whats the difference between cupcakes & muffins?

Answer 1

Technically nothing. One could argue that cupcakes are mini cakes and that muffins are....well....well...made from batters traditionally baked in loaves such as bananna bread, etc. But then what's the difference between a chocolate muffin and a chocolate cupcake? Nothing, technically.

Answer 2

The difference . . . between a cupcake and a muffin is not in the eye of the beholder--or on the tongue of the taster--but in the hands of the baker.

"Cupcakes contain a batter that can be thoroughly beaten and is usually not sensitive to over-mixing," [Klaus Tenbergen] says.

"Cupcakes are usually very sweet and often meant to be iced or frosted," he adds. "Cupcakes are considered a form of dessert and are usually not meant to be served for breakfast, but there are always exceptions to the rule. A cupcake is a hand-held, mini dessert cake. A cupcake is a sweet handful that needs no knife and no fork. All you need to do is to peel back the paper, eat them and enjoy."

Muffins, on the other hand, are made from a batter that should not be over-mixed, Tenbergen says.

Muffins "are not usually iced, but rather have the addition of toppings like streusel or the like. Muffins are often served with coffee or tea or as a breakfast bread or snack. Muffins are often sweet, but also can be savory. A muffin is a hand-held mini quick bread."

In essence, cupcakes are the one thing you remember about your 1st grade birthday party--besides the fact that some kid cried. Muffins are little quick breads you couldn't imagine serving to a crowd of party-hat-wearing 5-year-olds, but that would be perfect for brunch.

Answer 3

A basic formula for muffins is 2 cups flour, 2-4 tablespoons sugar, 2½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 egg, ¼ cup oil, shortening or butter and 1 cup milk. When the fat, sugar and egg ratio in a recipe reaches double or more than this, you have reached the cake level."
Oh yes, and...............
If you threw a cupcake against the wall, you would hear something of a "poof!" If you threw a muffin, you would hear a "thud!"
Density, fruits &/or nuts in large quantities is the anwer.

Answer 4

I think of cupcakes as little cakes
and muffins on the other hand can actually be healthy

Answer 5

cupcakes are a sweeter desert food whereas muffins are more of a beakfast