Cupcakes made easy

September 23rd, 2011

Ovens & Cooking

There are few occasions in life that can’t be improved by cupcakes. Birthdays, weddings, baby showers, weekdays – you name it, cupcakes are always a welcome addition.

It used to be that after we’d graduated into the hallowed halls of adulthood, cupcakes were something we had to leave behind. Cupcake enthusiasts were forced to hide their love, only able to get their fix at bake sales or in the privacy of their own home with the blinds pulled shut.

But in recent times cupcakes have enjoyed a landslide resurgence in popularity. This is partly thanks to a Sex and the City episode in which Carrie and Miranda discuss their love lives while eating cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery in New York. Seemingly overnight cupcakes became fashionable, and boutique ‘cupcakeries’ worldwide started raking in the dough.

But you shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices to satisfy your sugar cravings. Cupcakes that have been baked at home have that charmingly imperfect ‘extra love’ factor that no amount of money can buy.

Don’t have an oven? Bad at baking? These are flimsy excuses! Allow us to introduce you to ‘Pattie®’ – the compact cupcake maker from Sunbeam.

Pattie® can make 6 cupcakes in just 10 minutes, and the non-stick cooking plates eliminate the need for patty pans. All you need is flour, butter, sugar, milk and eggs to instantly win friends and influence people.

You can use your Sunbeam Cupcake Maker to bake chocolate cupcakes, white chocolate and raspberry muffins, or even savoury pesto muffins.

Did you know you can also create cupcakes in your microwave? If you’ve got an ordinary microwave, cake is only ever 5 minutes away with this ingenious 5 minute chocolate mug cake recipe. (It actually tastes pretty good!)

Or if you’re lucky enough to own a convection microwave, you can use it as you would a normal oven to bake all manner of tasty treats. Samsung gives us this tantalising recipe for steamed pandan cupcakes using a Samsung convection microwave.

Finally, if you’re stuck for decorating ideas, taste.com.au has all the inspiration you need.

So what are you waiting for? Put on your frilly apron, get out your wooden spoon, and give grandma a run for her money – it’s cupcake time!