Mother's Day is fast approaching and for me that means making something super cute and feminine to treat my mom. One of my favourite treats to surprise her with and to show my appreciation are light and airy vanilla cupcakes with rose petal buttercream icing. The only downside to making these rose petal cupcakes is that your mother may tell you that they are too pretty to eat.
The Perfect Mother's Day Cupcakes
These cupcakes are the perfect treat for Mother's Day or for any special occasion such as bridal showers, baby showers, Valentine's Day, birthdays... I could go on. I love these cupcakes because they are so decadent and scrumptious, they are fluffy and airy, they have gorgeous and girly pink tones, and they are so simply and easy to make.
Ingredients in Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing
- all-purpose flour - adds substance.
- baking powder - adds lift.
- salt - adds flavour.
- unsalted butter - softened butter which adds flavour, rise, and browned edges.
- granulated sugar - adds sweetness.
- eggs - adds flavour and structure.
- vanilla extract - adds flavour.
- milk - adds moisture.
- buttercream icing - made with unsalted butter, vanilla extract, confectioner's sugar, milk, and food colouring. If you are a chocolate lover, you could also use creamy Nutella buttercream frosting to pipe roses on these cupcakes.
You will also need a 2D star piping tip
and a piping bag.
How to Make Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing for Mother's Day
- Make the vanilla cupcakes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Add in the vanilla and continue to beat together. Add the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the milk, until fully mixed together.
- Bake the cupcakes. Line muffin tray with cupcake liners. Fill the liners ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes in a preheated 350 F oven. Let cool.
- Prepare the buttercream icing. Beat the butter using an electric mixer. Add vanilla and mix until light and fluffy. Then, add in confectioners' sugar gradually, mixing on medium speed. Add milk and food colouring and continue to mix together until light and fluffy. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth until you are ready to use.
- Frost rose petals on the cupcakes.
How to Frost a Rose Petal Cupcake
So, the million dollar question is: how do you frost gorgeous rose petals on these cupcakes? Well, luckily you don't have to be a professional pastry chef to create professional-looking cupcakes because it is not as complicated as it looks. Here's how you do it:
- Secure the 2D piping tip onto a piping bag and fill the bag with icing.
- In the middle of the cupcake, pipe a small amount of icing.
- Without lifting your piping bag, slowly work your way around, counter-clockwise, until you reach the outer edge of the cupcake. Make sure you use a lot of pressure to get the icing out consistently.
- Repeat with all the cupcakes.
Frosting a rose on a cupcake can be done in literally a few seconds! If you are a beginner, take it slow on the first or second cupcake, until you get the hang of the swirl technique. You've got this!
More Mother's Day Recipes
For more Mother's Day recipes, check out my Easy Mother's Day Brunch Menu. You will find everything from savoury showstoppers (pancakes, crepes, and fresh toast), to effortless eggs, to savoury tarts and galettes, to baked goods (croissants, scones, biscuits) and homemade bread, to fresh spring salads, and refreshing drinks and smoothies.
Recipe
Mothers Day Vanilla Cupcakes with Rose Petal Buttercream Icing
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Light, airy and fluffy vanilla cupcakes with rose petal buttercream icing is the cutest treat for Mother’s Day. They are super quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 + ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 + ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Buttercream Icing
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 1-2 drops red food colouring
Instructions
Vanilla Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Add in vanilla and continue to beat together.
- Add the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the milk, until fully mixed together.
- Fill up the cupcake liners ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Using a toothpick, check that the centre of the cupcake comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the muffin tray. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Buttercream Icing
- In a large bowl, beat the butter using an electric mixer. Add vanilla and mix together until light and fluffy.
- Add in confectioners' sugar gradually, mixing on medium speed. Add milk and food colouring and continue to mix together until light and fluffy. If using liquid food colouring, you may need to add a little more sugar.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth until you are ready to use the icing.
Frosting Rose Petals on the Cupcakes
- Secure a 2D piping tip onto a piping bag and fill the bag with icing.
- In the middle of the cupcake, pipe a small amount of icing. Without lifting your piping bag, slowly work your way around, counter-clockwise, until you reach the outer edge of the cupcake. Make sure you use a lot of pressure to get the icing out consistently.
- Repeat these steps with the all the cupcakes.
Notes
If you are a chocolate lover, use creamy Nutella buttercream frosting to pipe roses onto these cupcakes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Kristy @ She Eats says
Sam these cupcakes are just beeeeautiful! Perfect for Mother's Day. I don't normally like "precious" food but hot dang, these are adorable and oh so pretty. I may even try the piping action. You make it sound so simple. On it.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks, Kristy! It is simple, just give a try 🙂 Let me know how it turns out for you!
Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss says
My mama isn't as girly as I am, but I'm sure she'd never say no to a cupcake as pretty as this one! Awesome job with piping the flowers - I am the worst with piping and need to practice more to get this good at it! Love the pretty pink frosting 🙂
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks, Jessica! These flowers were super easy to pipe. Once you try one or two, you will get the hang of it 🙂
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Beautiful cakes perfect for Mother's Day. I was expecting them to contain rose essence from the description but even better that they don't as I'm not a fan of flower flavours in my food!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks, Camilla! I guess the title could be confusing! The rose just refers to the shape 🙂
Kirsten @ Treat Yourself Sweeter says
Well these are just beautiful Sam! I know my Mum... and me... would love these. The icing looks so perfect.. I just want to bite in!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Hehehe, thanks Kirsten!
swayam says
Sam!!! These are so so gorgeous! OH MY.. LOVE the blush icing!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks, Swayam! 🙂
Jessica {Swanky Recipes} says
These cupcakes are so adorable and beautiful! I bet the girls and I'd have a lot of fun making these!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks, Jessica! You guys would have lots of fun 🙂