The History of Cupcakes

Today we are taking a look at the history behind everyone’s favorite dessert: cupcakes! These sweet treats first started popping up in 19^th century America. Amelia Simmons wrote about the concept in her 1796 cookbook, American Cookery. However, the term “cupcake” didn’t come into usage until 1828, when Eliza Leslie published her cookbook Receipts and included the first official recipe for cupcakes. The first store-bought cupcakes were introduced in 1919 by Hostess, who positioned them as “snack cakes.” Today, cupcakes are purchased in stores, ordered at bakeries, and made from scratch at home. They’re used to celebrate everything from children’s birthday parties to weddings, and the flavor combinations are seemingly endless!