I can't seem to get fluffy good tasting cakes recently! I guess my first problem is dense cakes/cupcakes and my second problem is that there seems to be no "taste" (which may be a direct result of my first problem)

Can my cake flour be bad? or am I putting too much batter in my cupcake trays/cake pans?

Thanks in Advance [/i]

Check your baking powder/soda. Those need to be replaced about every 6 months. Are you creaming your butter long enough? I do mine for about 3-5 mins and never have unfluffy cakes.

i cream my butter for like 5 to 7 minw until its really really fluffy your cakes will come out perfect!!!

Are you using the no transfat shortenings? It bakes up quite inferior.

My baking powder is definitely past the 6 month mark, so i'll try new powder and also try creaming my butter longer. I crisco for shortening or unsalted butter (depending on the recipe).

Thanks for all your tips, i'll try them out.

If you are following a cake recipe from a cake flour box like I do I recommend at least doubling the flavoring. 1/2t of flavoring just doesn't do the job in an entire cake!

Oh I always AT LEAST double the flavoring "suggested" in a recipe. No such thing as too much vanilla!

You need to cream the butter first, then add the sugar and cream them very well, add a flavor depending on the recipe u can add 1 tsp of vanilla, add the eggs beat them, add the flour (self rising flour) and milk, start with flour and end with flour.Do not mix too much.