• Registered: 29-06-2011
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Cupcakes - help!!!

Hi everyone,

I am really getting into baking.  I have been making my own bread, brownies, flapjacks and even made two christmas cakes whoch I am going to decorate myself.

BUT, I am a bit rubbish at cupcakes.  I've made a couple of batches and whilst they taste okay, they are not dome shaped on top, they are irregular and wonky.

I use silicone cases, but would I be better using a metal cake tin with paper cases?  I want to decorate them too, so can you bake them in silicone cases, then swap them into paper for decorating?

Excuse if this sounds a silly question, but I only ask because I was given "The Hummmingbird Cafe Cake Book" by my wife and all their pictures show cupcakes in paper cases, not silicone so I am wondering if it is more appropriate to use paper ones with a metal tray.

Hope my questions haven't confused you - would love to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks
Stuart

  • Registered: 16-12-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: Cupcakes - help!!!

Hi,

I'm a bit of a novice myself so apologies if I give the wrong advice but I adore making cupcakes so can share my experience so far.

Cupcakes shouldn't really be domes if you wish to ice/frost them. It's easier to decorate when the cupcakes are flat/flatter. Don't fill your mixture right to the top, although if you wish to achieve a dome shape then you can. Ideally fill a cupcake 2/3 to the top.

Also, when decorating, it's your call if you wish to have this with or without paper cases. But if you want to have them encased in paper then this is done beforehand i.e. in a metal tin not silicone moulds as once cooked in a silicone mould, a cupcake will not neatly fit or adhere to the paper if you try to insert it into one. Silicone moulds eliminate the need for a paper case. And if you wish to decorate a cupcake from a silicone mould, you should remove it from the mould first as this will be easier.

Finally, some recipes within the Hummingbird books result in rather moist cupcakes which I have found peels my paper case once they begin to cool and sometimes the next day. I have tackled this by filling the case more so the cake rises right to the top or using silicone moulds which eliminates the use of a case.

Hope that helps.

  • Registered: 20-06-2010
  • Posts: 2

Re: Cupcakes - help!!!

Hi i have tried quite a few recipes for cupcakes the best i have found is the Mary Berry Victoria sponge recipe, its a all in one and brilliant makes light fluffy cakes i use the 4oz recipe for a small cake tin, i put softened butter/stork, eggs,sugar and a drop of good vanilla extract (never vanilla essence has to be extract)in my Kenwood chef and beat for about 1 min on slow speed then i sift the flour,baking powder  in start on slowest speed ( at this point i usually get covered in a puff of flour, i must invest in a cover for my bowl ) and increase to  about 6  on the dial for another 2-3 mins untill really light and fluffy, put in cake cases and cook for about 12 - 15 mins have a go and good luck
http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/495 … a-sandwich

Last edited by suzie45 (03-01-2012 15:30:11)

  • Registered: 15-02-2012
  • Posts: 11

Re: Cupcakes - help!!!

You can use cases in your silicon tin, don't worry, i do it all the time!! :-)
I use 70g of sr flour, caster sugar & stork, 1 egg, 1 cap of vanilla and a splash of milk. No sifting, no messing, all in one bowl and mix. Cakes come out perfectly after 22 mins at 180.

Good Luck!