Cupcakes

Fairy Cakes?

Yep, they were once upon a time called fairy cakes, and patty cakes, (like the nursery rhyme) because some sweet woman, ages ago, must have told her children, teasingly, that she was baking a little cake for the fairies, and instead given it to them. Some Pagan beliefs indicated that, similar small cakes, and breads were baked to place outside one’s door, to keep fairies from going hungry, and venturing indoors to steal from the pantry. Cupcakes were first invented, officially in the early 1880’s as a more convenient replacement to larger cakes, which require more utensils. Others think they were invented in the Victorian era as a smaller version of the sponge cake, for children to have at tea.

Have fun with cupcakes! Thinking about taking your cupcake recipe farther? Whether it’s for a holiday, or for a work party, cupcakes make a great addition to the standard coffee gatherings. Colored frosting can make even the most boring social gathering come alive, –plus, sugar is a natural stimulant, and will help perk your gloomy co-workers right up. Plus, there are thousands of seasonal recipes and ideas for cupcakes. You can buy plastic toppers at the grocery, or make your own at home, using cookies, or fruit. Try multiple colored frostings for seasonal cupcakes, such as small candy eggs for Easter, pumpkin and candy corn designs for Halloween. The ideas for the holidays are endless!

Cupcakes are so easy to make, and can be made in large quantities quickly, so they’re ideal for any school, office, or personal party event at the last minute. Try picking one day, to surprise your significant other with a dozen or so of them, or your kids. But it’s more fun to see the look on a grown man’s face when he comes home from work and sees a kitchen full of multi-colored cakes surrounding him, in little pink paper cups.