November 10th is National Vanilla Cupcake Day!

Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? A small, portion-controlled sugary treat to indulge in. The classic vanilla cupcake is the most popular of all the cupcakes, but do you know the history behind them? In 1776, the cupcake originated as “a light cake baked in a small cup.”[1] The term ‘cup cake’ came from how it was measured out and later evolved into ‘cupcake’.

Cupcakes were baked in teacups and ramekins before the invention of small muffin tins. It wasn’t until the 1920s that vanilla and chocolate icing were used to decorate the cupcakes.[2] Cupcakes have come a long way, with Food Channel competitions like Cupcake Wars that highlight the creativity and variety of different tastes and styles of cupcakes. In fact, wedding cakes have even been replaced with cupcake towers for a modern twist.

With all the exotic flavors and styles, vanilla cupcakes remain a tried and true favorite. There are many recipes that can be found; one of our favorites comes from comedienne and lifestyle guru Amy Sedaris. They were tasty enough to earn a coveted spot in 2006 as “Second Best in the city by New York Magazine” and are delightfully delicious!

Any day is a good day to start becoming a baking pro – why not Vanilla Cupcake Day?

The world of International Baking and Pastry is, of course, a lot bigger than vanilla cupcakes.  If you’ve got a love for great desserts and want to get paid for doing something you really enjoy, why not start on your way to becoming a professional baker or pastry chef?  Lincoln Culinary Institute in Shelton, CT offers a hands-on baking and pastry training program that can help you build the skills you need for a career you love.  You can take the skills you learn at Lincoln and pursue positions after graduation that add incredible flavor – not to mention style – to the meals served at a wide range of eateries.

This holiday season, you’re likely to encounter dozens of breads, cookies, cakes, pies and more – all of which started with a culinary professional’s touch. Start training to become one of those professionals at Lincoln Culinary Institute!

1 http://www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com/Blog/post/cupcake-fun-facts.aspx

2 http://bestfriendsforfrosting.com/2011/10/cupcake-book-report-the-history-of-cupcakes/