(This post was originally published March 28, 2013 but has been updated with new photos, tweaked recipe, and instructions.)
These white wedding cupcakes turn a boxed cake mix into the most amazing vanilla cupcakes you've ever had. They're a close replica to a delicious bakery cake that you would find at a wedding (with the perfect texture!) and are so easy to make! It's become my family's favorite go-to vanilla cake recipe anytime cupcakes are in order.
Being a chocolate fanatic, it's a rare occasion that I would choose anything vanilla over chocolate. But these white wedding cupcakes are THAT good, that even I would choose these over a chocolate cupcake 100% of the time. They are so moist, so easy to make, and of course...so very scrumptious.
Having a cake mix base, this recipe is kick-started for you so you don't have to worry about leavening agents. I prefer to use an "extra-moist cake mix" to ensure they come out as perfect as possible. Because dry cupcakes = no bueno.
What You Need to Make White Wedding Cupcakes
- White Boxed Cake Mix
- Flour
- Sugar
- Sour Cream
- Egg Whites
- Water
How to Make White Wedding Cupcakes
Step 1: Mix Batter
Start by mixing the dry ingredients with a whisk. Once combined, mix in the egg whites, sour cream, and water and continue mixing until combined. You can use a electric mixer, but whisking by hand works well for this recipe.
Step 2: Scoop into Baking Cups
Use a 3-tablespoon sized cookie scoop to scoop the batter into the baking cups.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out dry. You do not want the tops to turn brown, as that will mean you overbaked them. The tops will still look a little moist, but the goal is to cut into them and see this beautiful, perfect, bakery texture.
Step 4:ย Cool & Frost
My personal favorite frosting for these is a delectable cream cheese frosting. It's not too sweet and is the perfect pairing with these vanilla cupcakes. If you want a more pipeable frosting, try out a buttercream frosting like I use on sugar cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What brand of cake mix do you recommend?
I used and prefer Pillsbury White (Moist Supreme) but I've tried it with several other mixes and it works fine.
What's the difference between this recipe and a cake mix straight-out-of-the-box?
You might be thinking, "what's so different about this recipe if you are still using a boxed cake mix?" Well, I will tell you. The secret is sour cream and egg whites. Yes, sour cream ain't just for baked potatoes anymore. It is used to moisten many types of cakes/batters and any time I've used it, the result has always been amazing. And the egg whites? Since you are removing fat content (by taking out the yolk), you need to use the sour cream to balance that back out to produce a soft & moist cake.
Tip: Save the egg yolks in a plastic bowl (covered with saran wrap) and toss into a big batch of scrambled eggs in the morning. Or use the liquid egg whites you can buy in a carton to avoid having leftover egg yolks.
Where did you get those adorable scalloped cupcake liners?
These are from The Sweet Tooth Fairy's adorable baking line! They're grease-proof and make the cupcakes come out of the wrappers SO smoothly.
How Many Cupcakes Does This Recipe Make?
Assuming you fill each baking cup with 3 tablespoons of batter, this recipe makes 24 cupcakes.
Can I use this recipe as a cake?
Yes! Bake in a 9x13 pan for 28-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
White Wedding Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ยฝ cups water
- ยพ cup sour cream
- 4 large egg whites (equal to ยฝ cup, if you want to use liquid carton egg whites)
- 1 Buttercream Frosting
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ยฐF.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together white cake mix (1 - 15.25 oz. box), all-purpose flour (1 cup), granulated sugar (ยฝ cup), and salt (ยฝ teaspoon).
- Once incorporated, add in the vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), water (1 ยฝ cups), sour cream (ยพ cup), and egg whites (4 large, or ยฝ cup) one at a time until combined.
- Place cupcake liners into cupcake tin and scoop 3 tablespoons of batter into each baking cup.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick or fork come out clean.
- Allow to cool and then frost with Buttercream Frosting.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Amy says
Hi Melissa,
I have been searching for YEARS to find a recipe for an authentic wedding cake & frosting recipe so thanks for the cake!
...now about this frosting...are the cakes at weddings frosted with buttercream or something else? I've never made a buttercream that replicates what I've had at weddings & I absolutely adore it! I really would love a reply & in the meantime I'll see how your buttercream recipe compares to the others I have made. Thanks so much!
Melissa says
Hi Amy! I think most wedding cakes are made with a vanilla almond buttercream or a swiss meringue (which is more work to make but is lighter and less sweet). I wouldn't say mine is spot-on to the ones you get a wedding, it's not as lightweight as most bakery frostings but if you whipped it pretty long & used heavy cream instead of milk I think you could get a fluffier texture!
I plan to experiment more with frostings this year but I'd definitely encourage you to try finding a recipe for swiss meringue buttercream if you're wanting to experiment with getting a lighter texture!
Carol says
Best vanilla cupcakes Iโve ever made! I made them for my daughters bridal shower and everyone loved them.
Melissa says
I'm so glad you all loved them, Carol! I always get asked if they came from a bakery when I make them for crowds...then I have to tell them my little secret ;)
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review - I appreciate it so much!
Allie R says
These taste SO good. However, the last 2 times Iโve made them, the texture is very dense and sponge like. Almost too dense/spongey instead of fluffy. Any thought or tips?
Melissa says
Hi Allie! What brand of cake mix are you using?
If using the same as me, how long are you mixing the batter? This cake is a dense cake but could get overly dense if you overmix the batter. Thatโs typically the culprit of dense and rubbery cakes.
Let me know if either of those might be or & if not, we can brainstorm from there!
Brittany says
Made these cupcakes but colored the batter different colors to make marbled โmermaidโ cupcakes for a birthday! Delicious and a hit at the party!! Thanks!
Elise Laney says
I ALWAYS have a box of that Pillsbury cake mix in my pantry. It is a must-have because I can make so many things with it!!! :)
Melissa says
It's so good, right?! I've definitely realized different brands taste different and this one is currently my front runner!
Meredith says
Hi! Would this recipe work for a 10 inch bundt cake + a 4 inch small cake? Or would you double it? Thanks!
Melissa says
Hi Meredith! I think the single recipe would be enough for a 10 & 4 inch, although I never tried it so I can't say for 100% certainty. Definitely report back if you try it!
Melissa Barnickel says
I need to modify to exclude eggs due to allergy. So do you recommend 1/2 cup applesauce to replace the 4 egg whites? This is going to be my grandson's 1st birthday cake.
Melissa says
Hi Melissa! I've only used applesauce in cake once, so I can't guarantee the outcome but it would be worth a shot. My concern would be that because this recipe only calls for egg WHITES, the typical 1/2 cup applesauce per 1 egg would get tricky. Sorry I'm not much help on this one!
Crystal says
Can you use yellow cake mix..and whole eggs instead of egg whites?
Melissa says
Hi Crystal! Yes, you could certainly try that and I think they would turn out fine. They will obviously taste more like yellow cake, rather than the traditional white wedding cake, but they would still taste great! I would probably only use 2-3 whole eggs (instead of the 4 whites this recipe asks for). Using only egg whites makes the cake light, so adding in the yolks would make it a bit more dense. (The yolks contain the fat, which adds moisture to the cake.)
Hope this helps & please report back with the results! I would love to hear how they turn out! :)
Rachel says
Um, these look amazing. I am really drooling right now.
Mimi says
these cupcakes are so beautiful!!! and they look delicious! :D
<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Win a pair of Saltwater Sandals!
Kathryn says
I use this same recipe. It is AWESOME! Everyone I make it for raves about it. I add a tsp of almond too, which it makes it even that much better!
Marian says
My grandma makes cheesy potatoes on Easter too! :) I think she uses a Paula Deen recipe. And those cupcakes look delicious.
Niki says
I don't know if I'm more excited about the straws or the actual cupcakes! Love this!
Kari says
These look SO amazing. Gorgeous photos as well. I want one right now! Maybe I will make them tonight :) Thanks for the recipe.
xx Kari
http://moderngirlsinvintagepearls.blogspot.ca/
Mere says
Your cupcakes are adorable! And your pictures of them are great. I love the sour cream trick! I was so hesitant to try it a few years ago (because I mean, gross!) but oh they turned out delicious! (what cupcake doesn't?!) Thanks for sharing your recipe- I'll have to try it! :)
Alissa says
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wedding cake is literally the greatest cake of all time. OMG!! I am literally drooling!