Paper Palate

My cookbook club and mailing list subscriptions have recently alerted me to a crazy amount of cookbooks devoted entirely to cupcakes. Now, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth (I am more into salty/greasy things like onion rings), but all these books have covers that are simply amazing. I realized that I was judging books by their covers and decided to do a little research to see how much these cupcake cookbooks have to offer. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there for you cupcake devotees.

Crazy About Cupcakes was published about a month ago. According to the book’s description, it includes “nearly 300 awesome, mouthwatering ideas to choose from . . . whether they’re chocolaty, spicy, crunchy, fruity, or creamy, these exquisitely decorated treats look as astounding as they taste—perfect little temptations designed to make adults nostalgic and children happy.” The book includes basic techniques, themed cupcakes for holidays, kid cupcakes, ideas for bake sales and (supposedly) healthy cupcakes. There is even a cupcake reference chapter that includes charts and templates for making the perfect cupcake. This one seems perfect for a true cupcake enthusiast.

Cupcakes! was published in April 2005 and offers pictures that are simply stunning. The introduction includes all the information you need to know about the details of cupcake baking. Another chapter offers Head-Start Recipes, which includes two batter recipes, one frosting recipe and two sauce recipes that are used in different variations throughout the cookbook. Recipes include Date and Almond Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting, Lemon Angel Cupcakes, Butter Cake Cupcakes with Sticky Fudge Frosting, and Top to Bottom Crumb Cupcakes. The author also offers little personal stories about the origin of some of the recipes and hints and tips about their preparation and use. A list of the time required both for preparation and baking of the cupcakes is included for each recipe. Publisher’s Weekly found that the “recipes are easy to follow and produce excellent results.”

500 Cupcakes makes a pretty bold statement about its contents. It claims to be “The Only Cupcake Compendium You’ll Ever Need.” The cookbook description describes 500 Cupcakes as “a storehouse of recipes, written in clear instructions and appealingly packaged in bright, modern colors.” It is aimed at “bakers of all levels” by including information about ingredients, equipment, the baking process, transport and storage of cupcakes and how to get started baking them. Notably, there are over 200 pictures of cupcakes included, which is certainly a plus if you are trying to achieve a certain look in addition to a yummy flavor. The author tested all 500 recipes himself. Tough job, huh?

More from Magnolia is the newest cookbook from the famous Greenwich Village Magnolia Bakery’s owner Allysa Torey. According to Amazon.com, the tiny bakery offers cupcakes, cakes, pies, “and other pastries that are utterly unpretentious but deeply satisfying in a grandmother-would-have-made-it-if-she-could-have way.” Recipes include Pear Streusel Breakfast Buns, Pumpkin Walnut Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting, Chocolate Pecan Pudding Pie, and Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. The big treat for fans of the Magnolia bakery is that this cookbook also includes “recipes for signature specialties like Magnolia’s Chocolate Cupcakes and famous banana pudding, plus a section on frostings and sauces.” The cookbook includes 75 recipes that have been adapted so that they will work in a home oven rather than the commercial one used at the bakery. Booklist notes that the recipes are simple enough that they “rarely take up more than one page; directions are eminently understandable.” I am just glad to know that there is at least one cupcake cookbook out there without pink on the cover.