Cupcake Craze

     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/