Page 319 - Chocolate Cake Doctor

M U F F I N S , C U P C A K E S , A N D L I T T L E C A K E S 301

stay there until you pull another one time of the day, such as the Chocolate
out, pop it in the microwave, and get Peanut Butter Muffins with Peanut But-
another chocolate fix. ter Drizzle, and the Pumpkin German

How to turn your favorite cake recipe Chocolate Chip Muffins. Cupcakes, on
into muffins or cupcakes? It’s possible the other hand, would be frosted and
with almost any recipe, but you’ll have festive, perfect for parties. Some of my
the best results if the cake is sturdy in favorites are the Chocolate Banana Cup-
structure, containing 3 to 4 eggs, possi- cakes with Pine apple Cream Cheese
bly a package of pudding mix, not too Frosting, the Red Velvet Cupcakes with
much liquid, and just a few add-ins like White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frost-
chocolate chips and nuts. Yet the only ing, and the Little White Chocolate Pound
way to know for sure is to just give the Cakes with Quick Caramel Frosting.

recipe a go. I prefer to line muffin pans
with paper liners, but you can spray “Chocolate is a permanent thing.”
them with a misting of vegetable oil —MILTON S. HERSHEY
spray. Fill the cups from two-thirds to
three-quarters full, and bake at 350°F. Not falling into either category are
The little baked cakes need to rest in the the other little cakes—the miniature
pan for about 5 minutes before you turn loaves, baby Bundts, and baby angel food

them out onto a rack to cool completely. cakes. (These baby angels are baked in
Then eat for instant pleasure or freeze for mini angel or tube pans, but their bat-
future gratification! ter may contain whole eggs. So, they’re
So, what makes a muffin a muffin not actually angel food cakes.) You can
and a cupcake a cupcake? Generally, buy these pans at houseware and cook-
muffins tend to be less sweet and more ware stores, and they are so much fun
dense in texture than cupcakes. Because to use. They make beautiful presenta-
my editor, Suzanne Rafer, begs for con- tions for special occasions—or just any
sistency, I decided that muffins would occasion, such as sharing with a friend

be those unfrosted cakes you eat any on a longer-than-planned train ride.