Have you ever found yourself filling a cupcake liner with batter and wondering just how high you should fill it to make perfect cupcakes? No one wants a sad, flat-looking cupcake, but you don't want your muffin tins overflowing and messy either.
Learn the correct amount of batter to use for your cupcakes, and the best way to fill your tins so you can achieve the picture-perfect dessert you're aiming for!
Whether you're looking to make chocolate cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, lemon cupcakes or even churro cupcakes, the baking process will go smoothly using these general rules.
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How much batter should you use for a regular cupcake pan?
Cupcakes make the perfect sweet treat for parties, bake sales, and all special occasions. Making perfectly sized-cupcakes can sometimes be hard to achieve.
It is important to note that the sizes of cupcake tins vary, and you will need to adjust how much cake batter you use to the size of the tin.
The first thing to do is decide what size cupcakes you want to make. If you want to make regular cupcakes using a standard-size cupcake pan, aim to fill each individual cupcake liner ⅔ of the way full.
This is the ideal amount of batter for regular-sized cupcakes to give you a tall, doming cupcake. This will also avoid overflowing the paper cupcake liners.
There are a few different ways to measure the amount of batter for each standard cupcake liner. You can use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop. If using a tablespoon, 3 tablespoons of batter will fill a regular muffin tin ⅔ of the way full.
The diameter of cookie scoops vary, so it is important to know what volume the scoop holds so you use the correct size.
Scoops are typically numbered, to differentiate between sizes, and a #20 scoop is ideal for portioning cupcake batter. These scoops hold 3 tablespoons of batter, making them perfect for achieving uniform, well-sized cupcakes.
#20 Scoop
This cookie scoop is the ideal size for portioning cupcake batter.
How much batter should you use for a mini cupcake pan?
If you are using a mini cupcake pan for your cupcake recipe, you will want to adjust the amount of batter that you use.
The recommended amount of batter to fill a mini cupcake liner is 1 tablespoon. And as is the case with a regular cupcake, the liner should be filled ⅔ of the way full to avoid flat tops.
Mini Cupcake Pan
This mini cupcake tin will yield about twice as many cupcakes as a standard-sized tin.
If you are choosing to use a cookie scoop to fill your mini cupcakes, use a #60 scoop. These scoops hold 1 tablespoon of batter and will help you achieve uniform cupcakes with a perfect little dome.
When using a mini muffin pan, be sure to also adjust the baking time accordingly. Little cupcakes will bake much faster than regular-size cupcakes, so you may need to check the instruction on the recipe or keep a close eye on them for the best results.
#60 Scoop
Use this cookie scoop to portion just the right amount of cupcake batter for mini cupcakes.
How much batter should you use for jumbo cupcakes?
If you are opting to make jumbo-sized cupcakes, you will need to use more batter to fill the liners and achieve the perfect size.
For a large cupcake, you can still aim to fill the tins a uniform ⅔ of the way full, but this time use about ½ cup of batter. You can either use a measuring cup to fill the tin, an ice cream scoop, or simply spoon the batter into the liner.
Jumbo Cupcake Pan
Use this pan to make jumbo-sized cupcakes or muffins.
Pro tips
- If you find that filling cupcake liners with a scoop or spoon is too messy, you can use a freezer bag instead. Simply pour your batter into the bag, and cut a small portion of one of the bottom corners off. You can then fill your liners by piping batter from the bag until they are ⅔ of the way full. Be careful, however, as this technique may be difficult with a thinner mixture.
- Cupcake baking can involve a bit of trial and error, and if you are using a different size tin than your recipe called for, the bake time may differ. If you are unsure whether or not your cupcakes are done baking, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they should be done.
- Filling a mini muffin tin means you will have a lot of cupcakes. If you do not have enough cake pans for your batter, cover your remaining batter with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
Homemade cupcake recipes
Looking to try out some new cupcake recipes? Check out the delicious and fun options below!
1
Ooey Gooey S'mores Cupcakes
2
Lemon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
3
Churro Cupcake Recipe
4
Pink Champagne Cupcakes
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