There are some things you just can't not love! The frosted bite-sized symbol of all things pretty and edible is something one cannot resist.
They're almost abominably heavenly, petite and adorned with gooey swirls of luscious chocolate butter cream and colourful daffy sprinkles — the cupcake is back and how!
With a history that dates back to the late 18th century, the cupcake has been an eternal favourite.
We can thank pop culture for the cupcake Renaissance. Carrie Bradshaw and her gang of girls immortalised Magnolia Bakery's meringue cupcakes in “Sex and the City”. In 2001, Johnny Earle, all of 26, started the ‘Johnny Cupcakes Clothing' company as a caper which manufactured T-shirts with insignias of a cupcake supplanting the skull in the ubiquitous skull and bones sign.
But why the overwhelming frenzy over the itsy-bitsy fairy cake which was a staple at birthday parties? “They're easy to make, easy to eat and are a refreshing change from the regular one kg cakes at birthday parties,” says Disha Pillai, a stay-at-home mom and baking enthusiast. The visual appeal is a huge magnet. “They are eye-catching and despite the twirls of frosting, one doesn't feel guilty when he/she indulges in a treat as small as a cupcake,” she adds.
According to Altrisha Fernandes, a confectionary art teacher, “Cupcakes are popular because they are less messy, are easily portable and storage also isn't a hassle. The latest fad is to distribute cupcakes in school on birthdays instead of chocolates. They also make for ideal gifts.”
Scout about online and there are innumerable blogs and websites dedicated to the tiny pastry and you can find information on just about anything from recipes for cupcakes and frostings to how to use piping bags and which nozzle is best suited to glaze your cupcake to where to buy muffin liners and trays.
The cupcake is now gourmet food. Exclusive cupcake boutiques are common abroad but India sure is catching up. For instance, there's “Butterfly” in Mumbai, the cupcake shop co-owned by former Miss India Sarah Jane Dias. In our own city there's Sumeet Ghambir's “Sugarcube” and Nithya Susan Sunil's “Sugarcraft” among a few others. Nithya, who worked as a chartered accountant until she figured her true calling, has been in the cupcake business for three years although she set up her company only this January. “It wasn't a pre-planned decision to bake cupcakes exclusively. It was something that just happened and clicked. Birthday parties apart, I receive cupcake orders most frequently for baby showers and anniversaries. There's no particular reason or occasion to gorge on cupcakes. Some use it as a means to say ‘thank you', others order them as a surprise for their significant other and even corporates place orders for these goodies. Themed cupcakes have a fan following, whether it's for a graduation, a cricket match or for Valentine's Day, there are always takers for these treats. Liquor-flavoured cupcakes are a huge hit with the adults, especially among men.”
The best thing about cupcakes is that there's much room for creativity and innovation. Move beyond chocolate-chip cupcakes topped with vanilla butter cream. Now flavours range from tiramisu, peanut butter, Oreo and raspberry cheesecake to mint chocolate, honey lemon, red velvet and banana.
Fondant in the shape of hearts, cartoons, teddy bears, coffee mugs, etc and decorations such as cake vermicelli, sprinkles and silver charms transform the modest pint sized cake into something flamboyant.
Long live the cupcake!
Cupcakes are back with a bang and are considered gourmet food
They have a strong influence on pop culture
They're popular with everyone, irrespective of age or gender
People love them as making, eating and storing them is hassle free
Themed cupcakes are popular and there are innumerable flavours to choose from
