June 13 is National Cupcake Lover’s Day. The perfect cupcake is simply divine, and Cupcake Lover’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge.
For a while, cupcake shops were popping up on all over. With the cute names, these specialized cupcake bakeries were at the height of popularity. Although the saturation of cupcake bakeries has decreased, cupcakes are still and will always be a popular dessert and treat. But, what makes a perfect cupcake? Everyone can debate cupcake recipes. Everyone probably thinks their grandma or dad has the best recipe for making a perfect cupcake. Instead of comparing recipes, what goes into making the “perfect cupcake?”
The first consideration really should be the icing to cake ratio. You should have a bite of icing with every bite of cake. Too little icing makes you feel like you’re eating crumbly sawdust and too much icing is a sticky sugar overload. Unfortunately, there is no clear mathematically formula (2 inches of cake to 1 inch of icing). Some people go so far as to turn a cupcake into a cupcake sandwich to enhance the icing to cake ratio. But, that changes it from a cupcake to a whoopie pie.
Another factor to consider is the icing, itself. Buttercream versus whipped cream versus ganache versus some other sweet topping is a debate that has no definitive answer. Everyone has their preference. But, the icing must work with the cake. For example, would you want strawberry butter cream icing on a salted caramel cake? Not so much. But, a strawberry butter cream icing could be delightful on a lemon chiffon cake. The flavor combinations need to complement each other, not overpower or fight each other.
Mmm, debating the perfect cupcake qualities creates a craving for cupcakes. Cupcake Lover’s Day is a perfect reason to enjoy a cupcake (or a couple). While not every cupcake bakery or store will be celebrating this holiday, some establishments will be, so look for the ones in your neighborhood and get your cupcake ON!
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