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America's Best Cupcakes
Lola Akinmade October 15, 2009
Where to go for small-size yumminess
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From their visual appeal to their perfectly rationed sizes, America’s love affair with what are known as fairy cakes in Britain elicit feelings of nostalgia. They’ve been around for as long as we can remember.
See our slideshow of America's Best Cupcakes.
The concept of individually portioned cakes appeared centuries ago, dating back to the 18th century with some of the earliest recipes surfacing in 1796 as researched by Lynne Olver, editor of the Food Timeline. The origin of the term “cupcake,” however, stems from two competing theories: Some say it comes from the amount of ingredients in each cake (a cupful of flour, butter, and sugar each), while others point to the fact that early cupcakes were baked in clay pottery cups.
“Cupcakes appeal to people’s sense of individuality because they can choose amongst a vast array of options or create their own; playing with color, size, flavor and decoration,” says blogger Rachel Kramer Bussel. “There’s a special glee people have when they get a cupcake that is unrivaled amongst desserts."
Because our tastes for sweets differ greatly—from chocolate lovers to berry lovers—bakery shops keep inventing new, ever-more decadent flavors. Taking this into account, we’ve compiled a list that spotlights a range of tastes from classic moist cupcakes to the best vegan cupcakes from BabyCakes NYC and denser, thicker cupcakes offered by CakeLove in Washington, D.C.
See our slideshow of America's Best Cupcakes.
“Cupcakes allot our baking team the opportunity to be imaginative,” says Sarah Kalina, VP of marketing and development for Main Street Cupcakes based in Hudson, Ohio. This originality is evident in the recent creations of co-owner and head baker Sean Nock. While vacationing in Mexico and enjoying coffee with liqueur, he developed the Mayan Coffee Cupcake—a moist chocolate cake with espresso, anise and keoke coffee covered in vanilla buttercream sprinkled with cinnamon. Then there's his inspired Miami Vice Cupcake, a sweet strawberry margarita cake topped with piña colada buttercream.
Biting into cupcakes invoke feelings of nostalgia and familiarity. They transport us back to our childhood when times were simpler and life was uncomplicated. Steve Abrams, owner of the iconic New York Magnolia Bakery, agrees: “In a fast-paced and complex world, people yearn for the simpler times and experience we provide.” Cupcakes from his store have been featured on the hit TV series Sex and the City as well as The Devil Wears Prada on the big screen.
“As an only child, I always appreciated the fact that it was my very own little cake that I didn’t have to share! " says Maria Baugh, co-owner of Butter Lane in New York, known for its meringue-like French buttercream frosting made from egg whites, granulated sugar and butter.
See our slideshow of America's Best Cupcakes.
Their portability and ease of consumption makes cupcakes perfect for parties and events. “People are drawn to cupcakes because of their versatility, uniqueness, and convenience,” says James Gray, owner and head baker for Dozen Bake Shop, which supplies Dozen Cupcakes in Pittsburgh, Pa. “Cupcakes are so easy to eat and don't require plates or utensils.” Indeed, you won't need a straw either for Dozen Cupcakes’ delectable Cosmo made with dried cranberries soaked in vodka and lime juice with a tangy lime buttercream spread on top, inspired, of course, by the popular cocktail the Cosmopolitan.
Cupcakes also appeal to our inclination towards appearances. There’s a certain “cuteness” factor that contributes to their desirability. “I think people are drawn to cupcakes because they are a perfect slice of cake. Each one has the perfect icing to cake ratio,” says Cary Koerner, Owner of Cake Fetish, in Albuquerque, N.M. “They look proportional and are visually attractive with their arrays of colors, textures, and aromas.”
See our slideshow of America's Best Cupcakes.
America’s undying penchant for cupcakes is probably why Martha Stewart’s book, Cupcakes, remains a best seller under Amazon’s Cooking, Food, & Wine category. With over 175 tips including scrumptious recipes for frostings, fillings, cakes, and edible decorations, cupcake enthusiasts can mix and match to their hearts’ content. Our fondness for these tasty miniatures also explains the resurgence of clubs such as The Denver Cupcake Club Meetup Group and the MSC Cupcake Club dedicated to swapping recipes and connecting with other aficionados.
This was why enthusiast Rachel Kramer Bussel started her blog in December 2004, with partners Nichelle Stephens and Stacie Joy hopping on board later. They wanted to expand the coverage of cupcakes beyond recipes by celebrating innovative creations, spotlighting unique bakeries, and exploring various tastes around the country.
“They are perfectly packaged little sweet treasures that conjure up nostalgia. Also, they look magical in numbers," says Erin McKenna, Founder of BabyCakes NYC, a top vegan bakery heavily frequented by the likes of Hilary Swank, Natalie Portman, and Moby. Along with its celebrity fans, the cupcake is a current favorite of brides who are now opting for cupcake towers instead of traditional tiered wedding cakes.
“You can never get over the beauty of a table full of cupcakes,” adds McKenna, “It never loses its ‘wow’ appeal. “
See our slideshow of America's Best Cupcakes.
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