Tools of the Trade

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

It makes my life so much easier! This one I received as a Christmas gift 2 years ago from my Beloved and my Mom. Prices vary depending on the model you choose. If you keep an eye out, I've seen the basic model on sale at Target for $130! That'll work! I actually have 2 mixers, the other one is an older model (from the 70's) that a friend gave to me. Still works like a champ. Thanks M.R.!

BeaterBlade

I saw this on one of the cupcakes blogs on the right column. I can't remember which one, could have been from Cupcakes Take the Cake. Anywho, I got mine at one of the Home Outlet stores at the Vacaville Outlets. Cost $24.99. It scrapes the sides and bottom of the bowl for you. No need to stop the mixer and scrap the sides down. Great time saver!

Ice Cream Scoop

This makes scooping the batter into the cupcake liners a breeze! It also helps to keep the same amount of batter in each cupcake, giving you a more uniformed look. I prefer using this Kitchen Aid brand because it's sturdier than the cheaper version (I think I got this one at Linens & Things when they were closing. I'm sad they're gone). I've bought the cheaper version and let me tell ya', it didn't last long. I know some restaurant supply stores sells different sized ones but if you can't get there, you can go to Target or Walmart and buy yourself a regular ice cream scoop. It does the job.

So anyway, these are just a few tools I like to use when I'm baking. Maybe these can help you too on your baking adventure.

Happy Baking!

Shop til' you drop

I went shopping yesterday for all the ingredients for Route 129's cupcakes. You should have seen the look on people's faces when they saw my shopping cart. I wonder what they were thinking.....

"What's that girl gonna' do with 10 dozen eggs?????"

LOL!!!


Tip: Don't count on "Party Stores" to have cake boxes on stock. Just buy bulk from your favorite online retailer. It's worth it!

Burnt Bottoms

This post is inspired by my friend, Bern. If your bottoms (I mean your cupcake's bottoms) are burning, here are some tips that might help. Just a side note, I want to just emphasize that I'm no professional. These tips are just tips that have helped me in the cupcake making process:

-Use cupcake liners

-Make sure you pre-heat your oven to the appropriate temperature

-For conventional (or radiant) ovens*, place your pans in the middle rack, NOT the bottom. You might even be able to place them on the top rack but it all depends on your oven.

-Half way through baking, turn your pans around so that the heat isn’t concentrated in one area. For example, with my oven, cupcakes usually take about 22 min. to bake. So I set the timer to 10 min. When the timer goes off I turn the pans then set the timer for another 12 min.

Hope this helps :)

*Want to know the difference between conventional (radiant) ovens and convection ovens? Click here.

HAPPY BAKING!