Name: Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); ¼ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ cup unsalted butter (4 Tbsp, room temperature); ½ cup real maple syrup; 3 large egg whites (room temperature); 2 tsp vanilla extract; ¾ cup oat milk*; ¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt*; 1 batch of healthy vanilla buttercream frosting

The ultimate healthy vanilla cupcakes that are easy to make, perfectly sweet, and super moist. Made with oat milk, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup, everyone will love these frosted cupcakes - you can't tell they are healthier!

The ultimate healthy vanilla cupcakes

Cupcakes are a classic dessert—sweet, fluffy, and so satisfying. But let's be real, most traditional recipes pack in way too much sugar and butter. That’s why I’m excited to share my healthier version, which honestly tastes even better than store-bought!

These healthy vanilla cupcakes are soft, moist, and perfectly fluffy. Topped with an easy homemade vanilla buttercream, they’re a total crowd-pleaser, just like my Healthy Vanilla Birthday Cake. Every time I bake them for a celebration or after dinner, my friends and family rave about how good they are!

Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just because, these cupcakes are perfect for kids and adults.

Trust me, you cannot tell these cupcakes are "healthy!" I promise.

What makes them healthy?

Here are four reasons these cupcakes are healthier than your typical recipe—but trust me, you’d never know the difference!

No Refined Sugar. We use maple syrup to naturally sweeten these fluffy vanilla cupcakes.
Less Butter. We use a third of the typical amount of butter in cupcake recipes. You only need 4 Tablespoons.
Added Greek Yogurt. Instead of some of the butter, we use Greek yogurt to make these cupcakes higher in protein and super moist.
More Protein. We use three egg whites, which add protein and make these cupcakes low in cholesterol.

oat milk and greek yogurt vanilla cupcakes with frosting

Ingredients needed

From oat milk to flour, these healthier vanilla cupcakes are made with simple, everyday ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

All-Purpose Flour: We use 1 and ¾ cups of regular all-purpose flour for the flour portion of this cupcake recipe.
Baking Soda: This helps the cupcakes rise.
Baking Powder: In addition to some baking powder.
Salt: For that perfect sweet and salty combo. If you use salted butter, do not add extra salt.
Butter: Then, grab 4 Tablespoons of unsalted butter. This makes the cupcakes incredibly soft and moist.
Maple Syrup: We sweeten these healthy cupcakes with maple syrup! The best natural sweetener.
Eggs: Next up, we need three egg whites - not the yolks - to help these cupcakes rise and hold together.
Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract adds the most wonderful flavor.
Oat Milk: We need ¾ cups of oat milk to create the batter. I love oat milk, but you can also use almond milk or 2% cow's milk.
Vanilla Greek Yogurt: ¼ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt makes these cupcakes so moist.

Kitchen tools needed

You’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools to whip up these healthy vanilla cupcakes—and you probably have them all on hand already!

Electric Hand Held Mixture or Stand Mixer
Spatula
Cupcake Tin
Cupcake Liners
Measuring Tools: 1 teaspoon, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup.

healthy vanilla cupcake batter in a bowl

How to make healthy vanilla cupcakes with frosting

These soft, fluffy vanilla cupcakes are healthy and super easy to make! Ready in under 25 minutes, they yield 12 perfectly moist cupcakes. Follow these step-by-step instructions, perfect for any level of baker:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with 12 liners.

Next, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter for 30-60 seconds until smooth. Add the maple syrup, egg whites, and vanilla, then beat on high for 1-2 minutes. Don’t worry if the butter looks a little separated—it’s totally fine!

Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two batches, beating on medium after each addition until just combined. The batter will be sticky, which is normal. Add the oat milk and mix for another 30 seconds. Finally, fold in ¼ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt with a spatula.

Fill each cupcake liner about ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking at the 12-minute mark. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out clean!

Let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack. While they cool, make your healthy homemade vanilla buttercream or dairy-free chocolate frosting. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them and add sprinkles if you’re feeling festive!

Video Tutorial

Baking tips for fluffy cupcakes:

These healthier vanilla cupcakes are a breeze to make, but a few tricks will guarantee they come out perfectly fluffy every time:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is a game-changer! Room-temperature butter and eggs mix more evenly into the batter, helping the cupcakes rise properly and bake evenly. Cold ingredients can lead to longer baking times or a gummy texture.
Don’t Overbeat the Batter: Be gentle! Overbeating can make your cupcakes tough and dense. Mix just until everything is combined to keep the texture light and airy.
Add the Flour in Two Parts: It might seem like an extra step, but adding the flour in two batches helps the wet ingredients absorb better, giving you a smoother batter.
Fold in the Greek Yogurt: For the fluffiest cupcakes, fold in the Greek yogurt with a spatula instead of using the electric mixer. This keeps the batter light and airy, ensuring your cupcakes rise beautifully and stay soft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What flour is best?

Stick with regular all-purpose flour for this recipe. Oat flour, almond flour, or coconut flour won’t give you the same result, so I don’t recommend those.

Can I use almond milk in place of the oat milk?

Absolutely! I love oat milk, but almond milk or even 2% cow’s milk works great here too.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! If you want 24 cupcakes, just double the ingredients and follow the same instructions. Be sure to line two cupcake tins.

What's the best healthy cupcake frosting?

I highly recommend this healthier vanilla buttercream frosting. It's made with just four simple ingredients, and it’s light, sweet, and perfect for piping on cupcakes and cakes. You can also use this rich and creamy dairy-free chocolate frosting.

What is the texture of these cupcakes?

These cupcakes are super soft, moist, and fluffy—way better than traditional cupcakes loaded with sugar.

Why did my cupcakes sink in the middle?

If your cupcakes sank, you might have opened the oven door too soon, or your baking powder could be expired. Make sure to wait until at least the 12-minute mark before checking on them, and always double-check that your baking powder is fresh—ideally, it should be used within 3 months of opening.

How to store frosted cupcakes:

Store any leftover frosted cupcakes in a deep, airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

healthy cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles

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Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!