Cupcakes vs Muffins - The Difference
There really is a difference between cupcakes and muffins.
Many people living in my part of the world think that cupcakes = muffins. They can’t be blamed, for cupcakes are only marginally gaining popularity here. And I’ve seen bakeries and pastry shops making the same mistake. Little wonder that the general population is misled into thinking as such.
No matter, for even Shakespeare has said in ‘Romeo & Juliet’…
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet”.
Nonetheless, I shall try to list some differences with whatever limited knowledge I have.
- Cupcakes are cakes while muffins are breads. Need I elaborate more on that? I doubt so, for I would assume everyone knows the difference between cakes and breads.
- The difference in the basic formula. According to Diana’s Desserts, a basic formula for muffins is 2 cups flour, 2-4 tbsp sugar, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 egg, 1/4 cup oil/shortening/butter and 1 cup milk. When the fat, sugar and egg ratio in a recipe reaches double or more than this, you have reached the cake level.
- Frosting. Cupcakes come complete with frosting just like cakes, while muffins usually do not come with frosting.
- Taste. Cupcakes are sweet to the taste while muffins can be both sweet and savoury.
So you see, there really is quite a number of differences, and the list (above) is by no means exhaustive.
If anyone knows of any other significant differences to add to the list, do leave a comment or drop me an email so I can add it on.
