Muffins v cakes: what are the differences?

We can all agree that muffins and cakes are delicious, but what are the differences between these baked delights? Let’s take a look at what you need to know before you start a heated argument outside your nearest bakery.

What are muffins?

‘Muffin’ means ‘bread’ and ‘soft’ in its original French form of ‘moufflet’. English muffins date back to the 10th century and were traditionally flat with crooked nooks and crannies. In England and Wales, they were cooked in stokes in muffin rings or the bottom of a skillet.

English muffins are different from American muffins, which are a quick bread category and baked in their own moulds. The moulds are needed because American muffins have a batter consistency rather than a dough. It is fair to say that a tray of muffins from a company such as Crumbs Delivered makes the perfect office lunch delivery choice for a sweet treat on a slow afternoon.

What are cakes?

Cakes, on the other hand, are made from sugar, flour, a binding agent such as eggs, and fat such as butter. They can also be made with ingredients such as milk, fruit puree, flavourings, and a leavening agent such as yeast or baking powder. Cakes are often frosted or finished with icing, cream, marzipan, or other toppers. Cakes can taste insanely good; what’s more, there is an infinite number of cakes in different sizes and flavours. These range from fairy cakes to multi-tier wedding cakes and from plain light sponges to complex alcoholic cakes or rich fruit cakes.

Fun fact

Three American states have adopted muffins as their state ‘muffin mascot’. Minnesota has taken on the blueberry muffin, Massachusetts ‘owns’ the corn muffin, and New Yorkers have claimed apple muffins as their own. Who can blame them?

Whether your idea of the perfect office lunch delivery includes a tray of delicious English cakes or a dozen generous American-style muffins, there is plenty to appeal with these sweet treats. Which will tempt your tastebuds the next time you are craving something sweet?