Now
that you know the pros and cons of scratch versus boxed cake mix, I want to
discuss the various ways to use the batter to make your very own
creations. People have been baking
sheet cakes for centuries, however more recently the craze has become cupcakes
and cake pops. So why choose one
over the other and when did the craze begin?
The
traditional sheet cake is not as popular as it once was. Though there are still many bakeries
that bake sheet cakes and wedding cakes, many bakeries are popping up everywhere
that specialize in just cupcakes.
In fact, the first cupcake bakery was Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly
Hills, California in 2004 (Sprinkles Cupcakes, 2004). The cupcake craze has inspired T.V. shows such as Cupcake
Wars on the Food Network and DC Cupcakes on TLC.
Many
date the cupcake craze back to Sarah Jessica Parker's "cupcake shop"
on Sex and the City (Mitchell).
Cupcake bakeries are so popular because they allow people to choice
their indulgence. They are just
the right size for one person and there is such a variety, that everyone in the
family can pick their very own flavor.
Most cupcake bakeries also use high-quality ingredients that with just
the right amounts of each, makes the perfect flavor.
Cupcakes
are easy and fun. They allow a
baker to have an imagination with batter and frosting flavors, each cupcake can
be different and they give you the ability to decorate each with it's own look. Cupcakes can come in all flavors; check
out the top ten cupcakes flavors from TLC.
My most recent creation was a Chocolate
Pretzel Crunch Cupcake that combined the sweet and rich flavors of chocolate
cake and frosting with the saltiness of pretzels.
Cake
pops have also become popular in recent years. They are showing up everywhere, birthday parties, weddings,
and more. Cake pops are mini balls
of cake on a stick that are dipped in chocolate. They are the perfect bite size treat and can be made in any
flavor you choose; they are also easy to make and eat! Cake pops can be transformed into many
other treats, such as brownie or cookie balls; you can also make cake pops look
like just about anything. Snowmen,
owls (below), chicks, Hello Kitty, ice cream cones, babies, flowers, and so many more
creations have been made as cake pops.
Personally, I have tried all kinds of cake balls. My personal favorite is Nutter Butter
Balls; learn how to make these cookie balls at Tasty Kitchen.
Sheet
cakes, stacked cakes, cupcakes and cake balls have all had their fame in
America. Today, cupcakes and cake
balls are the latest fad, but will they last? New York Times asked this question and many followers agreed
that the cupcake trend was near it's end.
They believe baked goods such as cookies, marshmallows, brownies and
puddings are the next big trend (Trend watch: is). However, I believe cupcakes are still on the rise, many
Americans are still purchasing cupcakes over sheet cakes and more and more
cupcake bakeries are showing up all across America. I think the cupcake business has many years left at the top;
there may be new trends that come about, but I do not believe they can trump
the all mighty cupcake.
Mitchell, J. (n.d.). In hard times? let them eat cupcakes.. Retrieved from http://redwoodage.com/content/view/167480/44
Trend watch: is the cupcake fad nearing an end?.
(n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thekitchn.com/trend-watch-is-the-cupcake-fad-62842
Sprinkles cupcakes. (2004). Retrieved from
https://www.sprinkles.com/
I like cupcakes but I prefer regular cake. I find cupcakes harder to eat and I usually end up with frosting up my nose! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's why cake pops are perfect. Just a bite or two and no messy cupcake wrapper. I'd be thrilled to get a bouquet of cake pops for a special occasion. Other people can have their chocolate covered strawberries... give me cake!
ReplyDeleteI love those pretzel cupcakes! Is that your confection? What I find to be so interesting is that you really can be so creative with cupcakes, people just don't take the time to realize what you can do. You literally have to think outside of the box. My friend makes the most amazing cookies and cream oreo stuffed cupcakes I have EVER seen!!
ReplyDelete