Name: Elegant Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup buttermilk; ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 vanilla bean (seeds); 1½ cups cake flour; 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temp; 1½ tsp baking powder; 2 large eggs; 2 vanilla beans (or 2 tbsp extract); 4 egg whites; Edible pearls, flowers, gold dust

Tender vanilla bean-flecked cupcakes crowned with silky Swiss meringue buttercream and edible pearls bloom into bridal elegance. Infused with real vanilla specks, these sophisticated treats offer refined sweetness—perfect shower centerpiece baked in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These elegant vanilla bean cupcakes elevate bridal showers to bakery-level glamour—moist, buttery crumb studded with fragrant vanilla bean caviar delivers authentic depth far beyond extract, while Swiss meringue buttercream pipes into cloud-like swirls that hold shape beautifully for stunning displays. Light yet luxurious, they’re naturally adaptable with pastel tints or gold accents, portion-perfect for mingling guests, and infinitely prettier than store-bought. Hosts adore the make-ahead components, brides-to-be swoon over the sophisticated flavor—customize liners and toppers for theme perfection. One bowl cake, zero fondant fuss, bridal dessert dreams delivered.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Room Temp Ingredients → Smooth batter, even rise.
Scrape Bean → Seeds + pod infuse milk.
Don’t Overmix → Tender crumb.
Fill ⅔ → Perfect dome.
Cool Completely → Frosting holds shape.
Swiss Meringue → Wipe bowl clean no grease.
Pipe Cold → Buttercream firms for sharp swirls.
Edible Pearls → Stick while frosting fresh.

Yield: 12 Servings

Elegant Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Vanilla bean cupcakes with silky buttercream and pearls—sophisticated bridal treats.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

¼ tsp salt
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean (seeds)
1½ cups cake flour
1½ cups unsalted butter, room temp
1½ tsp baking powder
2 large eggs
2 vanilla beans (or 2 tbsp extract)
4 egg whites
Edible pearls, flowers, gold dust

Instructions

Preheat Oven → Set to 350°F; line 12-cup tin with pretty bridal liners—elegance starts here.
Infuse Vanilla → Split beans; scrape seeds into buttermilk—steep pod too for max flavor.
Cream Butter → Beat butter and sugar light fluffy 3 minutes—airy foundation ready.
Add Eggs → Incorporate one at a time—scrape bowl for even mix.
Dry Mix → Whisk flour, baking powder, salt—alternate with buttermilk into batter.
Gentle Fold → Mix just until combined—overmix toughens tender crumb.
Fill Liners → Divide batter ⅔ full—smooth tops for perfect domes.
Bake Golden → Bake 18-22 minutes until toothpick clean—cool in tin 5 minutes.
Buttercream Magic → Swiss meringue: whisk whites/sugar over simmering water to 160°F—whip stiff glossy, add butter gradually with vanilla.
Decorate Dream → Pipe swirls on cooled cupcakes; adorn pearls, flowers, gold—bridal beauty complete.

Notes

Real vanilla beans > extract for specks and depth.
Room temp everything—smooth batter essential.
Swiss buttercream stable for tall swirls.
Customize decorations for shower theme.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 602Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 21gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 121mgSodium 176mgCarbohydrates 67gFiber 1gSugar 42gProtein 6g

The recipes and nutritional information on Yum Tonight are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.