Cup cakes are the ultimate luxury cake.  They are based on simple cake so that art is getting a topping that tastes good and looks amazing.  The only way is to practice and practice.  They are worth trying hard for once you get it right!

Cooks Know How: A creamed mixture is a classic.  You work to a formula that has been tried and tested over the years.  The slight changes are that the sugar is soft brown rather than traditional caster.  This brings a slightly denser texture to the cake and a hint of ‘fudge’ flavour.  Creaming is the word that explains the process of beating rapidly to trap air bubbles.  These days it is usual to use a hand held mixer or a free standing food mixer.  In the old days a strong cooks arm was all that was needed.  I suggest butter in the cake rather than cheaper margarine because the flavour is better and these are luxury cakes rather than everyday quick buns, but you can use margarine if you like.  Beating in the eggs adds more air and good nutrition.  Cup cakes are not all bad!  Beat eggs in a little at a time to prevent curdling.  You will see curdling as bits like coconut if it happens and  to prevent further curdling, stir in some of the flour to firm up the mixture before adding the next portion of egg.

The cocoa is chocolate, it is a super ingredient that cannot be surpassed by any other ingredient.  Sieve it with the flour to prevent any clumping and to distribute the flavour easily.  Remember cocoa is NOT drinking chocolate and you should not substitute with it.  Drinking chocolate contains extra sugar that could cause the cakes to collapse and have a crusty texture.

Folding is critical when you add the flour and cocoa.  Before that you have been high powered beating, rapid and furious to trap in the air that will raise the cakes and make them light in texture.  If you added the flour like that the mixture would not be so light.  Folding is stirring in a disciplined figure of eight movement in the bowl probably using a spatula to ensure thorough mixing. Keep an eye on the cake mixture and look for even colour rather than streaking.  Cooking gently will set the eggs and set the gluten in the flour in order to hold the risen shape.  Enough time for this to happen is crucial and therefore to test the cake by pressing with your finger helps to see if the set is strong enough.  If you take them out too soon they may sink.  Sugar browns the surface as the cooking takes place and makes the cake crumb (inside) soft and moist.  Of course our secret portion of caramel will provide a little volcano of different texture that make these cup cakes a treat.