the other big difference is the frosting. i've never had a frosted muffin.
and as a side note, muffins are only MARGINALLY healthier than cupcakes, so why not just have a cupcake for breakfast instead? if it's what you're really craving...
except chocolate muffins. but then, really, the line blurs. then you get a sweet bread and you head down a slippery slope of food products baked in a round tin.
anyone make square cupcake tins?
Anonymous said…
I think muffins with frosting are still muffins and cupcakes without frosting is still a cupcake! There is no way of telling except by asking the baker!
Anonymous said…
I think it's all about the size of the item.. cupcakes are small, muffins a little larger.
Anonymous said…
no no no no no.... muffins are mixed differently and they are bigger. if you put frosting on a muffin it does not become a cupcake. they are different things. u fool. and since when would someone ever put frosting on a muffin???
Muffins are regularly frosted in Australia, and can be either sweet or savoury, however, they are still muffins.
Generally muffins are larger than cupcakes and will always have a more bread like texture.
The difference is in the making process.
As muffins are not beaten, but rather, ingredients are gently 'folded' during the making, the gluten strand of the flour does not break down and they have a more bread like texture.
Cupcakes are made with a cake mix, beaten until smooth and the gluten strand is ripped to pieces, so you get a smoother crumblier texture.
Either can be dry or moist, frosted or not, big or small.
But generally cupcakes are sweeter, frosted and a great quick bite size treat, making them very popular with children.
Comments
and as a side note, muffins are only MARGINALLY healthier than cupcakes, so why not just have a cupcake for breakfast instead? if it's what you're really craving...
Sorta like pastry dough can be sweet or savory depending on if you are making profiteroles (cream puffs) or a quiche.
Cause you could make banana cake and banana bread, although I don't think zucchini cupcakes would be a hit.
anyone make square cupcake tins?
Generally muffins are larger than cupcakes and will always have a more bread like texture.
The difference is in the making process.
As muffins are not beaten, but rather, ingredients are gently 'folded' during the making, the gluten strand of the flour does not break down and they have a more bread like texture.
Cupcakes are made with a cake mix, beaten until smooth and the gluten strand is ripped to pieces, so you get a smoother crumblier texture.
Either can be dry or moist, frosted or not, big or small.
But generally cupcakes are sweeter, frosted and a great quick bite size treat, making them very popular with children.
Wrasse, Australia