Help Quick! I need a TRULY good cupcake recipe!

[FaithHopeLove]

Hi! I need to bake some cupcakes for dc's school tomorrow and need a really good recipe. Every one I've tried from the Internet or my cookbooks at home turns out kind of dry and not like the super moist ones from the grocery store mixes. All of the kids are mainstream SAD kids, so I need to make a natural cupcake that mirrors the taste and texture to some degree of the ones they are used to. I'd like to make chocolate, but other flavors would be good too.

I've tried Dr. Oetker's, and they have a mocha-ish flavor that the kids don't always like.

I keep wondering how the cupcake bakeries make such wonderful, moist, natural ingredient cupcakes, yet every recipe I've tried is not so good. I'm a good baker and cook too, so I don't think it's technique that's the problem.

TIA!

[Rabbit]

We don't like Dr. Oetker's, either.

You don't use dough conditioners or chemical additives. That's your problem, right there.

[FaithHopeLove]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

We don't like Dr. Oetker's, either.

You don't use dough conditioners or chemical additives. That's your problem, right there.

LOL, Natalie! Glad to know we aren't the only ones not too keen on Dr. Oetker's.

(And boy, oh boy, you were quick, just no recipe! )

[Rabbit]

No, I'm just here to glean answers.

---------- Post added at 07:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 PM ----------

Simon has been begging for chocolate cupcakes for awhile, and I never even bothered making my birthday cake, because I don't have a recipe I like.

[mokamoto]

Hi there! Not sure if this helps, but applesauce in place of oil makes a huge difference in my cakes. If you are using butter, it can dry the cake a bit, but I have had a yummy all-natural pound cake, so I'm not sure where the moisture came from there. Also, cake flour produces a softer, moister crumb than all-purpose flour. Sorry, no recipes at hand at the moment though. Hth

[Kiara.I]

Hummingbird cupcakes always come out moist, because of the pineapple and banana. But I don't know if you could put the pecans in, because of the nut issues in school.

http://cupcakeblog.com/?p=5
Warning. Do NOT browse the rest of that site, or you will become hopelessly addicted to ridiculously complex cupcakes. That are very, very yummy.

[TuneMyHeart]

Dr. Oetker's are not good!

This is the best chocolate cake recipe I've tried. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dark-Ch...-I/Detail.aspx My super picky E loved it.

LMK if you want my buttercream frosting recipe, it's yummy.

I can make a pretty yummy cake, but I'm incapable of making it pretty.

[FaithHopeLove]

Originally Posted by Kiara.I

Hummingbird cupcakes always come out moist, because of the pineapple and banana. But I don't know if you could put the pecans in, because of the nut issues in school.

http://cupcakeblog.com/?p=5
Warning. Do NOT browse the rest of that site, or you will become hopelessly addicted to ridiculously complex cupcakes. That are very, very yummy.

My kiddo would love those, but I fear they are too exotic for this particular crowd. I'm going to check out the rest of that blog though (send a search crew if I don't come back!) and see if I can find a great chocolate.

I'm loving these suggestions, but if someone has a recipe they've baked that has been super yummy and super reliable, I'd be so grateful! (Oh, and cake recipes are cool, of course, just pour it in the cupcake wrappers.)

---------- Post added at 06:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by TuneMyHeart

Dr. Oetker's are not good!

This is the best chocolate cake recipe I've tried. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dark-Ch...-I/Detail.aspx My super picky E loved it.

LMK if you want my buttercream frosting recipe, it's yummy.

I can make a pretty yummy cake, but I'm incapable of making it pretty.

I'm feeling quite validated about the Dr. Oetker's!

Thanks for the recipe, and yes please on the buttercream frosting!

How many of us are going to end up baking tonight after all this talk of cupcakes?

[TuneMyHeart]

my standard buttercream:
2 cups butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 Tbsp cream

1. Cream butter & sugar until well-blended.
2. Add salt, vanilla & cream. Blend on low speed until moistened.
3. Beat at high speed for a full 10 minutes until frosting is fluffy and stiff.

[FaithHopeLove]

Originally Posted by mokamoto

Hi there! Not sure if this helps, but applesauce in place of oil makes a huge difference in my cakes. If you are using butter, it can dry the cake a bit, but I have had a yummy all-natural pound cake, so I'm not sure where the moisture came from there. Also, cake flour produces a softer, moister crumb than all-purpose flour. Sorry, no recipes at hand at the moment though. Hth

Thank you!

I'm definitely going to try the applesauce -- but a batch I don't have to serve other people first just in case I mess it up, LOL!

When you mix in the applesauce instead of oil, what particular technique do you use? Do you mix the applesauce with the eggs? Do you actually beat it in, or do you fold it in at another point?

BTW, I have a Hershey's anniversary cookbook that is supposed to be just wonderful with classic, basically all natural (still lots of sugar and white flour and such) ingredients, but I've not had good luck with that one either.

I keep seeing bakers on Cupcake Wars making luscious, yummy cupcakes . . . wonder how they do it?

---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by TuneMyHeart

my standard buttercream:
2 cups butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 Tbsp cream

1. Cream butter & sugar until well-blended.
2. Add salt, vanilla & cream. Blend on low speed until moistened.
3. Beat at high speed for a full 10 minutes until frosting is fluffy and stiff.

Thanks, Shannon! How much does this frost? Two cups of butter sounds like it makes a really big batch!

Have you ever turned this into a chocolate recipe? How much cocoa do you think you'd add?

My mouth is watering . . . LOL!

---------- Post added at 06:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Rabbit

No, I'm just here to glean answers.

---------- Post added at 07:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 PM ----------

Simon has been begging for chocolate cupcakes for awhile, and I never even bothered making my birthday cake, because I don't have a recipe I like.

Oh man! Well, you are going to have to bake along with me then! GCM test kitchens . . . Dr. Oetker is not allowed.

[TuneMyHeart]

I usually cut the recipe in half, unless I'm doing like a 3 layer cake or something. I've never made it chocolate, but I have grated a Dagoba chocolate candy bar on top. That was really good. We can't do sprinkles and food color, so the chocolate on top is as fancy as I get.

I use applesauce in muffins and quick breads all the time, but I prefer butter in my cakes, just fyi.

[Emerald Orchid]

Super moist, super reliable, super easy chocolate cake, which you can turn into cupcakes, just reduce the baking time:


SUPER MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
3 tablespoons of sifted good quality cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup white or brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons canola oil (can substitute with parts applesauce)
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cold water

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Combine all ingredients together until there aren't any more lumps and pour into a 9 inch by 9 inch
greased and floured baking pan.
Bake at 350F 35 min.

[everydaygrace]

I've been reading this subject line today and its making me crave yummy cupcakes. Unfortunately cant have any bc i cant eat fat. Awsome cupcakes and fat free don't exactly go tougher.

I hope you find the recipe you need!

[expatmom]

Dd1 & I made cupcakes from a fancy schmancy cupcake recipe book last week & they were awful!

[BearyBlessed]

I can give you my mom's chocolate silk frosting recipe if you like, but I'm . I will try to remember to post it before I go to bed, but you can call in the morning if that's easier.