You're either have a gummy top, tough texture, peel away from your liner, beautiful dome only while in the oven then you sink in the middle once out, bland taste, or just missing that special something.  Why do I put up with you, especially when chocolate taste SOOOOO much better?

P.S.  You may have won these battles, but I'm gonna win the war!  I will not give up without a fight!   

BTW, I call you Mister, because only a man could be this difficult to work with ;p

Stats:
WIN - 0 
LOSS - 6


*just venting*  

I am a scratch and box baker, Trader Joes has a great vanilla box mix. Give it a try. They also have a new line of chocolate and yellow box mixes. I have only tried the chocolate and it is amazing.

I feel your vanilla cupcake pain . I have had the same experiences. I've tried scratch and box and each one seems to have a different problem. I love a good vanilla cupcake so I am continuing the search. I will try Trader Joe's next.

I agree with everything you stated. I have yet to find a recipe I am happy with.

Mister Vanilla Cupcake is being a total, self absorbed jerk! He needs to learn how to treat a lady, or he's going to find himself living on the curb. Don't give up honey... once you figure him out, he'll totally be worth the effort.

I get perfect cupcakes everytime using this doctored recipe:

1 BC white or vanilla mix
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 package instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
Water called for by mix
Oil called for by mix

I place all the wet ingredients in the bottom of the bowl to my KA, place sieve on top of bowl and sift all the dry into the bowl. Beat and bake at 325º Remove cupcakes from pan and place on cooling rack IMMEDIATLY after removing from the oven.

ap- all purpose? just checking to make sure lol

Yep! All Purpose--sorry, I should have spelled it out.

Now don't be hating on poor Mister Vanilla Cupcake! He's fussy and finicky but well worth the trouble. I've been using this recipe:

http://www.joyofbaking.com/WhiteCupcakes.html

I usually substitute buttermilk for the milk and add a scraped vanilla bean.

Cakeythings - the joy of baking recipe uses separated eggs, not something I have done before, does the whisked white really make a difference?
Also, I see the sugar is granulated - I usually use caster - does it stay crunchy or does it dissolve easily?

I agree with the original poster on theis thread - it is so hard to find a vanilla recipe that actually tastes fabulous and not just plain spongey!!

Kansaslaura
The half package of instant pudding in your recipe, does that mean half a large package or the small package?

Half of the small 4 serving size.

For how long do you bake them, Kansas? Toothpick test, or springy touch test or something else?
Thanks.

Texastj...You're gonna fit in well here..LOL..You made me laugh....

LOL! you are so funny and what you said about men is completely true!....

It's always my Mr. Chocolate cupcakes that give me fits. they are the ones that sink in the middle etc.. and drive me insane....!

my vanilla always are fine...

i use the WASC recipe for my cupcakes and have never had a problem...

good luck finding one that works!!!
any suggestions for chocolate!?!?

WOW!!!! Thanx ladies for your comments and for putting a smile on my face. I really needed that.

Melvira for a minute there I forgot we were talking about cupcakes

Thanx Kansaslaura and Cakeythings for sharing your recipes. And lolobell, I use the Hershey's Perfect chocolate cake recipe. Comes out perfect every time.

My great search will continue. I'm sure that special cupcake is out there just waiting for me to find him. And once I do, I will devour him piece by piece and maybe just maybe smoke a cigarette after I'm done.

HAPPY BAKING EVERYONE!!!

Hehehe... "Do you smoke after baking, baby?" Well, yah, but only if I burn it! Why do I hear that in Austin Power's voice in my head?

I believe there is a limit to how long the perfect vanilla cupcake can allude you. You're closing in on him fast. Let's just hope when you find him... he's not attracted to other vanilla cupcakes.