Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes?

Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes? - From above of bitten and whole festive chocolate cupcakes decorated with miniature american flags and placed on white table

Does anyone know of a "basic, universal recipe" for cupcakes?

I would like to find a cupcake recipe that will use the same basic ingredients with variations to change the flavor or add ingredients to my liking and tastes.



Best Answer

From personal experiences, reading cookbooks, and making far too many baked goods I've learned that it can be tricky to just adding extra ingredients while maintaining a universal base cake or cupcake recipe. However, with good judgment and some basic ingredients ratios you could come close to an archetype.

Some ratios (by weight) of basic ingredients include:

  • Pound Cake - 1 part each flour, eggs, fat, and sugar
  • Butter Cake - 2 parts each flour, and sugar. 1 part each eggs and fat

Beyond that here are some basic rules

  • The ratio of sugar to flour should be 1 to 1 in most recipes, maybe slightly higher in the sugar side of things.
  • Same with eggs, they should weigh about the same as your fats, possibly slightly more.
  • In general liquids measurements (including eggs) should weigh the same as or more than the sugar.
  • Eggs are in interesting ingredient. Whites tend to dry things out while yolks tend to make a richer more velvety texture. More yolks to whites (like in a yellow cake) make for creamer textures, the inverse make for drier more crumbly textures.
  • Then comes leavening. A teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour often does the trick.

Adding extra ingredients however can throw off your recipe. Bananas for example can replace some of the sugars and some of the fats. Peanut-butter some of the flours and some of the fat. Adding enough chocolate chips, though they stay pretty much contained, may not interfere with the other ingredients but will increase the density of your recipe and may require additional cooking time. Adding coco powder instead of flour usually deems the need for more egg yolks and sugars.

Really you just have to play around until you get a good feel for things.




Pictures about "Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes?"

Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes? - Halved ripe apricot near chocolate cupcake and assorted fruits on background
Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes? - Crop cook decorating cupcakes with toppings
Is there a basic, universal recipe for cupcakes? - Top view of crop anonymous person showing delicious cupcakes with blueberries and chocolate sweets against blurred background of various dessert



What is the secret to good cupcakes?

10 Tips for Baking the BEST Cupcakes
  • Follow the Recipe. Well, duh. ...
  • Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
  • Don't Over-mix, Don't Under-mix. ...
  • High Quality Cupcake Liners. ...
  • Fill Cupcake Pans Appropriately. ...
  • Oven Thermometer, Every Time. ...
  • 1 Batch in the Center. ...
  • Bounce-Back Test.


  • How do you make easy cupcakes?

    Instructions
  • Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl.
  • Stir in the beaten eggs and vanilla extract.
  • Sift in the self raising flour and mix until just combined. ...
  • Transfer the mixture into cupcake cases, filling half way.
  • Bake in oven for 20 minutes.


  • What is the secret to moist cupcakes?

    Sour Cream or Yogurt Or, if you want to make it even moister, you can proceed with your recipe for 12 cupcakes as is and add 1/2 cup of sour cream or yogurt instead. This acidic dairy product adds moisture to cupcakes and makes it denser as well.

    What makes a cupcake light and fluffy?

    The gluten and fat molecules in the batter are what helps the cupcake set and maintain its fluffy, light structure \u2013 give those molecules awhile (at least \u2154 of the total baking time) to set and stiffen up before you introduce any cold air to the atmosphere by sticking your nose in to check on things.



    Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes/How to make moist vanilla cupcakes/ Classic cupcakes




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, SHVETS production, SHVETS production