When I arrived this morning, one of my team had placed a cutting from today’s Daily Mail on my desk and you’ve guessed, it was all about cupcakes! The article is very amusing, it’s written by a ‘grumpy male mid-lifer’ – the authors words not mine! It talks about how cupcakes are taking over the world right now and discusses our current obsession with these ‘sugary things’. Apparently, Vogue pronounces that:
“Owning a cupcake bakery is the career fantasy of our times”
Cupcakes ghastly confections?
The author describes cupcakes as “ghastly confections”. I have to partially agree with him here as I have seen, and I’m sure many of you have too, cupcakes that can only be described as ghastly!
It is said, a story I’ve heard reiterated many times, that cupcakes first took off in the US in 2000, with the help of the fictional protagonists of Sex in the City, who dropped in for dainty treats at the (real) Magnolia Bakery in New York. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this urban myth?
First cupcakes in print
I know that I was one of the first cake designers in the UK to publish cupcakes in a book. Each cake in my Storybook cake book has matching cupcakes to complement the main cake. I created this book in early 2003. I don’t, however, remember back to what had influenced me to persuade my publishers to include these little bites of delight!
Cupcakes are taking over the world!
Going back to the article, it is interesting to read what people are saying:
“Some people say the rise of the cupcake is a sign of decadence – all that sugar and carbs in a pretty little shell. Others tell you it’s about control – a tiny treat in a minimalist package, just enough to say: ‘I’m worth it’. Other cupcake commentators say they bring comfort in uncertain times, coming in the shape of an affordable micro-pleasure”
My opinion about cupcakes…
I love cupcakes, baking and decorating these wonderful little cakes is simply fun, rewarding and not too time-consuming. They are also an excellent way to experiment with sugarcraft techniques and design ideas.
Tell me – who could resist eating a handcrafted delicious cupcake? No-one I know!!
We’d love to hear your comments, what do you think about the rise and popularity of cupcakes? Do you agree that cupcakes are taking over the world?
Cupcake Update:
Cupcake decorating has grown and developed over the years since I wrote this blog post. Two distinct styles have emerged. Commercial cupcakes topped swirls of flavoured buttercream and artisan cupcakes. Stylish cupcakes lovely handcrafted and decorated with sugarpaste using a whole host of sugarcraft techniques. To find out more, why not visit my ‘Be Inspired by cupcakes‘ gallery to see examples of some of my latest designs.
Happy baking and decorating
Lindy
“Bringing world-class sugarcraft into your kitchen”
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Lindy Smith says
I don’t know what is so special about today – 1st Feb 2010 but I’ve just found another cupcake article, this time in today’s Times Online titled Cupcakes have gone cool – Succumb to the sickly charms of a cupcake, the most fashionable treat of our times
Mandy Needham says
“Who could resist eating a handcrafted cupcake? No-one I know!!”
Actually, I often find that, when presented with a beautifully handcrafted cupcake the first thing people say is “Oh, it looks too good to eat”.
They usually resist for a while, just leaving it to one side to admire, but eventually they give in to temptation and the cake is gone!
Mandy