Cupcake Wars!

I love cake! Who doesn’t but I can safely say that I am not a very good baker. My Pup and Simon both love to bake, all types of things from simple fairy cakes to complicated plaited bread.

The only way I seem to be able to make a good cupcake is if I am handing someone the ingredients, which doesn’t count or a good old packet mix. This got me thinking it is cheaper to buy a packet mix, easier to make for the non-baker type like me but are they just as tasty? So I decided I would do a test, I would make a packet mix of Red Velvet Cupcakes and Simon would make from scratch some Red Velvet Cupcakes so that we could see what would be tastier.

Lets start with Simons made from scratch Red Velvet cupcakes:

What you need:

Additional equipment, large mixing bowl, wooden spoon, small mixing bowl, cup, measuring jug, wooden spoon and 16 cupcake cases

Instructions:

Step 1.

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4 (350 degrees F / 175 degrees C).

Step 2.

In the mixing bowl sift together the flour, salt and cocoa butter.

Step 3.

In a separate bowl add the butter and beat until soft. Add the sugar to this bowl and beat till light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time beating thoroughly after each addition. Finally add the Vanilla extract to this bowl and beat till it is all combined.

Step 4.

In the measuring jug whisk the buttermilk with the red food colouring. Slowly mixing as you go add this to the flour mixture. Once this is combined add the butter mixture to the flour mixture.

Step 5.

In a cup combine the vinegar and baking soda. Allow this to fizz for a bit then add it to the cake batter.

Step 6.

Now add the mixture to the cupcake cases. The cupcakes should take 15-20 minutes, so sit back relax while your good work is baking. Once the time is up or you can stick a toothpick in the middle of the cupcake and it comes out clean it is time to rest them, do this for at least 10 minutes.

So that was how to make Red Velvet cupcakes from scratch, seems easy right?? Yes for those who can bake I was completely flustered whilst Simon was baking this recipe but don’t you worry you non-bakers it is time for the Red Velvet cupcake mix!

Danni’s Red Velvet Cupcake mix:

What you need:

Additional equipment: Mixing Bowl, Wooden spoon

Instructions:

Follow the box, EASY!

Verdict:

As you can see by the image Simon’s cupcake looks a little redder but is tiny in comparison to my packet mix cupcake. The taste is as different as their appearance; mine tasted of chocolate but was very bland where Simon’s was filled with flavour.

I think we can safely say that making a cupcake from scratch is better than a packet mix. They may not look as perfect as a packet mix but they make it up in flavour. If you can bake I am super jealous as I am sure your cupcakes taste and look good, I am going to start trying to perfect my cupcakes, watch this space!