Cupcakes are a popular choice for home baking.
They are perfect for any special occasion or simply as a sweet and decadent snack on any day of the week.
Cupcakes give you the freedom to decorate on top, so you can create interesting designs that are both impressive and appetizing.
Cupcakes are mini cakes, so the ingredients and process are similar to cake making.
With flour being the main ingredient, it makes sense that to get the best cupcakes, you need to use the right flour.
What is the best flour for baking cupcakes, and how does it affect results when everything comes out of the oven?
You Can Use Any Type of Cake Batter for Cupcakes
If you have made a few cakes, then you can easily switch things up and make cupcakes instead.
Any cake batter will work for cupcakes with some adjustment to the cooking time.
Cupcakes take around 15 minutes to fully cook at 350°F.
You’ll know they’re done when the tops are soft and spongy to the touch.
You can also poke your cupcakes with a toothpick or wooden skewer.
If the wood comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready.
If you’re using a cake recipe and making everything from scratch, you should choose a flour that’s low in protein.
Let’s explain why…
When flour combines with the recipe’s wet ingredients, the protein begins to form gluten.
This results in firm-cooked ingredients.
Gluten is important for bread because it gives it a consistency that holds it together well.
Gluten isn’t as desirable when making cupcakes.
You’ll need flour that’s low in protein, to prevent the cupcakes from being too glutinous or firm.
The Best Flour for Cupcakes
All-purpose flour is used for muffins but not cupcakes.
Because cupcakes are just smaller cakes, you’ll want to use cake flour instead.
Cake flour has less protein than other types of flour.
Cake flour is simply a combination of regular flour and cornstarch.
You can buy it from stores and online, or you could even make it yourself at home.
For every ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, you can add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the mix.
This is roughly equivalent to commercial cake flour.
It’s nice to be able to make your cake flour in a pinch, although most home bakers find it easier to buy specialized cake flour.
You’ll be able to use it for your cupcakes, mini cupcakes, and standard cakes.
Swans Down Cake Flour is a popular choice.
This specially formulated cake flour perfectly balances the gluten so that cakes rise better with soft and moist interiors.
Remember that your cupcake tray is just as important as your ingredients.
You can use this Silicone Muffin Pan for perfect results and easy cleanup.
Bake Better with Cake Flour for Cupcakes
If you’ve been making cakes that are too firm and heavy, then you’re probably using the wrong flour.
Try cake flour and you’ll get softer and fluffier results that your whole family will love.
Specialized cake flour is the best flour for baking cupcakes.
