Suddenly, an enticing, chocolatey goodness fills all of the surrounding space around you wafting towards your nose, pulling forth long forgotten childhood memories. You are taken on a journey through time and space, as a dearly beloved family member clatters around in the kitchen producing mixing bowls, spatulas, a mixer, cupcake pans, eggs, butter, cocoa, and all of the necessary ingredients to create an ooey, gooey scrumptious morsel called a cupcake. Your craving and memories transports you to a happy place, and you must either buy or create. However, for true fulfillment, baking a fresh batch of chocolate cupcakes from scratch is the way to go!
The history behind the cupcake is as important as the memories are, for without one, we do not have the other. The history of the cupcake reaches back into US American history to the 18th century. It was first mentioned in a cookbook titled, American Cookery, published in 1796 by Amelia Simmons. However, Mrs. Simmons did not coin the term cupcake, as her cookbook referred to them as small cakes. In fact, the beginnings of the small cake movement are unknown, but full kudos to another lovely baking connoisseur, Eliza Leslie, who published a cookbook in 1828, titled, Receipts, which is where she revolutionized the measurements of baking from weighing ingredients to using a teacup, hence the cupcake. The recipe is literally labeled, The First Cupcake. History was made, and not even a hundred years later commercial business jumped on the bandwagon, such as Hostess with their little snack cakes. Today, cupcakes are everywhere, providing us all with delicious morsels of delight!
Here at the library, we have copious amounts of dessert cookbooks, and some demonstrate the classic recipe, where others offer gluten free, vegan, or even sugar free options. We have them for adults and children! Just to entice you further, here are some fabulous baking books we have on hand to assist you in celebrating this wonderfully divine holiday! (Click on the book to be taken to the NAFC Library Catalog and/or the Indiana Digital Library):
Sweet! Celebrations; written by Elise Strachan
The Cupcake Diaries: recipes and memories from the sisters of Georgetown Cupcake; written by Katherine Kallinis
Whole Grain Vegan Baking: more than 100 tasty recipes for plant-based treats; written by Celine Steen
The Diabetic Goodie Cookbook: classic desserts and baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth; written by Kathy Kochan
Cool Wheat-Free Recipes: delicious and fun foods without gluten; written by Nancy Tuminelly
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs (Indiana Digital Library Link)
Pinkalicious: cupcake cookbook; written by Victoria Kann
