What a cute idea… A cupcake kit! I could see how this would appeal to new bakers and parents wanting a fun foodie project to do with their kids.
For $8.99 I was expecting pretty packaging inside and easy-to-follow directions. I mean they already made it look so cool.
Um… This is it? Three generic white bags, a few cupcake liners and some sprinkles. Less impressive than what I had in mind!
And I had to follow the directions on an inverted box that was hard to keep upright. White text on a pink background is not exactly easy-to-read. The instructions did not divide the recipe between the chocolate and the vanilla cupcakes as two different procedures so I found that confusing.
Making the Cupcakes
Please note, I divided the recipe in half but will write it in full for you.
Combine vanilla cake mix with 1/2 cup water, 1 egg…
… and 2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
Use an electric mixer on low speed and beat for 30 seconds until moistened. Beat another two minutes on medium-high, scraping down the sides.
Divide among 12 muffin cups.
Repeat procedure with chocolate cupcake mix.
Arrange rack in the center of the oven. Put cupcakes in a preheated 325F oven for non-stick muffin pans and 350F for shiny metal pans. Bake 20-22 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Heather from Mmm is for Mommy made them too and she said hers were a bit dry so I checked mine at 17 minutes and they were already done. I got them out of the oven ASAP.
Decorating
I was not happy when I read the instructions for making icing but I followed them anyway. Use a wooden spoon or electric mixer on low speed to thoroughly combing icing mix, softened butter and 6 tbsp of milk. Beat until smooth and spreadable, adding more milk if necessary.
Yup… Just what I though. Lumpy ugly icing! This is why I always sieve my icing and use warm milk. I fixed it by putting it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so. Made everything come together.
My icing was way too thin. I added more icing sugar but it was still just a glaze. I added some sprinkles.
Foodie Conclusion
I found the vanilla a little better than the chocolate cupcakes but overall, these are so very boring and I found them dry. But remember, in general, I hate cake. But! I have made cupcakes I do like. It is possible.
Just not these ones. Now Reg liked them. He said, “They taste like a cupcake…” In my mind, a very mediocre cupcake.
Would I pay $8.99 for this kit? No way! Unless you were desperate to babysit kids and give them something to do but if that is what President’s Choice was going for they could have added pretty packaging inside to enhance the experience. Even I felt it was a bit of a let down and I am not one for aesthetics.
It is always fun to make cupcakes and maybe kids will love these no matter what but for me? No way. I found following the instructions on the bottom of wobbly packaging annoying and my icing came out lumpy. Boring flavour, unexciting packaging and you still will have to have your own muffin tins to bake with. If you do, you probably have already made better cupcakes than these.
They were not awful but they are not worth the calories, money or effort for me. I give this product two out of five wooden spoons.
I’ve never seen the allure of cupcakes, quite frankly. You want cake? Have a slice of actual cake!
The cupcakes you made do look adorable, but honestly…way overpriced IMO. These days you can get a box of Duncan Hines cake mix for a buck, with a tub of icing on sale and some sprinkles and achieve the same thing for way less.
I once made the Williams Sonoma Chocolate Orange Cupcakes (from scratch) for my son’s B-day, and OMG that was something special!
Looks good!