Cupcakes and muffins are among the popular desserts, and in some cultures, a healthy breakfast option as well. Before we dive deep into the topic, I’ll agree there are a few similarities. Nevertheless, let's get one thing clear,  both are very different and cannot be used interchangeably. So here goes a few pointers to help you understand the difference between cupcakes and muffins. 

Batter
Cupcakes have a soft spongy texture due to their fluffy batter and generally are sweeter, while muffins have a dense and moist texture. 

Ingredients 
Generally, cupcakes follow the basic recipe of a regular old cake, where the usual All-purpose flour is the norm and is used as one of the main ingredients. However, when it comes to muffins, wholesome ingredients such as wholewheat, oat and nut flour are used. Regarding muffins, gluten-free, dairy and egg-free options are popular and readily available compared to the former. 

Frosting / Decoration 

This is by far the quickest way to recognise the  difference between a cupcake and muffins. Cupcakes generally use more sugar, fat and butter, feature toppings such as icing sugar and sprinkles, and are typically accompanied by a  decorative element. A quick and simple way to decorate is to have a whipped topping. Some cupcakes, such as compote or jam, include sweet filling at their centers. In contrast, muffins are more home-made, with a dome-like shape and tend to rise more.

Quick fact! : What is the difference between an English Vs. an American muffin!? 
The English muffin is yeast rise, popularly known as 'quick bread’ because of the use of baking soda instead of yeast. The English muffins are much closer to an English crumpet, like a spongier pancake, than a standard muffin. American muffins have set the stage for the notable dome-shaped muffins often accompanied by chocolate chips, raisins or dry fruits. 

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