Introduction: Homemade cupcake mixes are always healthier than purchased cupcake mixes. They are better and healthier because they contain less fat. Less of butter and oil is used in homemade cupcake mixes. It is better to keep handy cupcake mixes ready. Cupcakes are served as desserts for almost any occasion. Be it tea parties, birthday parties or even Christmas Parties. If you have a cupcake mix ready then you can make cupcakes in minutes.

Ingredients for a basic Cupcake Mix:

• 3 + 1/3 cups of cold solid butter
• 5 table spoons of baking powder
• 7 + 2/3 cups of sugar
• 3 table spoons of salt
• 11 cups of flour (sift before using)

Things required for making the Cupcake Mix:

A big bowl, a butter knife, electric mixer or food processor or blender, a big spoon, airtight quarts or glass jars or heavy duty zip-lock bags

Procedure for making the Cupcake Mix:

Take the big bowl, and mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in it. You can even sift all these things together. Now cut the butter into very small pieces and add these pieces to the big bowl and mix till the pieces of butter become pea size balls. Your mixture should now look like corn meal. Make sure the butter is evenly distributed. You can even blend this mixture in the food processor or an electric mixture so that your cake mix becomes a smooth paste.

Now divide the cake mix into six equal parts or portions. Each portion should approximately be equal to 3 + ½ cups each. Place each portion in air tight quarts or glass jars or heavy duty zip-lock bags. Make sure that whatever you store your cake mix in should be airtight for better preservation. If you store the cake mix in the refrigerator it will last for up to a month. But if you store the cake mix in the freezer, it can even last for up to three months.

To make a cake, all you have to do is pour the cake mix in a large bowl, make a hole in the center and transfer all the ingredients in the hole (the ingredients depend on the flavor of the cupcake you are making). Blend the mixture till it becomes a smooth paste. Then generously grease and flour the cupcake or muffin cups in which you are going to bake the cupcake. Pour the batter into each of the muffin or cupcake cups till they are about 3/4th full. Then place on a rack near the top of the oven. The oven should be preheated at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the cupcakes for about 20 minutes. Never remove the cupcake in the first ten minutes because then the cupcakes will not rise and the will not become round and fluffy and spongy to touch. You know that your cupcakes have been baked well when you insert a toothpick in the middle of a cupcake and it comes out clean. You can even prepare amazing frostings to decorate your cupcakes.

- Seema Khinnavar

Blueberries are even considered to be one of the healthiest fruits around. They are very rich in Vitamin A, B and C and their consumption reduces the risk of cancer. Very high in fibre and low in saturated fat; blueberries make the best ingredients for all recipes.

Blueberry muffins are therefore one of the most delicious and nutritious kinds of muffins enjoyed all around the world. These muffins are usually considered to be a wonderful breakfast snack loved by people from all age groups.

We shall now discuss a very simple recipe to make your very own basic blueberry muffin. All you need to have to start is:

1. One and a half cups of all-purpose flour
2. One table spoon of baking powder
3. Half cup of sugar
4. Half tea spoon salt
5. One egg
6. Half cup of milk
7. One-fourth cup shortening, melted and cooled.
8. One cup of blueberries.

Blueberries used can be fresh or frozen. Due to this quality blueberry muffins can be made all around the year for all different occasions. Do not forget to rinse and drain the blueberries before using.

To start with – take a mixing bowl and add sugar, all purpose flour, baking powder and salt and mix it well together. Then take another mixing bowl and add egg and milk and whisk them together.

Drain out the egg and milk into the bowl filled with the dry mix of flour and sugar. As you are pouring in the milk and egg mix keep stirring the whole mixture. Stir until the mixture becomes a smooth batter. Mix in the cooled melted shortening as well until all the ingredients are blended. In the end, put in the blueberries and mix well.

You can experiment and put in your favourite ingredients like some nuts and add a distinct and new flavour to your basic muffin.

Preheat the oven at 375 degrees F or 190 degree C. Grease about 12 muffin cups with oil and fill in the batter in the cups with the help of a spoon. Do not over fill the cups, fill only about two third of the cup. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 to 25 minutes. After the 25 mins use a toothpick as a tester and prick the centre of one of your muffins and see if it comes out clean. If it does, your blueberry muffin is ready to serve.

Take your muffin tray out and keep them on a shelf for a while. Let it cool for ten minutes and then take your muffins out of the tray. Serve them at breakfast or as an evening snack. Add on a sugar coat on top or have them with chocolate or whipped cream as per your taste.

Make yourself and your whole family indulge in the great taste of this healthy muffin.

- Shaan