cakes and cupcakes

Over the years, Cake Pan Cake has been one of King Arthur's most requested recipes. And now we're proud to name this our 225th Anniversary Recipe of the Centuries and our 2014 Recipe of the Year. Dark, moist, delicious, and CHOCOLATE, this is truly a cake for all reasons, all seasons — and for bakers (and their family and friends) everywhere. 

Baking this cake in a Bundt pan turns it from everyday to special-occasion, perfect for everything from birthday parties to an elegant dinner. Our thanks to the late Maida Heatter, grande dame of delicious desserts, for the inspiration behind this recipe. 

Birthdays: A time for singing, balloons, and (of course) cake. Some of us have a dedicated favorite, but perhaps no cake is more universally topped with candles than the classic yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

Despite its ubiquity in bakeries nationwide (and in mix form on grocery store shelves), great homemade versions of this chocolate-on-vanilla duo are somewhat elusive. But after months of testing, we think we've nailed it. Join us in celebrating this classic American cake and the birthdays it commemorates

In this episode of #BakeItUpaNotch, Food52’s Resident Baking BFF Erin McDowell teaches you how to make two different sheet pan cakes that are perfect for any kind of celebration: carrot cake and white cake. August is a special month in Erin’s family with her dad’s birthday and parents’ wedding anniversary and these are 2 cakes they adore. 

Get ready to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about layer cakes. Erin is back with a super detailed #bakingtutorial that covers the tools, the components (frosting, fillings, inclusions), the cakes, how to build supported layers, how to beautifully frost your cake (or leave it naked!), and as usual, how to address things that could go wrong along the way. And don't worry, we cut into ALL five cakes shown in this video. Get links for all the recipes and jump to specific sections below. Show us what you make with #bakeitupanotch and happy baking! 

Who doesn’t love cake that’s simple and easy to make? From quick breads to bundts, icebox cakes, and more, Food52’s Resident Baking BFF Erin McDowell is here to share with you all the different kinds as well as troubleshoot common mistakes. Go ahead and sit back with this latest #bakingtutorial and let us know which cake you’d bake! 

A cupcake or fairy cake is a small cake designed to serve one person, which may be baked in a small thin paper or aluminum cup. As with larger cakes, frosting and other cake decorations such as fruit and candy may be applied. 

A standard cupcake uses the same basic ingredients as standard-sized cakes: butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Nearly any recipe that is suitable for a layer cake can be used to bake cupcakes. The cake batter used for cupcakes may be flavored or have other ingredients stirred in, such as raisins, berries, nuts, or chocolate chips. 

A deceptively simple recipe, these tender cupcakes are crowned with fluffy, creamy vanilla frosting, allowing the sweet, floral notes of pure vanilla to shine through. 

Deep-dark chocolate cupcakes, studded with melting chocolate chips... these cakes don't even need icing. And the recipe makes 2 dozen good-sized cakes, perfect for a class party or bake sale. 

In this episode of Bake It Up a Notch, our resident baking BFF Erin McDowell explores the world of cupcakes. Learn different batter techniques, various baking times and temperatures, avoid pitfalls, and of course, the fun parts, filling, frosting, and decorating! Come join Erin on this sweet escapade. 

You don't need to be a pastry chef to pipe. In fact, learning the skills of piping will help you with many of the baking projects in your kitchen. In this episode of "Bake It Up a Notch," Erin McDowell will show you how to handle a pastry bag, fill and refill the bag, choose (and clean) a pastry tip and create a number of different designs (flowers, shells, ropes, script and more!) to take your baking game to the next level.