Basic Cupcake Recipe with Variations

Step one
1 Preheat oven to 350F.
2 Line 12 muffin cups with paper or silicon liners.
Step two
1 Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
2 Add the eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla.
3 Mix on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
4 Fold optional ingredients.
Step three
1 Fill each paper liner 3/4 full.
2 Bake until the cakes are lightly browned, spring back lightly touched or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 18 minutes.
Step four
1 Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes.
2 Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
3 Fill and frost as desired.