(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.
Cheryl says
I just came across this recipe. Question what donโt you use any oil in this recipe? Just curious.
Melissa says
I don't find it needs the added moisture with the sour cream!
Christine says
Hello,
I'm planning to make this recipe soon and I don't need it to be white white so if I want to use whole eggs would I just use 2 whole large eggs instead of the 4 egg whites? Thanks!
Melissa says
Hi! I havenโt tested it this way but 2 whole eggs sounds like it will work.
Katie says
Hello, could I use lemon cake mix and lemon extract instead of white cake mix to make lemon cupcakes? Thanks
Melissa says
I haven't tried this recipe with lemon but I think it would work just fine!
evonne says
attempting this recipe now ! no oil ?
Melissa says
Nope!
LoriBakes says
Like you, I was looking at adapting the Recipe Girl White Wedding Cupcake recipe, since I found it too sweet and wanted it to be a little less like sponge cake. I found your version and didn't have to! Good job! The only thing I do different is I'm using 1/4 cup pure cane sugar & 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 whole egg with 3 egg whites. Seems to give it a little more body and richness and it's white enough for me. Thanks again!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lori!
LoriB says
Funny, I thought the recipe this was adapted from was too sweet, with the 1 cup of sugar so glad to see your recipe working with 1/2 the sugar and adjustments to some of the other ingredients. Thanks for posting!
Cindy Higginbotham says
Instead of cupcakes, I made it into a sheet cake for a birthday, and used almond buttercream frosting, I got rave reviews! It was delicious and the frosting was delicious too and easy to whip up, I wasnโt sure how it was going to turn out since it was late at night, and my kids were asleep,
So I made it by hand with a whisk, it worked. I will pin this a definitely make it again
Melissa says
Yay, so glad it ended up turning out for you, Cindy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it!
Amber says
I want to make these soon. Can you replace the water with milk for more
Flavor? Or is it not necessary?
Melissa says
I haven't tried it but I don't think it's necessary. Milk typically adds even more moisture and this recipe is already very moist!
Tammy says
Delicious! Light moist flavorful ! Thank you
Melissa says
So glad that you enjoyed this recipe Tammy!
Diane Bradstock says
Everyone loved these !!! So delicious and moist..best recipe ever!!!
Melissa says
So glad to hear that Diane, thank you for leaving a review!
Ali says
Hi there. Do you know if these can be made, frosted and then frozen ahead of time? Thanks
Melissa says
I would wait to frost them until after freezing!
Beth says
They came out perfectly! I actually got 26 cupcakes, each with 3 tablespoons of batter.
Melissa says
So glad you loved them, Beth! A few extra "test" cupcakes are never a bad thing, haha! ;)
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a review - it helps my small biz so much & I really appreciate it!