The name “cupcake” has its origins in the early 19th century when cakes were measured by volume rather than weight. This naming convention was directly tied to the recipe's simplicity and the ease with which ingredients could be measured.
Originally, cupcakes were called “1234 cakes” because the recipe was based on a straightforward ratio: 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of flour, and 4 eggs. This proportional approach made it easy for bakers to remember and recreate the recipe without needing precise measurements. The simplicity of the formula meant that even novice bakers could make a delicious cake with minimal effort.
The term “cupcake” eventually emerged as a natural evolution of the “1234 cake” name. In the 1820s, when recipes began to be published in cookbooks, the term “cupcake” started being used to describe these small, individual cakes. The name reflects both the measurement method and the use of individual cups or molds for baking, which helped in portioning out the batter and creating uniformly sized cakes.
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