Unique Cupcakes

     As we discovered in the scratch versus boxed cake mix post, scratch cake is a great way to customize flavors.  The wonderful thing about creating cakes from scratch is that you able to combine ingredients to invent the most unique flavor combinations.  Ingredients that would not typically be thought of as cake ingredients inspire the most unique cupcakes. 

     Cupcake Wars is a cupcake competition that is aired on the Food Network channel; the show judges bakers based on taste and decorations.  The most unique cupcakes and displays are typically the winners of each show.  This show inspires many at home bakers to experiment with flavors to make their own creations.  I know I have been inspired by many of the baker's cupcakes on this show.  My favorite unique cupcake concept made on Cupcake Wars is the Pulled Pork and Sweet Corn Country Cupcakes.  It combines the sweet and savory flavors to create an interesting cupcake (Top 92 cupcake, 2012).  

     Liquor, beer, sweet potatoes, soda, cookies, popcorn, and so many more flavors inspire many cupcakes, but many would not think of these flavors to incorporate into a cupcake.  The top twenty unique cupcakes in 2010 were chocolate cherry coke, strawberry lime stuffed cupcakes, caramel pecan, pineapple, oreo, Guinness, lemon, blueberry white chocolate, nutella filled, olive oil, orange, pomegranate, huckleberry raspberry marshmallow, chocolate chip cookie dough, coconut, cinnamon roll, cider cupcakes with marshmallow frosting, grapefruit, snickerdoodle, caramel macchiato and margarita cupcakes (Top 20 unique, 2010).

     Other unique flavors include creamsicle, caramel apple, zucchini ginger, spiced chai latte, mojito, gin and tonic and root beer float (10 interestingly unique, 2009). .  These flavor combinations seem funky and some would be unenthusiastic to try them.  However, there are many people who jump at the chance to try these creations.  I for one am eager to make and try all kinds of flavor combinations.  The most unique cupcake I have created is a cookie monster cupcake.  It is unique in flavor and decoration.  The cookie monster cupcake is a cookie dough cupcake with cream cheese frosting, stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth.  Marshmallow eyes top off the cookie monster and give him his true identity. 

     Unique cupcakes are amazing on their own, however, with the addition of a unique liner, your cupcake is set to be the talk of the party.  Check out the website Cupcake Swirl to purchase the perfect apparel for your unique treat. 

Top 92 cupcake wars recipe. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/shows/showtoprecipes/0,1000011,FOOD_32078_1230_06,00.html

10 interestingly unique cupcake recipes. (2009, February 6). Retrieved from http://myfindsonline.com/2009/02/06/10-interestingly-unique-cupcake-recipes/

Top 20 unique cupcake recipes of 2010. (2010, April 21). Retrieved from http://myfindsonline.com/2010/04/21/cupcake-recipes/