I read on here that you can substitute coffee mate for the liquid in your cake mixes and that can shake them up. Everyone was raving about how wonderful this is and how great they taste, so I thought, I think I will try that. I have tried it 3 times now, and each time the middle has sunk. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Has anyone tried this? should I have adjusted the temperature?
I just baked cupcakes for my son's un-birthday-they sank in- I am out of mix, we just go back from a 3 day camp trip, I am exhausted. The kitchen sink decided this would be a good time to leak, also when we were gone, a sprinkler head broke, so.... poor kid, he is getting cupcakes from the store.
I am feeling like I loser mom, but I am too tired to stay up all night to do this. I still have to clean up the water messES. and it is not like it is his REAL birthday, right?
Your not a loser mom. You just have your hands full and need to give yourself a break. Everyone has these kind of days. And as they say, dont sweat the small stuff! Im sure your son isnt going to cake that you didnt bake it. Your not going to traumatize him or anything. How many kids have you heard that had to go to therapy over their mother not baking their birthday cakes!! So cheer up, get some sleep and eat a cupcake!
As for the sinking problem, I don't think you are supposed to substitute all of the water for creamer, only like 1/3 c, thats probably the issue there.
The mom thing? Honey, we have all been there done that. You'll either get used to it or get better at it...lol
keep smiling and know your kids love you no matter what 
edited for typo problem
Look we all know how to makes cake but we all need a break sometimes too. It is ok to buy cupcakes or a cake when we don't have time.
I am trying to start a cake business with a 2 & 4 with one on the way. I think I am nuts but I love what I do. I am the same way. I am really hard on my self when it comes to something that I know I can do but sometimes there isn't enough hours in the day. I do feel for you.
Just enjoy the day and take a breather(and a nap, if possible. LOL)
Good luck.
Thanks everyone. We picked up a spiderman cupcake grouping from walmart and he loves it, so hey, at least he is happy. The DH is fixing the sink right now, and the sprinkler system is shut off temporarily so that it doesn't flood the basement (again). Tomorrow is another day.
I know that we all have days like this, and I thank heaven that I do not have them everyday. My DH ordered pizza for dinner, I took a bath, and we ate sunken cupcakes for dessert.
I read on another thread right after my original post that you shouldn't have too much fat, so that was probably my problem. Thanks for the advice, Mizshelli, I am sure you are right on.
Ahhh, the guilt of a mother!! I have never missed making my kids birthday cakes until this past one for my step daughter! I was 9 months pregnant and all she wanted was a Spongebob Character cake. Got the pan, was at my sisters and planning on going home that night to make it, but went into labour! Well, turns out it was false labour, but ended up in the hospital over night anyways. I asked my DH aunt to bake the cake so I can decorate it in the morning in time for the party, but she panicked and thought she would have to decorate so decided to make cupcakes. Needless to say, I felt bad, but the kid didn't care, and looking back now I think I must of been crazy! I guess I'm saying not to sweat it!
You are NOT a bad mother!! You just got back from a camping trip which I'm sure you had lots of fun with your family on so the cupcakes are not a big deal.
If he is like my kids, they would be much happier with a store bought cake so the time I would have spent on their cake was instead spent having fun with them!!
Take it from a mother of grown children, you're not a loser mom. Some of my hardest days were when I stressed over doing their cakes, favors, etc., etc., etc.! I didn't even enjoy the fact that my precious children were turning a year older. When they grow up and you say, "Do you remember your 9th birthday when.......?" Uh, no. But they will remember that you were a loving mother!
By the way, I added 1/3 of a cup of pralines and cream creamer and my cakes sank in the middle too. Truthfully, I wasn't crazy about the flavor. I'm going to try what another member did who tested some cakes on her customers--- I'm not going to get customers together, I'm just going to try the recipes they voted the best!
You know the saying "The cobblers' children never have any shoes"? Well....twice now, I have found that saying to hold true to my OWN children. Twice, I have been unable to make my own children's birthday cakes......and have since re-formatted the saying to be: "The bakers' children never have any cakes"!
As everyone else has said.....don't sweat it. Don't worry one bit about your store bought cupcakes.....I am sure that your son will LOVE them! Here's sending positive vibes to you that all chaos in your household settles down.....allowing you to enjoy your son's special day!
take it from a youngin'
your not a loser mom.
& your lucky u have a boy, when their young they still understand stuff. especially that you tried & thats all that matters !
so, your ok.
& your still gonna pick up more cupcakes?
not a loser mom.
all that matters is you tried !
so cheer up.
make it fun :]
just decorate those to put a new spin on em ! 
Mmmmm...sunken cupcakes are perfect for holding lots of frosting!!!
You are not a loser mom.
You are NOT a bad mother!! You just got back from a camping trip which I'm sure you had lots of fun with your family on so the cupcakes are not a big deal.
If he is like my kids, they would be much happier with a store bought cake so the time I would have spent on their cake was instead spent having fun with them!!
Mine would too. 
I really don't think kids care who makes it as long as they get something they like. Think about the number of kids who grow up in homes where Mom doesn't bake at all, they're not neglected or anything so there's no way you're a loser mom.
I substitute 1/2 of the water in my cake mix with coffee creamer and haven't had a problem.
~Chelle
P.S. Sounds to me like you're an awesome mom!
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