How are cupcakes different from muffins?

Ever wondered what is the difference between cupcakes and muffins? We tell you how they are different.

Ever wondered why the almost similar looking muffins and cupcakes, which are mostly also put into the same categories, are actually very different from each other? Here are some very basic and some extraordinary differences which make cupcakes and muffins not members of the same food family -

1. Cupcakes can be called the smaller version of cakes or mini cakes. But muffins are not necessarily desserts. They can be savory too. Savory muffins are made with items like bacon, cheese, etc.

2. Cupcakes, like desserts, use butter. But muffins use oil.

3. The process of making the two differs a lot. While making cupcakes is a step by step procedure where ingredients are put one after the other, muffins has everything mixed in together.

4. A silly yet important difference - cupcakes always end with a generous, fruity, sweet frosting on top whereas muffins don't have any frosting!