Good Cupcake Intentions Gone Bad

Sometimes the best laid plans don't produce perfect results. The recipe doesn't work or we leave out an ingredient. The oven doesn't bake evenly. We drop pans. We over or underfill the liners. I forget where I am and don't make adjustments for altitude. You know the drill.

nbbejcek

grrl + dog

mkecupcakequeen

(I have these liners & this has happened in my kitchen)

AND THE WINNER IS....

e.marie

Cupcake Disasters

I don't know why I started looking at these photos the day before I have to deliver cupcakes for a wedding...but I did. 

bassettsfarm  via  Flickr

nbejcek  via  Flickr

Nikita!  via  Flickr

Cupcake Disasters - Part 2

Part 2 of cupcake baking problems!


Cupcake centers are peaked

• batter was over-mixed


• oven temperature too high

Cupcakes shrink around the edges

• liners are too greasy


• too little batter


• batter over-mixed


• not enough liquid in the batter


• overbaked


• oven temperature too high
  

Cupcake tops are uneven

• oven rack is not level


• cupcake pans may be warped or bent

Cupcake crust is sticky

• cupcakes stored while still warm


• too much liquid


• underbaked


• oven temperature too low
  
• too much humidity in the environment

Cupcake Disasters - Part 1

No matter how carefully we prepare, sometimes our cupcakes just don't come out as we intended. What went wrong? The next two blog posts will explain some common causes of cupcake baking issues.


Cupcake texture too coarse

• too much baking soda/baking powder


• not enough liquid


• butter & sugar not creamed long enough (at least 5 minutes)


• oven temperature too low

Cupcakes are too dry

• overbaked


• oven temperature too high


• not enough sugar or shortening


• too much flour


• too much baking soda/baking powder

Cupcakes fell

• underbaked


• oven temperature too low


• liquid over/under measured


• batter too deep (too much per liner)


• pan moved before cupcakes were sufficiently baked


• leavening expired


• pick or tester inserted before cupcakes were sufficiently baked