The history of the cupcake
It will come as no surprise to you that the cupcake was first made in America.
Cake itself has been around in some form since ancient times but the first references to ‘a cake to be baked in small cups’ rather than as a layer cake was in Amelia Simmons’ ‘American Cookery’ book in 1796.
Eliza Leslie, a 19th century American author first referred to the word ‘cupcake’ in her cookbook ‘Receipts’.
It is also thought that ‘cupcakes’ was a reference to measuring techniques.
There is no single inventor of the cupcake as they were developed in family kitchens and recipes passed down through the generations, but it is thought the size and dainty appearance was an easy alternative to slicing a whole cake.
Baking a smaller cake was also more economical.
Teacups, ceramic cups or ramekins were potentially used too for baking cupcakes in, rather than tins or paper cases.
Commercial, shop bought cupcakes appeared in around 1919 when American bakery company Hostess introduced a single-portioned ‘CupCake’ as a snack cake.
We’re big fans of the cupcake here at our bakery and enjoy being creative with different flavours and toppings.