Wedding Cake Cupcakes: A Sweet, Simple Celebration

There’s just something magical about wedding cake flavor — that soft whisper of almond, the creamy swirl of buttercream, and the unmistakable feeling that you’re part of something special. But who says you have to wait for a wedding to enjoy it?

Today, I’m sharing an easy, budget-friendly recipe for Wedding Cake Cupcakes — because celebration should never come with a hefty price tag. These cupcakes are simple, sweet, and perfect for making any ordinary day feel just a little more extraordinary.

A Little Story First…

Years ago, my best friend Emma got married in a tiny backyard ceremony. She didn’t want anything fancy — no towering cakes or over-the-top expenses. Instead, she baked dozens of cupcakes the night before, with just her mom and her sister helping. The cupcakes were simple: white cake, a whisper of almond, and homemade buttercream piled high.

That night, we stayed up frosting cupcakes by string light glow, laughing and sneaking bites of buttercream straight from the bowl. The next day, those cupcakes were the star of the reception. Guests still talk about them — not because they were perfect, but because they were made with love.

These cupcakes? They’re inspired by that night.

Why You’ll Love These Wedding Cake Cupcakes

  • Classic Flavor: Light, fluffy cake with just the right hint of almond.
  • Budget-Friendly: Basic pantry ingredients — no fancy mix-ins or costly tools required.
  • Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and freeze for last-minute celebrations!
  • Effortlessly Elegant: Perfect for weddings, showers, birthdays, or a cozy night in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 large egg whites (room temperature)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup real buttermilk (not the DIY kind)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
A neatly arranged flat lay of baking ingredients for wedding cake cupcakes, including all-purpose flour, sugar, powdered sugar, egg whites, salt, baking powder, butter, buttermilk, oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, and heavy cream, each labeled in bold black text.

How to Make Them

  1. Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.
  2. Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil together until blended. Add the egg whites a little at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in almond and vanilla extracts.
  4. Combine: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk, mixing gently after each addition. Be careful not to overmix!
  5. Fill & Bake: Fill each cupcake liner with about 3 tablespoons of batter. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool: Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  7. Frost: Beat butter until smooth, then slowly add powdered sugar. Mix in cream and extracts. Whip until light and fluffy. Frost generously!

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t skip the almond extract! It’s the signature wedding cake flavor.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for the fluffiest cupcakes.
  • Want to fancy them up? Top with white chocolate curls, edible pearls, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a grand event to bake something beautiful. These Wedding Cake Cupcakes remind us that a little sweetness goes a long way — in our kitchens, and in our memories.

Next time you’re craving a slice of celebration, whip up a batch. Because around here, we believe good food and great memories should always be within reach — and on budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Cake Cupcakes

What makes Wedding Cake Cupcakes different from regular cupcakes?

It’s all about that special flavor! Traditional wedding cake cupcakes have a light vanilla base with a delicate hint of almond — giving them that classic, nostalgic wedding cake taste. It’s subtle, sweet, and unforgettable.

Is the almond flavor strong?

Nope, it’s just the right touch! The almond extract gives these cupcakes a soft, dreamy flavor without overpowering the vanilla or sweetness. If you love classic wedding cake, you’ll love the balance here.

Can I use whole eggs instead of just the whites?

You can — but it changes the color, texture, and even the protein content a bit. Whole eggs add more fat and protein, giving the cupcakes a richer, slightly denser crumb and a golden-yellow hue. If you want that pure, snowy-white cake with a lighter texture, stick with just the egg whites.

How full should I fill the cupcake liners?

Aim for about 2/3 full — roughly 3 tablespoons of batter per cupcake. Too much and they’ll overflow; too little and they’ll be flat instead of domed and pretty.

Any fun ways to decorate them?

Absolutely! Try sprinkling them with white chocolate curls, tiny edible pearls, pastel sprinkles, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a simple, elegant finish.

Why is sifting the flour and sugar important?

Sifting helps break up any lumps and adds air into the dry ingredients, making the cupcakes lighter and softer. It also keeps your buttercream silky smooth — no gritty surprises!

Can this recipe be turned into a full cake?

Yes! You can easily bake this batter into two 9-inch round cakes or one 9×13-inch sheet cake. Just keep an eye on the baking time — cakes usually take a bit longer than cupcakes.

How should I store the cupcakes?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months.

Print
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Elegant wedding cake cupcakes decorated with ivory rose-shaped buttercream frosting and white sugar pearls, displayed on a white tiered stand.

Wedding Cake Cupcakes: A Sweet, Simple Celebration


  • Author: Alyssa
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Wedding Cake Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and delicately flavored with almond and vanilla, topped with a luscious buttercream frosting — perfect for any celebration or special occasion!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

8 large egg whites, room temperature

1 ½ teaspoons almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup real buttermilk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon almond extract

½ teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

  3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and vegetable oil until blended.

  4. Add egg whites a little at a time, beating after each addition.

  5. Stir in almond extract and vanilla extract.

  6. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, mixing gently after each addition. Do not overmix.

  7. Fill each cupcake liner with about 3 tablespoons of batter.

  8. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  9. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  10. To make the frosting, beat the butter until smooth.

  11. Slowly add sifted powdered sugar, then mix in the heavy cream and extracts.

  12. Whip until light and fluffy, then frost the cooled cupcakes generously.

Notes

Be sure not to overmix the batter to maintain a light texture.

For extra elegance, top the frosted cupcakes with edible pearls or a sprinkle of sanding sugar.

Substitute the almond extract with more vanilla if desired for a purely vanilla flavor.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 29g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: wedding cake cupcakes, almond cupcakes, fluffy cupcakes, easy wedding cupcakes, party cupcakes

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