Do not overmix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
- Pour/spoon the batter into the liners—fill only 2/3 full to avoid spilling over the sides. Bake for 19-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. (I start the next step as the cupcakes cool so the champagne can cool when the cupcakes do.)
- Make the frosting: In a small saucepan, bring the champagne to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and allow to simmer until reduced down to 1/4 cup, about 7-10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. You want it room temperature or cold.
- In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, beating on low at first then increasing to high speed. Once incorporated, add the next cup. Once creamy and combined, beat in 3 Tablespoons of the reduced champagne and the vanilla extract. Taste. Add the remaining reduced champagne if needed, and a pinch of salt if you’d like.
- Frost cooled cupcakes. I used a Wilton 1M piping tip and piped a rose on these pictured cupcakes. Top with sprinkles. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Cupcakes can be made ahead 2 days in advance, covered, and stored at room temperature. Frosting can also be made 2 days in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. The easiest way to make these cupcakes ahead of time is to prepare and freeze. Frosted or unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. Instead of doubling or tripling, I recommend making a few separate batches as working with too much batter risks over or under-mixing.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 12-cup Muffin Pan | Cupcake Liners | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Saucepan | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Wilton 1M Piping Tip | Gold Sprinkles
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Here’s more on why room temperature ingredients are important.
- Cake Flour: If you can’t get your hands on cake flour, you can make this homemade cake flour substitute. I suggest doing this twice, mixing it all up in 1 bowl then removing 1/4 cup since you need 1 and 3/4 cups in this recipe.
- Sour Cream: Full fat sour cream is strongly recommended for the best taste and texture. A full fat plain yogurt would work instead, though the cupcakes may not be as light.
- Milk: 1/2 cup whole milk may be used in the cupcake batter instead of champagne.
- Mini Cupcakes: Bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature.