When my husband and I first met, we were watching a cooking competition show where a contestant, compelled to create something delicious in the woods, chose to bake a cake in little tin boxes. using an oven built on the ground. She turned to me and yelled at me in disbelief, “Can you do that?
I said, "Well...cupcakes...".
I sat up in unbridled joy when the word - and the fact that it was a literal description of the baked good it called for - hit me. After I stopped laughing, I asked her what she thought the cupcakes were so far. His response: "I don't know...sugar muffins?"
In fact, his guess was not only amusing but also quite accurate. The question also arises as to what exactly distinguishes the two baked delicacies in individual portions. Muffins and cupcakes are made in the same pan, in the same mold, and with the same ingredients. So is it just the sugar content?
It turns out that the contrast lies in a few things: taste, texture, cooking method, and (yes) a little sugar.
What Are Cupcakes?
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The concept of pouring cake batter into many small baking cups instead of one larger pan coined the term "cupcake", literally cup-sized cakes.
The cake/cupcake batter is made using the so-called "cake mix" method, in which the batter is first mixed with butter and sugar. Then the wet ingredients are added, followed by the dry ingredients, beating in between, then longer. The result is a spongy, soft, smooth, and consistent dough. This lighter batter is baked at a lower temperature, allowing for a slow, even rise, resulting in a smooth, flat surface for decorating. And cupcakes always have some kind of decorative frosting, usually frosting. Some also have an extra filling in the center, such as extra frosting, compote, Nutella, or another chocolate spread or jam.
The cupcakes have the texture of a cake (because it is a cake), a firm and homogeneous crumb. Flavors range from typical chocolate and vanilla to more creative flavors with herbs or even potato chips.
What Are Muffins?
Just like cupcakes are made from cake, muffins are made from bread. Specifically, a bread made quickly using a chemical leavening agent instead of yeast.
And since cakes are made using the “cake mix method,” muffins are made using the “muffin mix method,” a system in which dry and wet ingredients are mixed separately in their own bowls, then gently mixed together. This thick, lumpy, and much less uniform batter is baked at a higher temperature to ensure the muffins are fully cooked before the outside is overcooked. The result is a denser, bread-like texture with a thicker crumb. The tips are serrated and more pronounced, some even crispy or crunchy.
Muffins are not considered a "side dish" per se, although they may be coated in frosting or a muffin. In general, muffins are lower in sugar and often contain fruits (fresh, frozen, and thawed or dried), nuts, and whole grains. They can also be savory, with cheese, cornmeal, herbs, or vegetables.
Cupcakes vs. Muffins: The Ingredients
Cupcakes and muffins share similarities in their basic ingredients of flour, sugar, and fat, but in many cases, the similarities end there.
My husband's nickname "sugar muffin" assumes that all cupcakes are sweeter than muffins. It's true: muffins contain more sugar and fat (oil, butter or dairy products). In fact, the ratio of sugar, fat and eggs to flour can be up to twice that of a muffin.
Bagels have also been known to use healthy alternatives like applesauce instead of vegetable oil, mashed bananas instead of eggs, whole wheat flour, nut flour, or oatmeal instead. all-purpose flour.
Either way, there's more than enough room in our lives for these two cupcakes.
