Fifty Shades of (Vegan) Cupcakes

Hmm, what's my favourite food - above EVERYTHING?

Cupcakes.

Yep, that's right, cupcakes - a bite-sized piece of heaven. They can come in different shapes and sizes but are always perfect. I love baking them as well as eating them - though I usually give most of them away to friends and family.

I've never met a person that's said no to a cupcake. If I ever do, I reckon I'd faint from disbelief.

Image Credit: Renée Shearer

Cupcakes were first invented in 1796. They were known as 1234 cakes. 1234 referred to the measurement of ingredients - 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of flour and 4 eggs - and were baked in a cup.

Obviously, things have changed quite a bit. It wasn't until 1919 when the name "cupcake" was used. Cupcakes remain popular for many reasons. They are convenient, quicker to bake, easier to package and can be made into different shapes with the use of special tins or silicone moulds.

Image Credit: Renée Shearer

You can never go wrong with a cupcake. Besides being insanely delicious, cupcakes can be made for any occasion - Christmas, weddings or Easter to name a few. They also make a perfect gift for friends that are difficult to buy for and are handy in bake sales. Kids seem to love them, too. With the holidays fast approaching, cupcakes would make an excellent gift for your loved one also.

Image Credit: Renée Shearer.

If I could only ever buy cupcakes from one place again, that would have to be the Mad Hatter Cupcakery, run by Jessica. Jess has gone beyond her call of duty to create wonderfully enticing vegan and gluten free cupcakes. It's the place to go if you're interested in trying the new flavours she creates - like vanilla soy chai latte or salted caramel popcorn. My favourite so far is the cola and butterscotch, but there are many more that I'd like to try.

I am always impressed by Jess' new creations, how she can turn a cupcake into a work of art. And the fact that she tries to accomodate for all needs with dairy, egg and gluten free cupcakes.

You can find Jess at Glebe markets every Saturday.You can also find her on facebook and at her blog. She also just opened her own patisserie on Flinders Street in Darlinghurst!

Image Credit: Jess from Mad Hatter Cupcakery.

I swear, i own more cupcake cookbooks than regular cookbooks. These make great gifts, too, for any occasion.