Cupcakes and Muffins

[shel]

What's the difference between them? Is it that cupcakes are generally lighter and sweeter, and frosted, or is there more to it than that?

Thanks,

Shel

[shroomgirl]

Shel, there used to be a big difference.....when did chocolate chocolate become muffins instead of cupcakes?

Joy of cooking probably has good definitions, mine are at the kitchen or I'd look them up.

cupcake batter is beaten more and the proportions seem different. Muffins you just mix lightly. both have flour, eggs, leavening, sugar (or sweetner...honey, molasses, etc) oil or butter, salt....then addins and sometimes toppings for muffins usually not cupcakes.

interesting topic.

[auzzi]

It used to be muffins were made using the "muffin method"

1. Sift together the dry ingredients.
2. Combine all liquid ingredients, including melted fat or oil.
3. Add the liquids to the dry ingredients and mix just until all flour is moistened. The batter will look lumpy. Do not overmix.
4. Place in muffin pans and bake immediately. The dry and liquid mixtures may be prepared in advance. But once the mixtures are combined, the batter should be baked without delay, or loss of volume may result.

Cupcakes, conversely, could be mixed using any cake mixing method from the two-step method, melt&mix, all-in, sponge-cake, creaming method to any combination of method.

As with most cases, the demarcation point is blurred and what-ever works, goes!