Recipe Video - OnlineCook

February 19, 2025

Inspired by the go-to birthday cake, these high altitude yellow cupcakes have been adjusted for elevation so that they always come out fluffy, soft, and pretty! Then, they're topped with fluffy, fudgy chocolate buttercream for a delicious, classic treat. They're just the best!

18 Ingredients

Recipe

High Altitude Yellow Cupcakes With Chocolate Buttercream

Sunday Table

Ingredients

Cupcakes

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Original Post

High Altitude Yellow Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two cupcake pans with paper cupcake wrappers.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is pale yellow and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Stir in half of the flour mixture followed by half of the milk. Repeat with the remaining flour mix and milk, stirring just until combined. Don't overmix!

Divide the batter evenly between the 24 cupcake wrappers, until the cups are about 2/3 full each. Bake the cupcakes for 12-14 minutes, just until an inserted toothpick has a few moist crumbs.

Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream

In a large bowl, beat the butter for a couple of minutes until it is fluffy. Add the cocoa powder and mix until combined.

Next, add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until the frosting comes together. Then, add the whole milk or heavy cream 1 Tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and reaches your desired texture.

Whip the buttercream for 5-6 minutes until it is light and fluffy. Pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes with a piping bag and tip. Or, use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread the frosting onto the cupcakes. Decorate as desired. Enjoy!

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Smart Nutrition

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

High Altitude Flour Adjustment 🏔️
For high altitude baking, reduce all-purpose flour by 2-3 tablespoons per cup to prevent dense, heavy cupcakes and maintain a light, airy texture.
Moisture Magic 💧
Add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream or whole milk to compensate for moisture loss at high elevations, ensuring cupcakes remain soft and tender.
Leavening Agent Balance ⚖️
Decrease baking powder by 1/4 teaspoon and baking soda by 1/8 teaspoon per cup of flour to prevent over-rising and potential collapse at high altitudes.
Temperature Precision 🌡️
Increase oven temperature by 15-25 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce baking time by 3-5 minutes to account for faster evaporation at higher elevations.
Buttercream Stability 🧈
Chill butter slightly before mixing to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy chocolate buttercream that holds its shape perfectly.