Hey Lykkers, have you ever wanted to bake the perfect cupcakes but didn't know where to start? Well, today is your lucky day! We're diving into a beginner-friendly cupcake recipe that uses the method of making sponge cake.
The process is simple, and the result is a fluffy, flavorful treat that's sure to impress anyone. Let's get our baking game on!
What You'll Need
Before we start, let's gather our ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
• 4 eggs (5 if they're smaller)
• 90g of cake flour (low-gluten flour)
• 60g of granulated sugar (split into 45g for egg whites and 15g for egg yolks)
• 50g of milk
• 40g of corn oil
• 10g of cornstarch
• A splash of lemon juice or white vinegar (to stabilize the egg whites)
• 12 cupcake liners (small size)
Now that we have everything ready, let's jump right into the fun part—baking!
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
Step 1: Prepare the Eggs
First, we need to separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Make sure your bowls are completely clean, dry, and free of any oil or water—this is key for perfect egg whites. It's recommended to use eggs that have been refrigerated, as cold eggs tend to whip up more easily. After separating, you can place the egg whites in the fridge to keep them cool and stable.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, take the egg yolks and add 15g of sugar. Whisk it until the sugar is dissolved. Next, add the milk and corn oil, mixing well. You want to make sure that the milk and oil blend smoothly, with no visible oil streaks.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Sift in the cake flour and cornstarch in two stages. Make sure to mix gently with a hand whisk in a back-and-forth motion (like a Z-shape). This will help avoid overmixing and forming gluten, which could affect the texture of the cake. We want to keep it light and fluffy!
Step 4: Prepare the Egg Whites
Now, let's focus on the egg whites. Add a few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar to the egg whites and begin whipping them. Once they start to form large bubbles, add 1/3 of the sugar. Keep beating, and when the egg whites are finer and more stable, add the second 1/3 of the sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Remember, we want a smooth, glossy meringue!
Step 5: Folding the Mixture Together
Now comes the tricky part—folding the meringue into the egg yolk mixture. Start by adding 1/3 of the meringue to the yolk batter. Use a spatula and gently fold using an up-and-over motion to incorporate the air from the meringue. Continue this until everything is well combined, but be careful not to deflate the meringue.
Step 6: Fill the Cupcake Liners
Once your batter is ready, it's time to fill the cupcake liners! Fill each liner about 80% full to allow for expansion. Give the tray a little tap to remove any air bubbles.
Step 7: Baking the Cupcakes
Pop your cupcakes into the preheated oven, set at 160°C (320°F), and bake them for 30 minutes. Then, raise the temperature to 150°C (300°F) and bake for an additional 20 minutes. You'll want to keep an eye on them toward the end to make sure they don't over-brown. When they're done, they should be golden brown and fluffy!
Step 8: Cooling and Enjoying
After they're done baking, let your cupcakes cool completely before removing them from the liners. This is important to avoid them getting soggy or falling apart. Once cooled, they're ready to enjoy! For an extra special treat, you can top them with your favorite fruits or a bit of whipped cream.
Tips for Success
• Use eggs that are not too large or too small, as the ratio of wet to dry ingredients matters. Also, make sure your eggs are fresh for best results!
• If you don't have corn oil, you can use any neutral oil, but avoid stronger oils like peanut or canola oil.
• Sifting the flour and cornstarch a couple of times ensures a smooth batter and helps the cupcakes rise properly.
• Pay attention to the oven temperature and don't skip the gradual temperature increase—it helps prevent cracks and makes the cupcakes rise evenly.
Conclusion
And there you have it, Lykkers! Perfect, fluffy, and aromatic cupcakes, all thanks to this simple recipe. It's perfect for beginners who want to get their feet wet in the world of baking. We hope you try it out, and let us know how it goes. Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like dried fruits or nuts for a fun twist. Happy baking!
