What does butter do to cupcakes?

Adds richness and flavor: Butter is a rich dairy product that contributes to the overall flavor and texture of cupcakes. It makes them taste more decadent and gives them a richer mouthfeel.

Provides moisture: Butter helps retain moisture in cupcakes, preventing them from becoming dry and crumbly. This is especially important for cakes that use baking powder as a leavening agent, as baking powder has a tendency to dry out cakes more quickly than baking soda.

Tenderizes the crumb: Butter helps to tenderize the crumb of cupcakes, making them softer and more delicate. This is due to the presence of fat in butter, which coats the protein strands in the flour and prevents them from forming a tough gluten network.

Helps with browning: Butter contributes to the golden brown color of cupcakes when they are baked. This is because of the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction that occurs when proteins and sugars are heated together in the presence of moisture.

Improves the overall texture: Butter improves the overall texture of cupcakes by making them rich, moist, tender, and flavorful. It also helps to create a uniform cake structure with a fine crumb.