Who doesn’t love cupcakes? They’re cute, bite-sized, and perfect for any special occasion. And they’re also pretty easy to make.
If you’re up for an awesome cupcake-baking spree, here are some tips on getting them just right!
#1 Don’t over or under mix
Yup, you heard us right. This tip has its roots in science. Mixing is all about working with the gluten in your flour. Over mixing can over-develop the gluten, which results in cracks forming on the surface of your cupcakes.
On the other hand, not beating your cupcakes enough under-develops the gluten, which means your cupcakes may end up crumbly and flaky with a collapsed center.
Make sure you mix it just right by setting your beater on low and stop the moment you see all the ingredients combined for cupcakes that are firm and flavorful.
#2 Use a scooper
Use a scooper to place your batter so that your portions are even and consistent. Using a spoon means that the cupcake batter may not be distributed well and could also lead to an unnecessary amount of work.
As a rule of thumb, make sure to fill 2/3 of your cupcake liners with the batter for best results. The liners also make sure the cupcakes don’t stick to the pan. Make sure you use the right cupcake pans and liners to get the best results.
#3 Don’t hold back on the frosting
One of the most fun things about cupcakes is the frosting. Go all out and frost the whole surface of your cupcake so each bite packs a punch.
It’s not all about decoration either. Frosting helps seal the moisture in, resulting in moister cakes, because dry cupcakes are a downer.
#4 Don’t leave them out for too long
Cupcakes need to be left out to cool after they come out the oven. However, don’t just walk away and forget about them. Ten minutes is more than enough for cooling. Once the timer goes off, transfer them to a wire rack.
Leaving them in a pan means they can continue to cook even when they’re out of the oven. And who wants burnt cupcakes?
Wait for your cupcakes to completely cool before frosting them. If the cupcakes are still warm, your frosting will melt right off!
#5 Store them right
Storing your cupcakes properly means you have more time to enjoy them! Pop them in an airtight container to preserve their moisture.
Make sure the container has enough height so you don’t smash the frosting you worked so hard on.
Two days tops and your cupcakes will go dry stored at room temperature. If you’re going past the 2-day mark, pop them in the ref or the freezer. You’ll be surprised at how long they keep.
As an added bonus, click here for tons of cupcake ideas! We really hope you’ll enjoy baking these as much as we loved coming up with the recipes. Cupcake baking is an art form and we’re sure you’re going to be a smashing artist!
Let us know how it goes in the comments!
