These Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting are light, fluffy and topped with a yummy chocolate frosting.
One of my favorite homemade treats would definitely be a yellow cupcake with chocolate frosting. Many of the cake recipes from both of my Grandmother’s and their Mothers use vegetable shortening. Grandma Rusin explained that many of the recipes that came from her family utilized shortening, because butter wasn’t readily available during the Great Depression. I will say, that you can certainly substitute butter instead of the vegetable shortening. But using vegetable shortening is exactly what makes these yellow cupcakes so super moist and fluffy. 
High quality ingredients are always going to give you the very best results. I keep the pantry stocked with plenty of King Arthur Flour (of course I’m rather fond of anything produced in New England!) and Boyajian baking essentials. They make some of the best baking and cooking oils. Some of my personal favorites are their vanilla, maple flavoring, lemon, lime and orange oil. These oils are pure- nothing added. So for an example, if you buy lemon extract at the grocery store, it’s got alcohol and water added. Boyajian’s pure lemon oil is exactly that. Nothing else added. So you have a pure powerful flavor of lemon. Just a little goes a long way.
These cupcakes will do well if you sift the flour. Nothing fancy required, just a regular fine mesh, stainless steel strainer will do. This helps fluff the flour and make these cupcakes super light. If you do not want to make cupcakes, you can certainly make a Bundt cake with this recipe. You’ll want to bake the cake for about 50-60 minutes. Since Valentine’s day is coming up- these yellow cupcakes would be so pretty sprinkled with little Wilton heart sprinkles. Sprinkle them on while the frosting is wet and they will stay put once the frosting sets up.
Yellow Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 3 large egg yolks room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Chocolate Frosting:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter softened
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- pinch of salt
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together granulated sugar and vegetable shortening. Add the vanilla extract, eggs and egg yolks, one at a time. Combine well. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula occasionally. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.
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Add the sifted flour and milk, alternating between the two. Mix for about 1 minute, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, making sure everything is thoroughly combined. Line regular size cupcake pan with papers. Scoop evenly into 18 cupcake papers.
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Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick when inserted comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.
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In a large bowl, using a hand mixer on slow speed, beat together powdered sugar, salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, softened butter and whole milk. Add a little more milk if needed. Whip on high speed until the frosting is smooth and the consistency you desire.
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Scoop the frosting into a pastry bag or a large Ziploc bag, cut the tip off and pipe evenly onto the cupcakes.
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Jessica, these SO remind me of the cupcakes my Mom made when we grew up, so I made a batch and they were AWESOME! Great recipe, oh and the frosting is sooooo good. Going to make these again!
I love a good homemade cupcake, too! How special that you get to make and share recipes passed down through your family.
These simple cupcakes are the star of the show for sure! No bells and whistles just light, fluffy and delicious. Then adding the chocolate frosting makes these the perfect treat.
The classic cupcake never goes out of style. These are great for birthday parties, special occasions or to take along when you are invited out for dinner.
This is such a classic! I wish a had one of these right now…or maybe just a bowl of that chocolate frosting. Oh my goodness, I am drooling!
These cupcakes have my name on them! I am going to try them and also checkout the lemon oil too! I love lemon!
you just inspired me to make some cupcakes…i havent made them in forever.
Oh these look so divine! Sometimes simple is best, and that’s exactly what these traditional cupcakes are. Me, I would eat the chocolate frosting first 🙂
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is such a classic combo! I haven’t had it in ages!! YUM!!
What a great recipe for yellow cupcakes and chocolate frosting! They definitely will be a hit at any party!)
LOVE classics! That simple spongy yellow cake is amazing and oh my my, that frosting is a killer! My kids would happy eat them all!
Yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting are a favorite of mine! And these look so delicious. Beautiful photos!
They look amazing! That chocolate frosting is mouthwatering!
Yup! I am all about this life. These honestly remind me of grade school when it was someone’s birthday. Awwwww the memories!!
The simplicity of the cupcakes looks great. I am a huge cupcake fan so I think I’ll be making these next.
There is no better comfort dessert than a tradition cupcake with chocolate fosting
These cupcakes look so good! I am a sucker for a simple dessert, and yellow cake with chocolate icing is such a classic!
These cupcakes looks delicious! Just in time for the Fourth Of July too. Thanks.
These cupcakes have my mouth watering – I do love a cupcake now and again. That frosting looks absolutely delectable.
This is so simple yet delish and yummy looking cupcakes, I love the fluffiness of the chocolate frosting
Well, now I’m drooling haha! I haven’t had a cupcakes in years! Need to remedy that!
Who can say no to desserts? Especially a chocolate frosted cupcake. That looks amazing and easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe, I’d love to make as a snack during breaks.
I totally want to be able to reach through the screen and grab one of these, they sound like they would taste amazing! YUM!
Omg these look so freaking yummy! I wish I wasn’t on a diet or I would be making these for my kiddos. Yum!!!
yum! One of my favorite things to make with the kids with this simple, yet delicious, treat.
This is my favorite combination! YUM!!!! The cake looks very fluffy, just as it should be.
Yellow cakes and chocolate frosting are fullproof!
Wow, this is something new to bake. Saving the recipe for later. Thanks!
These cupcakes with chocolate frosting looks so delicious and I am bookmarking this recipe for sure
Yum do these cupcakes look good! I’ll have to pin this for the next time I need to do some baking!
Yellow cupcakes are some of my favorite! I love it with the chocolate frosting because it’s a great balance between the chocolate and the cupcake.
I love moist cupcakes. I gave it a try and it’s moist. Just one thing, I substituted butter over shortening to make it more flavorful. And it turned out fluffy.
The girls LOVE yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting. We make them during the weekends with sprinkles. Who doesn’t love a little sprinkles in their life 🙂