When my editor suggested writing about cupcakes for my next blog, I had mixed reactions. I love cupcakes, but can I stretch my taste predilections into a blog? Once I started writing, I realized that cupcakes have a lot more value than being delicious. Their profitability is a trend that not only deserves credence, but also promotion.
I ate my first post childhood birthday party cupcake in Washington, DC. I went to college in the nation’s capital so I had the fortune of having the White House and Georgetown Cupcake within walking distance.
I arrived at the cupcake haven on off-peak hours, mid-afternoon on a Wednesday. Had more than a few people been in line, I may not have waited, which would have cost me my introduction to the world of trendy sweets. The cupcake I chose was dubbed Sunshine and that’s exactly how it tasted. For you literalists out there, no, it did not taste like the scorching 11000 degree flames of the sun. It was light, fluffy and melt in your mouth good. Three dollars for 30 seconds of bliss. I thought it was worth it. That is until I learned that another cupcake venue was located ten minutes closer to my dorm, Baked and Wired.
I was a quick convert to Baked and Wired. The convenience, cupcakes and coffee had me hooked. The cafe offered home-made granola and snack bars in addition to cupcakes and coffee. On most Saturday mornings my friend Diana and I sat on the stools in the back enjoying lattes and cupcakes (Mocha for her, Strawberry for me). The benefit of Baked and Wired, other than location, was the cupcakes had more value. They were bigger, denser and iced more heavily than those at Georgetown Cupcake. Mind you, this is just my personal preference. Many people flock to both cupcakeries. I just prefer a bit more baked good for my buck.
How do these baked goods relate to you? Consider all of the events that warrant these treats: store openings, non-profit luncheons, office parties and more! The variety of cupcakes is not limited to the amount of icing or cake density. Flavors range from red velvet to pumpkin spice so they suit the taste buds of everyone. These muffin-topped treats allow you to put a logo on the top, a prize in the middle and a design on the serving tray. Regardless of the event, end-users will leave feeling full and appreciated.
This market needs more than flour and eggs. T-shirts, napkins, hats and coffee mugs are just a few cupcake-friendly products. Another surprisingly necessary promotional item is stickers. Each box of cupcakes needs to be sealed and what better way to do it than with a logo-holding sticker?
Tap into this market and you and your taste buds will be happy.
