Tips for better Cupcakes

Let's just face it: cupcakes are ALL the rage right now. People are looking for bakeries across the nation, with innovative flavors like wasabi-chai and classics like red velvet.

I've gone to so many parties lately and all people seem to make are these small wonders. However, I have come to an uneasy conclusion: most people can't make cupcakes to save their lives. So... I have decided to put together some quick tips to enhance your cupcakes.

1) Balance your flavors -- One of the things smacked me in the face in the very first bite of the aforementioned cupcakes is how god-awful sweet they were -- too sweet. I love sugar, but I needed a break. Salty, bitter and spicy flavors can enhance the flavors of your cupcakes SO much. ALWAYS add a tsp of salt to your batter, with every 12 cupcakes you make. If your cake is really sweet, try a bitter frosting, like dark chocolate, or vice versa. 

My vanilla cupcakes with raspberry butter cream frosting

2) Get that texture right -- No one wants to eat cupbreads... we want cupcakes. So, that fluffy, soft texture is what we aim for. First of all, don't over mix. That is the easy way to get a very tough consistency. Also, add one of the following to the mix (or more if you're feeling inventive): sour cream, buttermilk, mascarpone cheese, or vegetable oil. You won't taste any of these items (with the exception of the mascarpone), because you will most likely only use 1/4 cup per dozen, but what it does for the texture is great. My personal favorite is the sour cream. Trust me on this one.

3) Add magical ingredients -- There are certain things that can take a regular cake to extraordinary: a) real vanilla beans: so much better than extract, if you can afford the luxury. b) instant espresso powder: if you are using chocolate, use 1-2 tsp of this simple trick. You won't taste this small amount, but it really enhances the flavor of the chocolate. The same with c) cinnamon: Even an 1/8 tsp cinnamon can bring out the flavor of the chocolate you use, or with up to a Tbsp of use, make a typical cream cheese frosting interesting and new.

4) Enhance your presentation -- As any chef would say, you eat with your eyes first. So, buy cute liners, toothpick inserts, sprinkles, etc. Also, take your time when icing them and buy different tips. You can even use food coloring to entice people's pallets. I have already bought white, snowflake sprinkles for Christmas, molds of candy canes to make chocolate toppers, and Nut Cracker liners and inserts. :D


5) Play around with flavors -- Don't be afraid to use new ingredients. Fruits in butter cream, almond extract, orange & chocolate. Even savory flavors are great. The other day I had a date & fig cupcake with allspice. It was pretty amazing.
 
All in all, have a great presentation, texture, make sure your flavors are balanced, use elevated ingredients, and make adventurous choices. If you do this, there is no doubt your cupcakes will impress.

Happy baking!

--Chels