Bake up a storm and indulge your sweet tooth, as we celebrate National Cupcake Day! This joyful celebration takes place once a year, paying homage to the much-loved dessert - the cupcake. It offers a wonderful opportunity for individuals, families, and dessert businesses to whip up and enjoy these bite-sized treats.
National Cupcake Day is more than just an excuse to satisfy our cravings for sweets, it adds a sprinkle of joy, a touch of creativity, as we explore and unveil different versions and flavors of this cherished sweet treat.
History of National Cupcake Day
December 15th is a special day for sweet lovers in the United States - it’s National Cupcake Day, also referred to as National Cupcake Lover’s Day. This day puts the spotlight on a beloved treat whose popularity originated in the 19th century.
In their early days, cupcakes were known as “number cakes” because their ingredients were measured in simple cup portions, making this recipe easily accessible for folks at home. This enables them to create these compact pastries that cook much faster than their full-sized counterparts.
However, these bite-sized delights were not always in the culinary limelight. It was not until the turn of the millennium that cupcake fascination truly skyrocketed. Gourmet cupcake shops began appearing all over the country, offering an enticing array of flavors and gorgeous decorations. The cupcake craze was further stoked by their frequent appearances on popular television shows. To this day, their popularity holds steady – folks simply can’t get enough of these versatile and individually portioned delectables.
National Cupcake Day likely emerged in the early 21st century, in sync with the cupcake fervor. Its mission is crystal clear: to indulge in the enticing world of cupcakes and explore the limitless possibilities in taste, garnishing, and presentation.
National Cupcake Day Timeline
Cupcakes in Ancient Rome
The first 'cupcakes' were made in Rome, though they were more like sweet breads than the cupcakes we know today.
First known recipe of cupcake
The earliest known recipe of something close to a cupcake was written by Amelia Simmons in American Cookery.
The name 'Cupcake'
The earliest documentation of the term cupcake was in Eliza Leslie's Receipts cookbook in 1828.
Hostess CupCakes
Hostess introduced its cupcakes to the public which are now an iconic snack in United States.
Peak of the Cupcake Trend
Cupcake-only bakeries started sprouting after Carrie Bradshaw was seen eating a cupcake from the Magnolia Bakery on Sex and The City.
Cupcake ATMs
Sprinkles Cupcakes launched the world's first Cupcake ATM in Beverly Hills, California.
National Cupcake Day Future
National Cupcake Day continues to grow in popularity, with more specialty bakeries and home bakers participating.
Ideas to Celebrate National Cupcake Day
Cupcake Baking Marathon
Gather your friends or family and bake a variety of cupcakes using different unique flavors. You can even have a contest to see who can come up with the most inventive or delicious cupcake recipe.
Cupcake Themed Party
Throw a cupcake themed party where the decor, costumes, and activities are all centered around cupcakes. Guests can come dressed as their favourite type of cupcake, or as something related to baking cupcakes.
Donate Cupcakes
Celebrate by giving back to your community. Bake or buy some cupcakes and donate them to a local charity, school, or healthcare facility. Not only will this brighten someone's day, but it's also a great way to spread the love on National Cupcake Day.
Cupcake Picnic
Take advantage of the outdoors and have a cupcake picnic. Pack up a selection of different types of cupcakes and enjoy them in your local park or backyard.
Cupcake DIY Kit
Create a cupcake DIY kit and send it to your friends and family. This great activity will allow everyone to celebrate National Cupcake Day together, even if you can't physically be together.Annnounce a meetup online to decorate cupcakes using the kit.
Visit a Cupcake Shop
Go out and visit your local cupcake shops. It's a great way to support local businesses, and you'll get to try different types of cupcakes.
5 Interesting Facts About Cupcakes
Cupcake World Record
The world's largest cupcake was was achieved by Georgetown Cupcake (USA) at Georgetown Cupcake's national shipping headquarters in Sterling, Virginia, USA in 2011. It weighed a whopping 2,594 pounds.
Cupcake ATM
One bakery in Beverly Hills, 'Sprinkles', created the first-ever Cupcake ATM. It allows customers to purchase fresh cupcakes and cookies 24/7.
Cupcake in French
In France, cupcakes are called 'le petit gâteau', which literally translates to 'little cake'.
Vanilla is Popular
According to a survey by The Food Network, vanilla is the most popular cupcake flavor, followed by chocolate, red velvet, and carrot cake.
Crazy flavors
Cupcakes have been made in all sorts of unconventional flavors, such as lavender, bacon, and even sushi cupcakes.
National Cupcake Day FAQs
Next National Cupcake Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 15th | Friday |
| 2024 | December 15th | Sunday |
| 2025 | December 15th | Monday |
| 2026 | December 15th | Tuesday |
| 2027 | December 15th | Wednesday |
| What is the pattern? | Every December 15th | |
National Cupcake Day Word Search
- Cupcake
- Frosting
- Sprinkles
- Baking
- Treats
- Dessert