Cup Cakes Tips n Tricks

I started making cupcakes about a year ago and ever since then I am always asked by people to make them. I have made lots of various flavours and styles but my Easter cupcakes have been the most popular.

There are a couple of tips that I have found useful when it come to making cupcakes which are as follows;

1. Cream your butter and sugar together as much as you can. The mixture should have no sugar grains visable and it should be a smooth and creamy texture.

2. Just before you add you last egg add one teaspoon of flour. This will help to stop the mixture from splitting.

3 Plain Flour or Self raising flour? Some recipes use plain flour with baking powder others use self raising flour. I prefer to use a good quality self raising flour and like to double sieve the flour, helping to make a lighter and fluffier cupcake.

4. Once you have filled the cupcake cases (only fill them half way), give the tray a quick shake. This will level out the mixture and hopefully all your cakes will rise the same.

5. Icing. buy a good quality icing bag with a selection of nozzles. This will prove invaluable when it comes to icing your cupcakes. Disposable bags just don't step up to the job. Buying a good icing bag can take you cupcakes from O.K. to WOW!!!!!.
Remember though that practice does make perfect and the more you ice the better you will become. There are tons of icing technique videos online which will show you the basics.