They have been around for a long time and have been traditionally enjoyed by young and old alike. However, their recent resurgence has been a force to be reckoned with - and our sweet tooth is only too happy to submit to their power.
What is it about these diminutive bites that makes them so irresistible? It's many factors really. Cupcakes are the flavour of the times because they are easy to eat; easier to take when on the go; they team up perfectly with coffee, tea, you and me; they do a star turn as a dessert; and they are undeniable nostalgia nibbles. Most of all, cupcakes downsize the cravings guilt, literally.
Recipes
Mocha cupcakes
Strawberry cupcakes
Candied ginger cupcakes
Spiced banana and date cupcakes
Carrot and walnut cupcakes
Dried fig and pecan cupcakes
Cherry and chocolate cupcakes
"Cupcakes are the newest phenomenon to be endorsed by the young and the trendy - just like the doughnut revolution of the eighties. Cupcakes are here to stay," say Dalia Dogmoch and Racil Chalhoub, co-founders of Kitsch Cupcakes, a chain of cupcake bars (which also serves coffee, cookies and cakes besides cupcakes). Dalia, who is also the chief baker of the chain, is based in Dubai, and shuttles between its Jumeirah, Abu Dhabi and DIFC branches, while Racil is based in Beirut, and travels to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on business regularly. The childhood friends/business partners call it a "labour of love" to be involved in each and every step of running their chain - right from selecting and acquiring the ingredients to baking cupcakes and tasting them, and finally serving them to the clients.
When we visited the suave outlet in DIFC, the latest branch to open in Dubai, the two of them were personally taking orders from guests and serving coffee and cupcakes. "For us it's not just another business, but something that we thrive on. We love to have direct feedback from the clients, which is the best way to witness our dreams take shape and is a very fulfilling experience indeed."
It helps to be a hands-on owner of the business as the two constantly reinvent their recipes to keep the regulars engaged. The ‘Skinny', a low-fat and low-sugar variant, is doing brisk business, and the date cupcakes (introduced during Ramadan last year), have now found a permanent place on the menu due to popular demand.
Cupcakes are great as snacks on the go and also make excellent gifts to take to dinner parties, and on picnics and camping trips. They are a favourite nibble at baby showers and birthday parties.
With cupcakes, beginners can perfect their baking and frosting skills easily. Most cupcake recipes take no more than ten minutes of preparation and 30 minutes or less of actual baking. Plus cupcake recipes are a great way to involve the kids and get them to come up with creative cake decorating and topping ideas.
The glamourous cousins of muffins, cupcakes mainly differ from the former in terms of texture and icing. While muffins are almost bread-like, cupcakes have a more delicate, fluffy and creamy texture. Also, unlike muffins, cupcakes are always served with icing and toppings.
- Vibhuti Arora is a Dubai-based freelance writer
