When baking cupcakes and muffins, there are two reasons why the batter has to be divided equally among the holes in the muffin pan. First, you want your cupcakes or muffins to be the same size. Second, and this is related to the first, because you want your cupcakes or muffins to bake evenly. If some holes have less batter than others, the cupcakes or muffins in those holes with yield smaller cupcakes or muffins and they will be overbaked before the cupcakes or muffins in the holes with more batter are done.
So, you want the baked goodies to be the same size. Which means you have to fill the holes equally. How?
When the batter is thin (pourable), I use a measuring cup. One-fourth or one-third measuring cup for large muffins or cupcakes.
When the batter is thick and cannot be poured, I use an ice cream scoop — the kind you press to release the ice cream or, in this case, the batter.
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Because you’re actually measuring the batter at the same time as you’re filling the holes, the batter is divided equally (well, more or less) and the baked cupcakes or muffins rise evenly, brown evenly and are of the same size.
And when you serve the cupcakes, everyone gets equal share. In my family, that’s very important. Even the amount of frosting must be equal; otherwise, there are complaints.
Loosely packed and firmly packed brown sugar, illustrated
this tip is really very timely since i am going to try to make cupcakes. of course, i have your recipes to follow.
thanks!
I forgot to mention that ice cream scoops come in different sizes just like the holes of muffin and cupcake pans.
I also use ice cream scoop for cookies, Ms. Connie. It’s very convenient. Also, when I intend to freeze some of the cookie dough, I portion them using ice cream scoop, let them firm up in the freezer and then transfer them in a zip lock bag and freeze. If I want a freshly baked cookie, I could just pop them in the oven, no need to defrost.
Oh, that’s a neat trick, shaping then freezing. :)
Oh, I don’t use ice cream scoop when making cupcakes cos I don’t have one. Maybe that’s why my cupcakes are always uneven. Have to trim them before frosting.
wonderful cupcakes. i’d like to try my hand on baking. can you advise me which brand of oven to buy and what do i need to consider, especially when baking cakes and breads?
I recommend a convection oven (fan assisted, electric — just Google it).
A convection oven instead of the usual baking oven?
Also: Thanks for this tip! My cupcakes are not even because I only use a spoon. Our pans are for mini-cupcakes so I might try checking how many tablespoons I should try putting into the papercups/paper lining.
Yes, I have a gas oven (Elba) and a convection oven (Ariston), I’ve compared and the convection oven yields more evenly baked cakes and cookies with lightly browned tops.
Hi Ms. Connie,
Thanks for the measuring cup technique for the thinner batters. I just tried your chocolate cupcake with the cocoa cream cheese frosting and my husband who is not a fan of cupcakes, loved it! Di lang nga pantay yung sizes kasi i just approximated the amount of batter for each muffin hole.
I’m practicing baking cupcakes for my daughter’s 3rd birthday party:)
Thanks again :)
Hi Ms. Connie,
i want to ask if i can use our oven toaster or microwave oven for baking cupcakes??? yan lng po kasi yung available naming gamit..Salamat po….
Subukan mo. Tapos ikaw mag-decide kung magugustuhan mo yung resulta.