Tips for Really Great Cupcakes

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_P_Stevens]Jan P Stevens
Cupcakes are a great treat and making them is a lot of fun. To make the baking and decorating process even easier there are a few simple tips worth following. From mixing the ingredients to frosting, these tips will go a long way towards making the whole process far more enjoyable and the results will speak for themselves.
One of the best tips to lessen the cleanup process is to use paper or foil liners that will prevent the baked cupcakes from sticking to the pan, this will greatly speed up the cleaning time. The special liners even come in different colors and designs. A very good method of filling the liners is to use an ice cream scoop that you can get from most grocery stores. A benefit of using the ice cream scoop is that the amount of batter in each liner is more consistent, which promotes better baking. Also it's worthwhile to rotate the cupcakes around the half way mark while they're in the oven. This ensures that the cupcakes won't be burnt or over cooked which tends to happen due to uneven temperatures within the oven. Now to remove the hot cupcakes from the baking tins, you can slide kitchen tongs around the sides of the tins and carefully pop the cupcakes out.
Now the cupcakes are ready for the frosting, which is an exciting part of the decorating process. This can be a little difficult if you've never done it before but after some practice you'll soon be an expert. While you're mixing the ingredients for the frosting, add the butter then sugar just before the butter melts. Cream cheese will be very similar to butter so you'll need to add the sugar right before it melts. The frosting should be smooth but not lumpy or grainy so it's good to actually taste it to see if it's just right. Now when you're ready to apply it to the cupcakes, a spatula is the best tool to use. You just need to remember that the frosting should complement the cupcakes, not contrast to it. So apply just enough frosting to the cupcakes while being careful not to make it too thick and overpowering.
When you would like to store the wonderful cupcakes you've just finished baking and frosting, its best to use an airtight container and keep them at room temperature as refrigeration can actually dry them out a little. When you want to take the cupcakes to your function for all your family and friends to enjoy, special cupcake carriers can be used, as can individual boxes that keep them neat and tidy and prevent the cupcakes from getting crushed or messed up.
By following these useful tips, you'll enjoy the whole cupcake experience even more and you'll have great cupcakes.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-for-Really-Great-Cupcakes&id=6657299] Tips for Really Great Cupcakes