Vanilla Anise Cupcakes
These vanilla anise cupcakes are moist and fluffy with a delicate combination of the sweet and aromatic flavors of anise, almond and vanilla!
Cupcakes are always so much fun to make (and decorate!!) and I think I caught the bug after these vanilla cupcakes with whipped vanilla bean frosting a few weeks ago. I decided to play with a basic vanilla recipe and try a new flavor. These vanilla anise cupcakes were born and seemed perfect to bring along to a virtual baby shower!
SURPRISE!! You are invited to a virtual baby shower in honor of Stephanie of Girl Versus Dough who is expecting a beautiful baby girl!! I’m so honored to be a part of this party as Stephanie is a food blogger I highly admire and I’m always inspired by her creative recipes, pictures and writing. Above all she is very kind, sweet and supportive to others, especially to a newbie blogger like myself.
In light of Stephanie’s sweet nature, I wanted to bring something delicate, beautiful and delicious (of course) to her baby shower. These vanilla anise cupcakes are just that and will be perfect for any baby shower. You guys the combination of vanilla, almond and anise in these cupcakes is just wonderful. Let me break it down…I started with a moist and fluffy vanilla-almond cupcake which is then topped with a creamy whipped vanilla anise frosting. I made my anise frosting with milk infused with anise seeds I received from my friend Renee giving the frosting the sweet and aromatic flavor of anise without overpowering the cupcake. You could add anise in the cupcakes as well but I chose to just have it in the frosting to allow the vanilla and almond to blend together.
I hope one day I will get the pleasure of meeting Stephanie and her little one! Being an adoptive MN native, I am sure we will make that happen. Until then, enjoy these pretty little cupcakes Stephanie! I hope they are perfect for a little princess and a lovely momma!

Vanilla Anise Cupcakes
These vanilla anise cupcakes are moist and fluffy with a delicate combination of vanilla-almond cupcakes topped with whipped anise buttercream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cake flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter cut into 1-inch cubes, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 1/2 cup (3 sticks) unsalted butter,
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk infused with anise pods (or just use regular milk + ¾ teaspoon anise extract)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
For Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the dry ingredients and mix on low-speed until well blended.
- Increase speed to medium-low and add the cubes of butter, one at a time mixing each one for a few seconds before adding the next. Mix until there are no large chunks.
- Add eggs, one at a time and mix well between each addition. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla and almond extract. Increase mixer speed to medium and add in the wet ingredients in 3 parts, mixing until incorporated and scraping down the bowls after each addition. DO NOT over beat otherwise you will end up with dense cupcakes.
- Divide batter into prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 17-20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from oven and let cool on cooling rack completely before frosting.
For Frosting
- I infused my milk with anise for 4-6 hours (aka soaking the dried pods in milk, covered in the refrigerator) before using. If you don’t have anise, you can use ¾ teaspoon pure anise extract and 3-4 tablespoons milk.
- Whip butter for 8 minutes on medium speed using the paddle attachment of an electric mixer. The butter will become pale and creamy
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on low-speed for 1 minute. Then increase speed to medium and mix for 6 minutes until the frosting is very light, creamy and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes.
Thank you Stephie, Taylor, and Stef for inviting me to take part in this shower. Be sure to check out all of the delicious recipes created in honor of Stephanie. Below is a list of bloggers participating in the festivities!
Happy Baby Shower Stephanie!!!
Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes from Sarcastic Cooking
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake with Lemon Drizzle from Greens & Chocolate
Super Chewy M&M Blondies from The Realistic Nutritionist
Strawberry Cinnamon Twist Knots from A Kitchen Addiction
Lemon Shortbread with Salted Chocolate Drizzle from The Lemon Bowl
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream from A Zesty Bite
Blackberry and Mango Curd Pie from Joanne Eats Well With Others
Pecan Sticky Buns from Warm Vanilla Sugar
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins from Garnish with Lemon
Chocolate Chip Pancakes from Susie Freaking Homemaker
Super Simple Sugar Cookies from Espresso and Cream
Raspberry Acai Frozen Margarita from Nutmeg Nanny
Berry Coconut Frozen Yogurt from The Law Student’s Wife
Pretty in Pink Buttercream Cups from Keep it Sweet Desserts
Broccoli Salad with Honey Toasted Walnuts from The Roasted Root
Neapolitan Baked Doughnuts from Climbing Grier Mountain
Giant Pink M&M and Raisinette Cookies from Steph’s Bite by Bite
No-Bake Rhubarb Cheesecake Parfait Cups from Hungry Girl Por Vida
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp from A Cedar Spoon
Freckled Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade from Take a Megabite
Vanilla Anise Cupcakes from Blahnik Baker
Mini Vanilla Bean Layer Cakes from The Baker Chick
Mini Blackberry Hazelnut Meringue Cakes from Eat Your Heart Out
MAKING THIS RECIPE? Share it with us on Instagram using #aclassictwist so we can see what you are baking up in your kitchen!
How stinking cute are these!! I would almost not want to eat them and just look at them, but that would be CRAZY!! Cuz these cupcakes are meant to be devoured
So pretty! And a big congrats to Stephanie! She is so sweet, love her! And I love all your fun cupcakes stands!
These are perfect for a virtual baby shower, too cute! I love that you used Anise, I know it adds intense and surprising flavor to the vanilla cupcakes!
These are too cute and I love the anise buttercream!
These look fantastic. Congratulations to Stephanie!
I agree that cupcakes are super fun! These seriously belong on the cover of a food gourmet magazine! Gorgeous pictures as always. 🙂
Love these cupcakes, they are perfect for a baby shower!
These cupcakes are precious!! Absolutely love the way you decorated them and those cupcake liners are so cute. Love Stephanie’s blog and this is such a sweet way to celebrate with her!
How adorable! Love the cupcake liners–they pair perfectly with the springy flowers.
Thanks!!
These are beautiful. I love the delicate little flowers on top. Perfect for a baby shower!!
What gorgeous cupcakes! Perfect for a party!
Girl, Your photography is getting better and better. Vanilla anise is such an unusual combo. Pinning these
These cupcakes are absolutely adorable! Pinned.
Thanks!!!
Absolutely gorgeous, and so perfect for a spring shower celebrating Steph!
These cupcakes are gorgeous! I love how tasty and unique the anise idea is! Brilliant! So happy to “meet” you through our girl Stephanie!
It’s very nice to meet you too!! I kinda have stalked you a few times :O but I am so glad Stephanie brought us from the shadows lol!
Such a cool flavour combination! These cupcakes are super pretty too 🙂
Thanks Katrina!!
Zainab, these are just the cutest and sweetest addition to this virtual baby shower! And I am dying over those polka dot cupcake liners 🙂 I am totally intrigued by the anise in these and would love to try a bite!
Awww thanks Amy!!!
Oh my word, these are STUNNING, Zainab! Thank you so, so much for this surprise. I hope we get to meet in real life soon because I owe you a big hug! 🙂
I’m so glad you were surprised and felt loved!!! You are one special lady and can’t wait to meet you 🙂
These are SO sweet! Love the wrappers and the piping!
These are beautiful Zainab! The tiny flowers on top are just perfect! Also, I love THAT cake stand!
The flavors sound like a wonderful combination!
Thanks dear!!
These are beautiful cupcakes! What a great item to bring to a baby shower!
These are the prettiest!!
This is such a sweet surprise! And you brought the perfect cupcake. I’ve actually never worked with anise … boy am I regretting that! These look absolutely delicious!
Mary Frances has such a sweet flavor. I know you will love it!! I bet you have tasted it in bakery goods you buy already.
Are you kidding me? These are soooo cute, Zainab! I can’t imagine seeing a prettier cupcake. And what an unusual flavour combination – vanilla anise. Just like ouzo cupcakes! (just in case you don’t know, ouzo is an aniseed-flavoured drink in Greece – very nice with fried feta cheese!)
Thanks Helen!! Now i really want to try those ouzo cupcakes…they sound amazing.
I love virtual baby showers! Such a fun idea! And these cupcakes, Zainab!! They are so unbelievably cute! I love the flavor combination, so unique. I love everything about these cupcakes!
These cupcakes are so gorgeous. What a perfect treat for Steph’s shower!
Thanks Lauren!
awwwww I love Stephanie-yayyyy!!!!! And these cupcakes are so so pretty and look delicious-anise is such a comforting flavor to me (Italian….we use anise in a lot of cookies n such) so lovelovelove!
Thanks Kayle!! I’ve only experienced anise in cookies from Italian bakeries and I am so glad I started baking with it!!
These are so freakin adorable!!
Congrats to Stephanie, and these cupcakes are beyond words…so pretty!
These are so cute, and perfect for a baby shower. I get so excited when I see anise, I love it and think it is way under-appreciated.
Awww Zainab this is so adorable! And these cupcakes look so delicious! Congrats to Stephanie!
Never have I ever seen such pretty little cupcakes! Thank you so much for participating today and making the day that much sweeter!
Thanks for inviting me girl!!!
Wow. These look like the most gorgeously decorated cupcakes ever- so springy and perfect for a baby shower!
Thanks Audra!!!
Absolutely stunning Zainab. Perfect for a baby shower. Love the cake stands
Pinned! Pinned! Pinned!
So beautiful. I love a bit of anise! x
These cupcakes look so perfect for spring! Colorful and bright! I am sure very delicious too.
Aw, what a sweet virtual baby shower! And these cupcakes have such a creative flavor combo. I don’t use anise nearly enough in my baking! I really like the idea of infusing the milk with the anise pods before baking — genius! (And, btw, I love how you styled these. Absolutely gorgeous!)
Thanks Jamie!! This was my first time baking with anise…I’ve tried it before in bought goods from Italian bakeries and I know how delicious it is. Now I know not to ignore it.
These look amazing, Z! I love the addition of the anise. I’m fairly certain those would be gone in a flash around my house. And I am jealous of your flower piping abilities, too!
Thanks David!!! They were kinda gone in a flash here too…except that I did take the entire batch (minus two) to a party at the shelter lol!
These cupcakes are seriously unbelievable!! I am so in love and you must teach me your frosting techniques. Mine are seriously terrible haha.
I’m so impressed by your creativity! What a great cupcake 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Zainab, these cupcakes are GORGEOUS! They look like they belong in a Parisian bakery window — so beautiful but simple, and I love the floral touches. So perfect for Stephanie’s baby shower!
Awww thanks Hayley!! Wish I was in Paris staring into a bakery window now lol!
I love how you add a little bit of extra WHOA to these with the anise infusion!! So fun! Also, those little flowers on top are just the cutest things. Ever.
such cute little cupcakes….even though it is summer now we felt it was adorable spring by looking at these beauties….absolutely irresistible treat and awesome food clicks as always,thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks guys 🙂 hope you have a good weekend!
Yay, you used the anise!!! The infused frosting looks AMAZING, that is such a great idea! I am definitely trying these cupcakes, maybe with a little cinnamon to reflect the biscochito cookie flavors that I sent you!
Yes I love the anise. Thank you so much for them. What a great idea to add cinnamon.those cookies were amazing.
Zainab, I LOVE that you’ve added anise to these adorable cupcakes. It’s a flavor I truly love and is so underutilized! And your cupcake papers are so cute too! Now I’m heading over to Stephanie’s blog to say hi and give my best wishes 😀
Thanks Allie!! Hope you love Steph’s blog. She is awesome!!
Your cupcakes look so sweet. I love the paper holders. I pinned your recipe so I can try it. Thank you!
Thanks Kathi!
Loving this cuties! Found you through the SITS Girls share fest. I will be a new fan for sure.
Thanks Krayl!!
Aw, these are just the cutest! Stephanie is a lucky gal, and so is her daughter. By the way, the addition of the anise in these is brilliant and so unexpected!
Thanks Nora!
I bought anise extract a while a go and haven’t used it yet, I’ll keep the icing in mind. I love those cupcake cases you’ve used, where did you get them from? I find it hard to find ones like that here in the UK.
I got these wrappers from Marshalls/ TJ Maxx a home goods store here. There might be places online you could try like bakeitpretty.com
Beautiful, as always! Pinning this.
Aaw, these are the cutest and prettiest cupcakes Z – so perfect to celebrate a shower for someone as sweet as Steph 🙂 Love the addition of anise too – pinning 🙂
Those are beautiful cupcakes and pics! I have some anise in my pantry, that I bought, and never used. I will have to try these. Please come share at the Anything Goes weekly linky party, if you have not already.
These are just so cute! I have anise, but I am always intimidated by it. You’ve really made me want to test it out with your recipe. By the way, the wrappers are so freaking cute, it’s stupid! I need them in my life!!