White Chocolate Cupcakes
These white chocolate cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and full of real white chocolate flavor. Made with sour cream and melted white chocolate, they bake up light with a tender crumb and pair beautifully with rich white chocolate buttercream. If you love white chocolate, these cupcakes are simple enough for everyday baking but pretty enough for parties, showers, and special occasions.
I’m usually a dark chocolate person, the darker the better. But these white chocolate cupcakes have always been one of those exceptions in my kitchen. They are sweet, rich, and full of vanilla flavor, with a soft fluffy texture that makes them hard to stop at just one. My kids have always loved them, and they were a favorite request back when I had my cake business too.
Why make these cupcakes
- Soft and fluffy texture from sour cream and melted white chocolate
- Real white chocolate flavor in both the cupcakes and frosting
- Elegant but easy enough for birthdays, showers, holidays, or weddings
- Tender crumb that stays moist without being dense
- see all my frosting recipes here
Ingredients and substitutes
- White chocolate is the star here, so use a good-quality white chocolate bar and melt it gently. Avoid overly sweet compound chocolate if possible, because it can taste waxy and make the cupcakes greasy rather than rich.
- Flour, cornstarch, and leavening work together to give these cupcakes a light, fluffy crumb. The cornstarch helps soften the texture, while the baking powder and baking soda give them lift. Do not skip the salt, even though this is a sweet recipe, because it balances the flavor.
- Butter with a little oil gives you the best of both worlds. Butter adds flavor, while the oil keeps the cupcakes soft and moist even after they cool.
- Eggs help with structure and richness. Use large eggs at room temperature so the batter mixes evenly.
- Sugar sweetens the cupcakes and keeps the crumb tender. White sugar also keeps the color lighter, which suits white chocolate cupcakes better than brown sugar.
- Sour cream is one of the key ingredients in this recipe. It adds moisture and richness while helping create that soft fluffy crumb. Full-fat sour cream is best, but plain full-fat Greek yogurt can work in a pinch.
- Milk loosens the batter and keeps it smooth. Whole milk is ideal, but 2% will also work.
- Vanilla and almond extract give the cupcakes a fuller bakery-style flavor. The vanilla brings warmth, while the almond adds that little something that makes people ask what tastes so good. Use almond extract lightly so it does not overpower the white chocolate.
Step-by-step: Soft Fluffy White chocolate cupcakes
Making the white chocolate cupcakes from scratch
Prep – Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
Chocolate – Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Set aside to cool until no longer hot.
Dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Wet ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, oil, and sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and almond extract. Mix in the sour cream until well combined.
Dry to wet – Add the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined.
White chocolate – Fold in the melted white chocolate until smooth and evenly incorporated. Do not overmix.
Bake – Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool – Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Making the White chocolate buttercream
Chocolate – Melt the white chocolate and let it cool until no longer warm.
Cream butter – With the whisk attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until light and fluffy.
Add chocolate – Pour in the cooled white chocolate and beat until smooth. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to reach piping consistency.
Pipe – Pipe onto fully cooled cupcakes and top with white chocolate curls or chips if you like.
Soft Fluffy White Chocolate Cupcakes
These fluffy white chocolate cupcakes are made with sour cream and melted white chocolate for a soft, tender crumb and rich vanilla flavor. Finished with creamy white chocolate buttercream, they are perfect for birthdays, showers, holidays, or anytime you want an elegant homemade cupcake.
Ingredients
- 113 g (4 oz) White chocolate
- 190 g (1½ cups) All-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ cup (½ cup) Unsalted Butter room temperature
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- 2 large Eggs
- 200 g (1 cup) White granulated sugar
- 113 g (½ cup) Sour cream
- 120 ml Whole milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 113 g (4 oz) White chocolate
- 113 g (½5 cup) Unsalted butter room temperature
- 312 g (2½ cups) Powdered sugar confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 – 2 tbsp Heavy cream 32% or more only if needed for consistency
Method
- Prep – Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Chocolate – Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Set aside to cool until no longer hot.
- Dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.190 g All-purpose flour , 1½ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Baking soda, ¼ tsp Salt
- Wet ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, oil, and sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla and almond extract. Mix in the sour cream until well combined.2 large Eggs, ½ cup Unsalted Butter, 2 tbsp Cooking oil , 200 g White granulated sugar, 113 g Sour cream, 120 ml Whole milk , 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Dry ingredients – Add the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined.
- White chocolate – Fold in the melted white chocolate until smooth and evenly incorporated. Do not overmix.113 g White chocolate
- Bake – Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool – Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Chocolate – Melt the white chocolate and let it cool until no longer warm.113 g White chocolate
- Cream butter – With the whisk attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until light and fluffy.113 g Unsalted butter, 312 g Powdered sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla extract, ¼ tsp Salt, 1 – 2 tbsp Heavy cream
- Add chocolate – Pour in the cooled white chocolate and beat until smooth. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to reach piping consistency.
- Pipe – Pipe onto fully cooled cupcakes and top with white chocolate curls or chips if you like.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter, eggs, sour cream, and milk for a smooth batter.
- Melt the white chocolate gently and let it cool before adding to the batter or frosting.
- Do not overfill the cupcake liners or the tops may spill over.
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!Tips for success
- Use good-quality white chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the melted chocolate is cooled before adding it to the batter.
- Do not overmix once the flour goes in or the cupcakes can turn dense.
- Fill the liners only about two-thirds full so the cupcakes rise evenly.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Why it happens | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Cupcakes are dense | Batter was overmixed after adding flour | Mix just until combined once the dry ingredients go in |
| Cupcakes are dry | Too much flour or overbaking | Measure flour carefully and check a few minutes early |
| White chocolate seized | Chocolate was overheated or came into contact with water | Melt gently in short bursts and stir often |
| Cupcakes sank in the middle | Oven door opened too early or batter was overmixed | Avoid opening the oven too soon and mix gently |
| Frosting is too soft | White chocolate was still warm or kitchen is too warm | Cool the chocolate fully and chill frosting briefly if needed |
| Frosting is too thick | Not enough moisture in the buttercream | Add cream 1 teaspoon at a time until smooth |
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Frequently asked questions
Bake them until just done – over-baking can dry them out. Once cooled, cover and leave them in a cool, dry place. Do not put them in the fridge. You can also add some simple syrup for bakery-style moist cupcakes before frosting.
Use a good-quality white chocolate bar, not candy melts or compound chocolate if possible. Better chocolate gives better flavor and a smoother texture.
Yes. You can bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them unfrosted in an airtight container. Frost them the next day.
Yes. Freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
Usually because the batter was overmixed or the flour was overmeasured. Mix gently and use a kitchen scale if possible.
Always a fan of cupcakes! These look SO delicious. Definitely could go for these!
Thanks Christine
I love love loveeeeee white chocolate! Did I say love? Don’t tell milk chocolate. These cupcakes look delish!!
Thanks Dene
You are so talented when it comes to dessert baking. I love how you decorate your cakes. I used to do more with it but since the kids are nearby I don’t. Hopefully when we move closer to them I’ll be able to decorate more. Now I love chocolate but I like the white chocolate too. What size tip is your favorite go-to tip? Do you have a particular brand of white chocolate you like better than others? I’m pinning.
Thanks Marisa. I know what you mean. My mom complained about that after we left home too! Being a cake decorator I love many tips that let me get fancy with decorating. But for the swirls I love the big ones as the frosting comes out big bold and beautiful. I use Callebaute or Lubeca for my baking.
My hubbie loves white chocolate..so these cupcakes are right up his street..Love your photos
Thank you karyn.
Funny how people either love or hate white chocolate … there’s really not much middle ground.
I love how pretty your cupcakes look! The recipe seems simple enough, too.
I know that’s so true. There is really no middle ground you either love or hate it.! ha.!
My boyfriend loves white chocolate, I will have to make him some of these so he can be happier. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Sounds like a great plan Nadja. Have fun. Let me know if you try them.
I love white chocolate, and don’t do near enough with it. I have made a few things that have white chocolate in the ingredients list, but never a major flavor profile like this. Yum!
White chocolate some how make it feel very exotic. I love using it though I rarely eat it .
I happen to like white chocolate. These cupcakes would make the perfect “party cupcake”, and my grandson loves vanilla cupcakes, he would love these too. Simple and delicious.
Lucky you like white chocolate Gloria. I don’t really eat much white except for a few in such recipes. My kids love this too!
These sound so delicious! I love that the buttercream isn’t too sweet. I also want to try the frosting on a chocolate cupcake!
Yes we take advantage of the unique ability to firm the buttercream so we can use less powder sugar in the buttercream. Thanks
I want to devour that frosting.
Thanks Shobee