Cupcakes, are making a big comeback. I haven’t thought much about these small cake creations since grade school, but when I came across these darling nest cupcakes by Tracey at A Cottage Industry, I got inspired.
This is really quite funny because I’m not a baker and my last attempt at icing a cake was really sad — but still, my interest was piqued and I could not stop thinking about cupcakes. I started checking out some cupcake blogs and discovered that there’s a whole new world out there and it’s a pretty delicious looking one. I became obsessed with the thought of cupcakes.
At Cupcakes take the Cake and 52 Cupcakes I read about the most sophisticated cupcake flavors. I started to crave cupcakes. Never mind all the fancy decorative cupcakes, I was now thinking about banoffee cupcakes, and lemon butterfly cupcakes topped with meringue and then thanks to Deb at Smitten Kitchen, black bottom cupcakes. 
Then I discovered the “mini” cupcake and it was love at first sight. Just a “mouthful” of delicious sweetness sounded perfect to me and much kinder on my hips. Some people call them “fairy cakes” and I think I will too.
I bought the cutest mini-cupcake pan and 12 of the reusable cupcake wrappers (they are so cool) and some paper wrappers for when I get brave enough to serve these to guests.
I’m starting off simple. Last night I whipped up a batch of “Fudge Ball Cupcakes” from a recipe I found in Cupcakes! by Elinor Klivan. They just required a light dusting of cocoa for the icing which was so simple. We each had one and my husband went back for a second. Definitely on my A-list for serving to company.
So, this will be my new “signature” dessert for entertaining. No longer will I have to agonize over WHAT to make for dessert — the answer will be “fairy cakes”. The only decision will be what flavor to make them? I’m on the hunt for great mini- cupcake recipes. I’ll let you know when I pick a favorite.
Any great cupcake tips or recipes to share? What is your signature dessert?
1. My signature dessert is Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
I just made cupcakes for the first time in a long time myself, this spring…so I am due to make more…it was Betty Crocker’s Mini Key Lime Cupcakes. It had very high ratings on her site and they were so yummy!!
Good luck with your new baking hobby!
Bella
Bella Casa Blog
by Bella — 9/2/08 at 4:47 pm #
2. Ooh, your pumpkin cake sounds yummy — might be a good cupcake flavor too? I’ll have to look up the key lime cupcakes — I love yummy! Thanks for sharing,
joan
by joan k — 9/2/08 at 5:11 pm #
3. I think I gained five pounds just reading your post! LOL
My kids love pumpkin muffins…might try adding cream cheese frosing as Bella recommended!
Susan
by Susan — 9/3/08 at 7:37 pm #
4. I hear ya’ Susan, that’s why I’m making the fairy cakes. Fewer calories if you can stick to just one. Pumpkin cake sure seems to be a fave and I agree that cream cheese icing with it sounds so good.
by joan — 9/4/08 at 11:51 am #
5. Tracey’s cupcakes are the most beautiful example of why cupcakes have made a comeback I’ve seen yet! What a fabulous idea the little nests are!
Does she sell these?
by Sarah — 9/4/08 at 2:40 pm #
6. Thanks for sharing my little nest cupcakes Joan! I’ve always loved baking (in fact, I used to do wedding cakes when my kids were young) and my passion has since moved on to cupcakes….although decoarted sugar cookies are a close second!
Tracey
http://www.acottageindustry.typepad.com
by Tracey — 9/4/08 at 3:35 pm #
7. Hi Sarah:
I agree that these cupcakes sure are an inspiration. And yes, Tracy sells her cupcakes so check her out at http://www.acottageindustry.com She does lots of other neat designs as well.
joan
by joan — 9/4/08 at 4:24 pm #
8. Tracey, so great to have you join us. Your beautiful cupcakes and blog are very inspiring to me and I’m sure they will be to others visiting here as well. All the best,
joan
by joan — 9/4/08 at 4:47 pm #
9. Just came across a mention for my blog: 52cupcakes.blogspot.com above…thought you might like to know that I adore HomeGoods and often buy plates and stands and other funny objects there to put my cupcakes on for photographing for my blog and flickr sites. It is one of my most favorite places in the world to shop! My HomeGoods is in Rockville, MD.
CQ
by Cupcake Queen — 9/24/08 at 1:37 pm #
10. I’m delighted you found the post and that you are a fellow- homegoods fan. I got all my cupcake stuff at Homegoods as well. No rival for the “cupcake queen” yet, but my husband and his co-workers are sure enjoying my experiments. LOL. Thanks for sharing with us and if you have a Homegoods inspired cupcake display to share, be sure to post it on the customer finds — I know others would love to see what an “expert” uses to show off her cupcakes in style.
by joan — 9/24/08 at 3:10 pm #
11. I recently invented my own new cupcake - right in time for Christmas! My daughter and I both devoured them and hope that you will like them too. Very simple recipe:
Combine one box of gingerbread muffin or cake mix with ingredients, as directed on the box. Stir in half a bag of sweet milk chocolate Ghirardelli chocolate chips (add more if you like), add half a bag of Heath toffee bits (you can usually find these next to the chips in the baker’s isle).
Generously spray cupcake containers. Bake as directed on cake mix box. When they are still warm out of the oven, spread a little prepared frosting and let it melt on (any kind that you like - my kids both like vanilla with sprinkles). Cool completely and enjoy!!!
by Cristen — 11/29/08 at 6:52 am #
12. Hi Cristen –thanks for sharing what sounds like a very delicious recipe
joan
by Joan — 12/1/08 at 3:03 pm #
13. Yumeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
by Crystal — 12/15/08 at 8:43 am #