National Cupcake Day
Visit a cupcake bakery, or host a cupcake making and decorating party with friends or family. Make it a competition to get the absolute best possible results.
A cupcake is like a great pop song. The whole world in less than three minutes. And it’s impossible to have a bad cupcake… I’m always looking, always on the eternal search for the perfect cupcake. I take them very seriously.
Aurel Nakadate
Laurel, it would be impossible to agree more!
Cupcakes are truly the little hand-sized delights of the confectionery world, coming in as many variations as the imagination can dream up. Topped with everything from sprinkles to frosting to candies, cupcakes are absolutely delightful!
National Cupcake Day is a sign that it’s time to enjoy one of the world’s most delightful treats, the cupcake.
It’s like heaven in just a few bites.
How To Celebrate National Cupcake Day
Celebrating National Cupcake Day has everything to do with making, eating and wholeheartedly enjoying all things that have to do with cupcakes. Try out these fun ideas:
Make Themed Cupcakes
One great way to celebrate National Cupcake Day is to produce a delicious version of cupcakes from scratch, using creativity and flair to create a style of cupcake that is personally unique.
Science organizations at schools and colleges are particularly fond of making a ‘periodic table of cupcakes’, each of them marked with the atomic number and abbreviation of an element.The possibilities are limitless with the tantalizing desserts that are cupcakes!
Have Fun Decorating Cupcakes
Cupcakes can be as simple and easy or as extravagant as desired, which is one thing that is so great about them. To make this day different from any other average day, try these creative ideas that can really make these cupcakes special:
- Add sprinkles. Not only to the top but also add sprinkles to the raw batter before baking. This can make cupcakes a lot more fun in a simple, colorful way.
- Add a filling! Just make a bit of extra frosting in the same flavor or even a different flavor. After the cupcakes are baked, scoop a small amount of the center of the cupcake and fill it with frosting, then frost the top.This is an easy way to add a surprise for whoever takes the first bite.
- Try new frosting designs. This small change makes the cupcake look totally different! Instead of just spreading on icing with a knife, using a piping bag and different shaped tips can really bump up the quality and look of cupcakes, with minimal added effort.
Host a National Cupcake Day Party
Another way to celebrate is to have a party. Inviting friends and family over for some delicious cupcakes and fun cupcake-related crafts can be super fun!
Having a “cupcake bar” is a great way to start. Go ahead and premake a bunch of cupcakes. It might even be fun to try out some different flavors, but leave them plain and undecorated.
Then, at the party, bring out a bunch of different colors of icing and sprinkles, then let people design their own custom cupcakes. Mini cupcakes are also a great addition to this activity. Or, for a different take on the day, making a normal sized cake that looks like a giant cupcake is a fun idea as well.
Visit a Cupcake Bakery
If sitting at someone’s house for a cupcake party doesn’t seem exciting enough, there are plenty of cupcake bakeries that need to be visited! Here are some examples from around the world, offering delicious treats. Take a trip to visit these or try finding one in a local neighborhood:
- Two Little Red Hens located in New York, USA. Two Little Red Hens has some great options including different seasonal options, like pumpkin spice for autumn months.
- The Hummingbird Bakery located in London, England. This bakery is a good choice for people with dietary requirements like gluten or dairy intolerances, as well as egg free and vegan options.
- Cuppin’s located in Lausanne, Switzerland. Cuppin’s is also located in Terrassiere and Philosphes, Switzerland. They have lots of different cupcake options, including “themed party” options.
- Bluebells Cakery located in Auckland, New Zealand. Bluebells Cakery has a ton of options including customized cupcakes along with other customizable baked goods. They also do prepare cupcakes for weddings and parties!
History of National Cupcake Day
Cupcakes, surprisingly, haven’t been around as long as most people might suspect. That isn’t to say that they don’t have a long and respectable history.
Cupcakes were first unofficially invented in 1796 when Amelia Simmons published a recipe for “a light cake to bake in small cups” in American Cookery. But it wasn’t until 1828 that these little beauties would come to be known as ‘cupcakes’, a term coined by Eliza Leslie’s cookbook recipes.
Back in the early days of cupcakedom, these delights were made in distinguished ceramic cups. In fact, a happy little remnant of this practice can be found in the modern ‘mug cake’, where a ceramic mug is filled with ingredients and placed in a microwave to create a quick and moist cake.
Of course, things have advanced a bit since the days of cups of heavy pottery, and these days it is super easy to find cupcake “pans” made of everything from stainless steel to silicone rubber, each with their own advantages.
However they are prepared, cupcakes are sure to be a hit at every venue. There are even gluten-free and vegan varieties of these cakes for those who are on restrictive diets. While these options may not sound immediately appetizing, rest assured that some of these recipes are positively taste-bud-blowing.
It’s time to celebrate National Cupcake Day!
National Cupcake Day FAQs
Did you know cupcakes were originally baked as emergency desserts?
In the 19th century, cupcakes were seen as “emergency cakes” for their quick baking time.
They were perfect for households when surprise visitors arrived or when a sweet treat was needed on short notice. Their size and simplicity made them practical in an era without modern ovens.
How did cupcakes evolve into a gourmet phenomenon?
Cupcakes became gourmet with the rise of boutique bakeries in the 2000s.
Places like Magnolia Bakery began elevating cupcakes with intricate designs, exotic flavors, and premium ingredients. This shift turned a humble treat into an art form.
What is the world’s largest cupcake ever made?
The world’s largest cupcake weighed a whopping 1,224 pounds! It was made in 2009 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Magnolia Bakery in New York City.
How did cupcakes become a pop culture phenomenon?
Cupcakes became a fad in the early 2000s after the TV show “Sex and the City” featured them regularly from New York’s Magnolia Bakery. This exposure led to a surge in cupcake popularity worldwide.
What is the difference between cupcakes and fairy cakes?
In British English, cupcakes are known as “fairy cakes.” Traditional English fairy cakes are smaller in size compared to American cupcakes and often have a lighter sponge and less elaborate icing.
What’s the strangest cupcake flavor ever made?
Some bakeries push boundaries with bizarre flavors like bacon-maple, sriracha, or even squid ink cupcakes. These unusual combinations intrigue adventurous eaters and reflect the creativity in modern baking.
How have cupcakes adapted to dietary trends?
Modern bakeries offer a variety of cupcakes catering to dietary preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, and keto options, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful treat.
What is the record for the most cupcakes eaten in the shortest time?
The record for eating the most cupcakes in the shortest time is 29 cupcakes in 30 seconds.
How did cupcakes get their name?
Cupcakes were initially called “number cakes” because their ingredients were measured by the cupful, making the recipe simple to remember and prepare.
What is the most expensive cupcake ever made?
In 2011, a diamond-studded cupcake worth $900,000 became the world’s most expensive cupcake.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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