High Altitude Cupcakes

I tried a new cupcake recipe yesterday, which always comes with a little anxiety at my Lake Tahoe altitude of 6900 ft. About halfway through the baking process I started to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach...which was followed by the actual sinking of the centers of the cupcakes. The good news is that the cupcakes tasted really good - despite the craters. Not even a ton of frosting could fill up those sinkholes so I ate the batter and threw the cupcakes away.

High altitude baking has many challenges and there are many resources available online. Here is the one I use the most:

High Altitude Baking: 200 Delicious Recipes & Tips for Perfect High Altitude Cookies, Cakes, Breads & More

Patricia Kendall - Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

Cupcake Inspiration

I am constantly scouring bookstores for new cupcake inspiration - recipes, ways to display the mighty cupcake, and decorations. Decorations are my passion and I like to experiment with all types of media - especially sugar flowers. I have absolutely no artistic ability but I can create gum paste copies from pictures. Thomas Edison said,"If I try 10,000 times to make something and it doesn't work, I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways not to make it." This accurately describes my sugar flower experiences.

My favorite sources of cupcake inspiration:

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat

Martha Stewart Living

125 Best Cupcake Recipes

Julie Hasso

Cupcakes
Elinor Klivans

The Artful Cupcake: Baking & Decorating Delicious Indulgences

Marcianne Miller

Crazy About Cupcakes

Krystina Castella




Hello Cupcake! Irresistably Playful Creations Anyone Can Make

Alan Richardson & Karen Tack