Cupcakes – hardly anyone can resist these sweet little cakes with their characteristic topping of cream & co. Shaped like cups and colorfully composed, cupcakes prove to be a feast for the eyes on any coffee table. These miniature works of cake art originating from the USA are absolutely trendy here too and are considered worthy successors to the well-known muffins.
On trend
No question – these mini cakes in paper liners with their invitingly decorated sweet toppings of cream, buttercream, chocolate, or whatever else have something special: They stimulate all the senses in a special way and thus even possess an erotic appeal. Since July 9, 2000, at the latest, the worldwide triumph of the cupcake has been unstoppable. On that day, it played an interesting role in the American cult series "Sex and the City" – sitting on a bench with Carrie and Miranda opposite New York's Magnolia Bakery. Whether it's a coffee klatch or a children's birthday party, Valentine's Day or a wedding, a business event or a company party – cupcakes quickly put any group in a great mood. Cupcakes are simply "in" – they are undoubtedly something very special: a dessert for special occasions and special days! Colorful and lovingly decorated, they quickly attract everyone's attention and make hearts beat faster.
General preparation
While cupcakes and muffins are similar in some ways, there are still differences – especially in terms of dough and decoration. The dough for cupcakes is not only softer but also sweeter. And the so-called cream topping is typical for cupcakes.
When making cupcakes, there are a few "rules" to follow. Airy sponge cake – that is what cupcakes are made of. In principle, this is quite easy to achieve with butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar, then stir in eggs. After that, add flour and baking powder and stir in milk. Finally, put the finished dough into muffin or paper liners and bake in a preheated oven for a maximum of 25 minutes at 180 °C. Now the little cakes are still missing: To do this, cut out the cooled cupcakes in the shape of a small cylinder, be sure to keep the cylinders – you need their upper halves as a lid after filling.
What remains to be conjured up now is the cream topping or the so-called frosting – this is exactly what makes a real cupcake. The range of sweet creams here is quite large: whether buttercream or pudding cream, meringue or just whipped cream, mascarpone or cream cheese, or whatever – there is something for pretty much every taste. Everyone should really find something they like here.
The frosting can be easily piped on with a piping bag after cooling. The various nozzles – for example in a star shape – now give the cupcakes that special touch. What is still missing now is the appropriate decoration: This can be chocolate shavings or chocolates just as well as sugar sprinkles, fruit gums, or whatever. Ultimately, the occasion and the recipe will be decisive here.
Chocolate Liqueur Cupcakes
The ingredients are quickly at hand:
- 2 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- 100 ml each of (neutral-tasting)
- Oil
- 5 tbsp chocolate liqueur
- 150 g flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 175 g butter each
Instructions:
- Powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 5 tablespoons of chocolate liqueur. Let's continue: Mix eggs and sugar until a creamy mixture is formed, then add oil and BAILEYS, then stir briefly, then stir in the previously mixed flour and baking powder.
- Fill the finished dough into the paper liners and bake – set the thermostat to 180 °C with a baking time of approx. 20 – 25 minutes. To make the frosting, first cream the butter, then gradually add all the ingredients (powdered sugar, cream cheese, and chocolate liqueur to taste) and mix briefly each time so that a consistent mass is created in the end.
- Then put it in the fridge and wait until the frosting has a sufficiently firm consistency. Then just top the cupcakes with the frosting and enjoy!
A recipe from Gutekueche.at makes you want more. A special Viennese specialty is the so-called Sacher Torte cupcakes. For those who find a large piece of Sacher Torte – because of the supposedly high calories – literally too much, they will find more than just a substitute in the sweet little Sacher Torte cupcakes: The latter not only look enchantingly sweet but also taste that way.
There are hardly any limits to the visual and culinary imagination. The eye eats with you once again: They are simply sweet, sugar-sweet – guaranteed to be worth every (calorie) sin.
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
Read also: Surprise muffins with chocolate
