Cupcakes did not rise at all!
Last night, I did a trial run of white cupcakes I wanted to prepare for a friend's brithday party. They did not rise at all, but came out with a consitency like dry bread. :(
I followed this cupcape recipe from the Vegan Lunchbook as closely as possible.
Fluffy White Cupcakes
1 TB apple cider vinegar
1 ½ scant cups plain soymilk
2 1/8 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 1/8 cups sugar
½ cup oil
1 ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. coconut extract
350° F
I had to make some minor changes because I did not have all the ingredients at hand: I used rice milk instead of soymilk and normal fruit vinegar instead of apple cider one, but I don't think this should make such a difference.
The only other thing I could blame it on might be my old funky oven, which does not rise to its full temperature anymore. Therefore, I usually have to extend the baking time and check on the things in the oven more regularly. Normally, this works out just fine.
I'd appreciate any pointers because I really would like to get this recipe to work before Sunday.
Thanks in advance,
Sahnie
I got this tip from Ashley Kimball: preheat the oven to 50 degrees hotter than the recipe calls for, then turn it down to the specified temperature when you put the cupcakes in the oven. This causes them to rise higher without burning. Good luck!
Baking can be really frustrating!! Good thinking making the test batch. My suggestion would be to check your baking powder. It might be old.It should bubble when added to vinegar or I just put a tiny bit on my tongue. If it fizzes then it is probably OK. Check the date also. Good luck!!
I feel your pain. I am a MOST inconsistent baker. Every time I bake something, it turns out differently even if I think I have done it exactly the same as the time before. ::)
I think you forgot something. Are you sure you put in the baking powder and baking soda?
I would suggest getting an oven thermometer. A lot of ovens, especially older ones, aren't that accurate. Also, when the cupcakes are baking, don't open the door to peek. Baking time is very critical and any draft can disturb the rising of cupcakes. Hope the next batch turns out better for you!!
The reason those cupcakes work is the reaction from the soy milk to the apple cider vinegar. Now, I have apple cider vinegar and white vinegar in my kitchen, nothing else so I don't know much about "fruit vinegar". But I do know from comments in VCTOtW that rice and nut milks will not curdle or react to the vinegar as much as soy does. So that substitution could have caused the problem.
I would definitely go buy the soy milk and apple cider vinegar as well as an oven thermometer and try again. Good luck, that recipe is fabulous as twinkies!
I'm with Cali.. you need to use soy milk instead of rice milk. Soy milk will curdle with the vinegar, rice milk will not. I made cupcakes last week for my niece who can't have soy but can have rice and they were very dense and heavy.
K^2
Does the milk really need to curdle, though? The vinegar is there to interact with the baking soda, creating a gas that leavens the cake. Perhaps the fruit vinegar's acidity was different than that of apple cider vinegar?
Cali said:
Did someone say TWINKIES??? :D :D 8)
While not a scientist, I believe the vinegar is there to curdle the milk. The curdled milk is then what makes the cake light and fluffy by reacting to the baking soda. Baking is a delicate balance. While I replace ingredients in typical recipes, baking is a bit harder to change the basics in. If the recipe needs to be soy free, then I would go try to find one already calibrated to be just that, personally.
hehe! Yup I said twinkies! Of course I have not made more in a year, which while good for my waistline makes my cute twinkie pan gathering dust, sad. I have this idea to make some of the VCTOtW cupcakes in said twinkie pan too. Will let ya know if they turn out good Lezly!
hehe! Yup I said twinkies! Of course I have not made more in a year, which while good for my waistline makes my cute twinkie pan gathering dust, sad. I have this idea to make some of the VCTOtW cupcakes in said twinkie pan too. Will let ya know if they turn out good Lezly!
Jennifer McCann (Vegan Lunch Box and www.veganlunchbox.com) has a Twinkie recipe that looks great. Well, at least they look just like Twinkies. (I've never had many--not particularly a fan. I know, I know. I'm weird. :D)
:D Thank you for all your hints and pointers! My second batch turned out light and fluffy.
Sahnie