The Cupcake Theory in Practice

It was one bleak day in London, whilst sitting at work thinking about my upcoming wedding that I stumbled across the idea. I always thought i'd be the type that would be a perfect 1940's replica wife, starting at around 4 yrs of age with a Fisher Price plastic microwave and kitchen pop-up, and graduating at 21 with a degree in Drama and some pretty extravagant cooking abilities. However, at 23 living with the fiancee and realising the one thing i couldnt do was bake led to my stepford wife-ness morphing into Desperate Housewife territory.

Apparently 'Choosing the right edible indulgence for oneself is linked to emotional well being, and is influenced by a random mood or a lingering memory of a specific taste and texture, a primordial craving, or a whimsical at-shelf impulse'. So what better thing to learn to bake than an edible version of a childhood memory, a favourite destination or a long lost relative. God, in my head i would win brownie (excuse the pun) points with so many of the future Hubbys business partners in years to come..

However, since i started this journey to learn to be the best cup-caker around, the phenomena has taken off, with these mini-size cakes becoming much more than an edible treat, but a fashion accessory. I mean who knew in an age when skinny celebrities govern the front pages of magazines, that cupcakes would be so huge even fragrances are being described as having a 'hint of cupcake'.

In theory, i think the actual reason I wanted to learn how to make yummy cupcakes was so i could be one of those success stories the glossies feature, of Women that bake at home in their 'spare' time, and then one magical day walk out of their office role, buy a shop and make a million just with some flour and artistic ability...in that order..

Some of us can dream...


Now with the launch of new cupcake inspired cook-books such as The Hummingbird Bakery's edition, i am again fired up to master every recipe in the book and create spare time masterpieces. I will ignore the fact my friends think i'm partially insane for spending any spare time cooking and ultimately making a mess just to then bring in the remains of my project to the office the next day, as I, of course, cant eat them as i'm on a diet. I think this may be why i need some sort of therapy...

Sad thing is, when asked how i can be bothered to get home at 7pm and bake, i lie and instead of admitting my master plan - say 'I find it very theraputic...'