3 Reasons why are Cupcakes so Popular?

Kids Cupcake Selection

Cupcakes are one of the most popular orders we receive here at Eve’s Cakes. Whether it is for a birthday, baby shower or a postponed wedding (summer 2020) they get ordered a lot!

It is a trend that is here to stay, even though they have been around for a while now, there is no slowing them down.

They are small and dainty, and you don’t have to share. You can take the whole thing and devour it. Firstly let’s find out a little bit about cupcake history.

Cupcake History

There were two meanings for the word cupcake. Firstly, it was used for cakes that are baked in ramekins or muffin tins producing a teacup size cake. Instead of baking a cake in a layer, cupcakes are divided into smaller portions, baked and decorated individually.

And secondly, cup cake means a cake that’s ingredients are measured in volume in cups rather than in weight as with a pound cake. However, in the 17th century these cup cakes were still normally baked as loaves or layers. 

Cupcakes were also known as number cakes or 1234 cakes. The recipe was easy to remember by the number of cups each ingredient was needed. It took one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour and four eggs.

And back then people were still using heart ovens. Yes, those large stone-lined fire places. And baking anything was an ordeal. Using muffin tins to prepare smaller cakes that cooked much faster was a practical invention. 

In 1796, Amelia Simmons cookery book “American Cookery” had a recipe for “a light cake to bake in small cups”. 

The actual term “cupcake” however, appeared in 1828 in a cookery book called “Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats” by Eliza Leslie. 

Interestingly Eliza Leslie had two recipes, “The New York Cup Cake” and “The Ginger Cup Cake” and both recipes had spices such as cinnamon or ginger, and the New York Cup Cake even called for white wine. Cheers! 

Below are both recipes if you are feeling adventurous with your wine one day! 

3 Reasons why are Cupcakes so Popular? 

Short and sweet, below are the three main reasons we get cupcakes ordered every day over a cake. 

1. Portion Control. They are less hassle, no awkward measuring of slices and carefully lifting them onto a plate. You can just pick them up and start eating. And you don’t even need a plate since they are in casings. Also, cupcakes generate very little waste or leftovers. 
2. Great Gifts. Cupcakes are also great as gifts. They are great for a celebration, to say thank you or just a little surprise treat. 
3. So Versatile. You can order cupcakes for every occasion now. They also come in every imaginable flavour and decoration. They can go from kiddies Cookie Monster cupcakes to an elaborate wedding cupcake. Check out my wedding cupcakes here. 

Here is a clip from Sex and the City show which apparently played its role in the growing popularity of cupcakes. 

PS! Carrie tells Miranda about her new crush Aidan. 

PS: Do’nt forget to check our page for cup cakes https://www.evescakes.ie/cupcakes