Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Baking: Shares in cake frosting go cold

 

Simon Usborne
Thursday 18 April 2013 18:45 BST
Comments
The reign of the cupcake may be at an end
The reign of the cupcake may be at an end (Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

In great news for patisserie purists and weight watchers everywhere (but a potential catastrophe for fans of icing): the cult of the cupcake may at last be coming to an end.

The Wall Street Journal reports the market for the over-iced confections is crashing, gold-like, as Americans invest in alternative artery-clogging treats.Stock in Crumbs, one of dozens of US cupcake chains, has collapsed from a high in 2011 of $13 (£8.50) a share to just $1.70, as analysts call time on a frosted phenomenon.

The trend swept America in the early 2000s after Carrie et al poked down cakes from Magnolia Bakery, another chain, in the hit comedy series, Sex and the City.

In Britain, where cupcakes meant sponge pellets smeared with icing you could see through, we devoured the fancy imports, and home-baked companies rose to meet demand. There aren’t signs of a crash yet here, but when America burps we tend to get tummy ache (or something) so we suggest a new trend: actual cake.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in