Cup cake or cupcake is a small cake that is often baked in a small, thin paper baking cup. Cupcakes are usually frosted with a sweet topping such as icing, buttercream or whipped cream and may be decorated with sprinkles, colored sugar or small decorations.

Cupcakes are typically eaten as a dessert, but they can also be served for breakfast or tea time. They are usually served unfrosted, although some varieties have icing on top.

Cupcakes date back to the 19th century in the United States and were originally known as “small cakes” before being called cupcakes. The term was popularized by Fannie Farmer’s 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.

The first printed reference to “cup cakes” appeared in an 1808 edition of American Cookery by Amelia Simmons; however, this recipe did not contain any type of flour and thus would not qualify as a true cupcake.

Last modified: November 20, 2022