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GoldenWhiskNYC badge: Community Member

Peaks - Cupcakes

Why did my red velvet cupcaks peak, badly? I used baking soda, buttermilk and baking powder, followed a standard recipe.

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GinaG
  • Reply by GinaG on February 15, 2012 at 7:13 pm
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Hello, GoldenwhiskNYC,

I know of two things to rule out, I'm sure others will chime in with anything else.

It could be the structure of your batter, which can have an impact on whether gases are released evenly. Someone can scrutinize your recipe if you post it. (That wouldn't be me, though!) Is it a thick batter? that might be an issue.

The other thing is how your pan is heating up. If the batter is setting too quickly around the edges of the compartments, the rise stops there and the middle keeps going. Are you using a new cupcake tin? Any chance it has a dark, non-stick interior? Sometimes thaat can be the culprit.

GinaG.

GoldenWhiskNYC

Thanks Gina. Maybe you're right, that the batter set too quickly around the edtes. I used a heavy grey muffin pan with sprayed foil liners, which should reflect the heat No, the batter is on the liquidy side; this type of cake usually is. It's basically Joy of Cooking's buttermilk layer cake with their variation for red velvet. Tastes fine, but looks really really homemade. I cut off the peaks, so I could frost tops better. Maybe there was too much soda in the recipe, would that do it? the recipe has 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp. baking powder for 2-1/4 cups flour and 1 cup buttermilk.
Ever make Red Velvet?

GinaG
  • Reply by GinaG on February 16, 2012 at 12:43 am
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I haven't made it, but Joy of Cooking is a pretty reliable recipe source!

Another fun thing to do with your domed cupcakes might be to fill them!

If you shave the tops and cut an inverted cone shape, you'll have a place for another spurt of frosting...Do you have a pastry bag, or can you snip a corner of a plastic bag to make one? That can be used to hold your filling to squeeze into and atop the cupcakes.

Once you put your "lids" back on, frost them and not only will no one ever know there was a mishap...they'll think you're a genius! Cake crumbs can be dusted on top to dress them up.

I can't wait to hear what you opted to do and what a hit they turn out to be!
GinaG.