These incredible Cake Mix Cupcakes come together in about 30 minutes and can be whipped up with just a mixing bowl and spatula for a quick and easy dessert that your family will love! You can easily switch up the flavors or toppings to suit your taste, or use whatever you have on hand to clean out the pantry! Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something sweet without a ton of fuss!
The Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s dive into what you’ll need. All these ingredients keep things super simple and are likely things you already have!
- 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix (13.25-15.25 oz)
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding (3.4 oz)
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Salted Butter (softened, 2 sticks)
- 2-3 tsp Vanilla Extract (for frosting)
- 1 Cup Cocoa Powder (for chocolate frosting)
- 4-5 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 3-4 tbsp Whole Milk or Cream (for frosting)
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Your Oven (10 minutes)
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because a nice hot oven will make your cupcakes rise beautifully! Line a cupcake pan with liners, you’ll want to make them as pretty as they are tasty!Mix It Up (5 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the boxed cake mix, 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and the instant pudding mix. Mix it all together until it’s nice and smooth; it shouldn’t take long, maybe 2-3 minutes!Stir in the Sour Cream (2 minutes)
Add the sour cream to the mixture. This will make your cupcakes incredibly moist! Mix until combined well. You want it to be fluffy and a little thick, just like a delicious frosting!Fill the Cupcake Liners (5 minutes)
Now it’s time to fill those liners! You can scoop the batter using a cookie scoop (super easy!) or a measuring cup. Fill them about 2/3 full to give them room to rise. Pro tip: Use a spatula to clean the edges, no one wants drips!Bake (20 minutes)
Place your cupcake pan in the oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell heavenly, but you’ll want to stick a toothpick into the center around the 18-minute mark, if it comes out clean, they’re done! If not, give them a couple more minutes.Cool Down (15 minutes)
Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. Then, transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely while you whip up that frosting!
Making the Frosting
Mix It Up (5 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s creamy and light, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the vanilla and cocoa powder (if using) and mix to combine.Add the Powdered Sugar (5 minutes)
Gradually add in the powdered sugar until it’s well mixed in and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up!Frost the Cupcakes (5 minutes)
Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them using a piping bag for a little extra flair, or just spread it on with a knife. You can also get fun and decorate them with sprinkles or chocolate chips!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need a little sweet something in my life! Whether it’s for unexpected guests or celebrating a birthday, these cupcakes are always a hit, everyone asks for the recipe! I’m a real sucker for the ease of it all. You just grab those ingredients, mix them up, bake, and voila! Plus, the flavors are so versatile. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand. The best part is that these cupcakes are a total crowd-pleaser and are gone in a flash!
If you loved these cake mix cupcakes, be sure to check out my Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes, my Girl Scout Samoas Cookies Cupcakes, or my Perfect Vanilla Cupcake Recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together all in one bowl and bakes in just 20 minutes! It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests swing by!
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can easily bake these cupcakes ahead of time and frost them the day you plan to serve them. They also freeze beautifully! Just store them in an airtight container and they’ll be ready for when those sweet cravings hit!
Customizable
The possibilities are endless! Use different cake mix flavors, swap out the frosting for cream cheese frosting, or even top them with fresh fruit! Whatever your family likes, you can make it happen with this recipe!
Comfort Food
I mean, who doesn’t love a warm, homemade cupcake? They’re loaded with flavor and just hit the spot, especially when you’re in need of a little comfort!
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions: Pair these cupcakes with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, heavenly!
- Storage: They’ll keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you frost them, they should be refrigerated if it’s hot outside.
- Reheating Instructions: If you want to enjoy them warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds, they’ll be soft and delicious!
- Freezer Friendly: Yes! These cupcakes freeze well. Just place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.
Baking should be fun, and I hope this recipe puts a smile on your face! Grab your family and spend some quality time together making these delicious cupcakes! Enjoy! Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Cake Mix Cupcakes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and pudding mix. Mix until smooth.
- Add the sour cream and mix until well combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or measuring cup to fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full. Clean the edges with a spatula.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- In a bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Mix in vanilla and cocoa powder, if using.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until creamy. Add milk if it’s too thick.
- Frost cooled cupcakes using a piping bag or a knife. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles or chocolate chips.