*Photos by Rebecca
Not much. Sometimes frosting can be a distinguishing factor between these two delicious baked creations, or the presence of fresh fruit inside, or healthy ingredients (bran, carrots, raisins are more common among muffins), or maybe just the time of day in which they are typically consumed. Interestingly, the increasing prevalence of all-natural and vegan ingredients are gradually blurring the line between these sister sweets. Nevertheless, even though they come in just about the same size and shape, somehow, they each have their own niche in the carbohydrate food group, and in many of our lives.
Try these local mini-cake, single-serving sweet baked treats that are hot in the Austin food scene these days!
Local, Fresh Muffin Creative Breakfast Rebeccammendation to entertain local and out of town company: Taste No Evil Muffin Company-aka “The Muffin Bus” at 2531 South Lamar, right in front of Maria’s Taco Xpress. Karisa,the spunky and welcoming bakeress, wakes up before dawn to make fresh muffins for you loyal eaters and future supporters. Try her creative flavors, including Blackberry Peach, Chocolate Sinsation, Gluten-Free Muffins, Muffin-Top ice cream sandwiches, and her specialty flavors! Also, follow her on Twitter @TNEMC to get the latest muffin & drink/fruit specials daily!
Local Cupcake Bakery for a Sweet Treat Downtown Rebeccammendation: Delish at 209 W. 3rd (right next to Cantina Laredo). Adam and I checked it out on Grand Opening Day last week, just minutes after they began serving complimentary mini-cupcakes at noon! The S’mores cupcake was divine…the marshmellow topping was perfectly toasted, the chocolate inside was at the right richness level, and the graham cracker crust completed my 3-bite dessert with just the perfect combination of s’mores flavors. Regular-sized cupcakes are $2.50 and will hit the spot after a Tex-Mex dinner next door, or after you treat yourself to a day of pampering at the Milk + Honey Salon on the same block.
4 thoughts on “What's the Difference Between a Muffin and a Cupcake?”
lisaiscooking June 23, 2009 at 9:59 am
I haven’t tried delish yet. Have to check it out.
sharon June 23, 2009 at 12:59 pm
is it better than sugar mama’s? those are the best ones i’ve tasted so far…
TheRebecca June 23, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I would say Sugar Mama’s, but I only tried one kind at Delish…and it was fabulous! Also, I still Rebeccammend Delish for a downtown treat when you can’t get to Sugar Mama’s. Also, Sugar Mama’s is closed Mondays, so this is still a great place for a good cupcake if you’re dtown and your sweet tooth calls!
Philip Baker September 27, 2015 at 8:01 am
Muffins have been made here for centuries. They are found, flat and made of a bread mixture. They do not resemble cup cakes (or any cakes) in any way at all.I have known muffins all my life in the United Kingdom (I am 66) and they are still widely available. They are, of course, called muffins, not English muffins. American muffins (the things like cup cakes) have only appeared in this country relatively recently, through American coffee shops, fast food chains and the like, and like so many other American terms ‘muffins’ is now taking over from its original meaning here and edging out our terminology almost altogether. I did some research on muffins and found that they date back at least to the 10th century. How did Americans come to give this name to a more recent product that is entirely different?As I said, in England they are known as muffins, not English muffins. I have heard that what Americans call ‘English Muffins’ are in fact crumpets, also very popular. Crumpets and muffins are about the same size, but that is the only similarity. Crumpets are made with a sort of batter mixture. They are very light and have lots of holes in the top side (good for letting butter soak into). Muffins are made with a bread mixture. They are heavier and more dense than crumpets. They do not have holes in them.