So what is a cupcake?

Nowadays it is a little, individual cake often baked in a metal tray that holds about a dozen cakes. Quite often contained in a paper or foil liner and topped with a delicious frosting or icing. Some times confused or blurred with a muffin. Constantly delicious and typically decorated to a theme and iced with flowers, animals or fruit. The possibilities are endless.

But it was not normally this way.

The origins of the term cupcake are not entirely clear. Some consider that it was an early trend to bake cakes in smaller containers (cups). Early cooking practice was not quick with larger, hard to regulate open hearth ovens. Associated with this was the truth that many of the recipes had been significant in volume so cooking outcomes had been regularly of variable or burnt high quality. Consequently cooking in smaller containers, ramekins or \'cups\' became a practice that has remained, with variations, until this day.

Other people believe that it is extra related to a trend from weighing to volume measurement for recipes. In an era when a lot of could not read a recipe the concept of measuring ingredients by the cupful was an easy way to bear in mind a recipe. (Baking by numbers perhaps)

So we have 1,two,3 and 4 for 1 cup of butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour and 4 eggs which remains a fundamental ingredient list even today. In the same era it was feasible to make a recipe by weighing the ingredients in pounds but this produced a significantly larger cake which was regularly referred to as a \'pound\' cake. Given that of their smaller and clearly less high-priced nature \'cup cakes\' gained in popularity in both the house and the bakery.

Whatever the true origin of the term \'cupcakes, they are here to stay for us all to get pleasure from. Sarah Jessica Parker proved that point when she bit into her pink frosted cupcake in that episode of Sex and the City.

But their appeal comes from more than just a preferred tv show. It appears that cupcakes are now pretty much timeless. And this can almost certainly be put down to a number of easy elements

• They remind individuals of an era past
  
• They are effortless to prepare and cook
  
• Icing and frosting can be as effortless or fancy as desired
  
• Their selection is practically endless
  
• Everyone gets an individual cake
  
• Tiny many people (kids) can manage them much better than a cut cake
  
• The frosting to cake ratio is higher than for a larger cake

One of the most beneficial methods to develop into involved in the cupcake \'revolution\' is to commence baking a couple of your self. And recipes, frosting and designs abound in a number of locations.

Start with this beneficial for the reason that it will give you the confidence to take on other a lot more advanced ones when you succeed - and it is hassle-free to do so. And keep in mind they are often a hit with both young and old.

Then when you have created a success of the baking look for a basic frosting or icing recipe that you can use to top your baking success. And if you feel unsure of how to make your 1st batch of frosting this effortless frosting recipe will get you on the way.

As soon as you have made your batch just apply the frosting with a spatula or tiny flat bladed knife for your first attempt. Do not try anything too fancy to commence with.Then when you feel you want to advance a small further or make a lot more professional designs then it is time to buy an icing bag and tips.

Take the plunge and join in the excitement of baking, icing - and then consuming these fabulous little cakes. Always spreading the enjoyment 1 cake at a time to as a large number of others as you can.