photo by Flickr user theMaykazine
One of my favorite questions we ask in our cupcake interviews is "Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?" Well, here are some things we'd like to see:
1. Cupcake Bakeries at Airports
As someone who was stuck overnight at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport (my fault, but still), I sure could have used a cupcake! Plus, think about it - you're going to visit friends, family, or on business, and want to bring them a gift. Transporting cupcakes is a huge pain, but being able to pick some up at the airport? They'll love you! I could see a cupcake chain like Sprinkles or Crumbs doing this.
2. 24-Hour Cupcake Bakeries
This is self-explanatory. Sometimes you just really really need a cupcake...at 3 in the morning! I'm sure that in major cities a 24-hour cupcakery would go over quite well.
3. Cupcake Bars
As you know, everyone has different taste in cupcakes, as well as decorations. Some like a shmear of frosting, some like it piled high. Some want plain and simple, some want ultra-fancy. A do it yourself area of a bakery, like the cupcake bar at Love Café, where customers could frost and decorate their own cupcakes would be messy, sure, but fun for kids and adults alike.
Mad cow cupcake from Cupcake in Minneapolis
photo by Aaron Landry
4. Cupcake Delivery
We're starting to see more and more bakeries offer local delivery services, like Cupcake in Minneapolis and Saint Cupcake in Portland. It sounds so decadent to me, to just order cupcakes delivered to your home or office (or you friend's, parent's, child's, crush's, etc.).
5. More Mini Cupcakes
Yes, some places are hopping on the trend, and there are even all mini-cupcake companies, like Mini'sin Salt Lake City and Kumquat Cupcakery. But minis should be standard; even if you can't offer all your flavors, offer a few. They're extra cute, allow customers to sample more flavors, and just give people more options. They're my favorite size for a cupcake!
What about YOU? What would you like to see?
Apricot & Poppy Seed and Raspberries & Cream mini cupcakes from Kumquat Cupcakery
Comments
I have been getting my mini cupcakes from Crumbs since I have been going there, which is about 4 years. They also deliver via messenger.
And as for cupcakes at the airport, I know they're are people planning it. I worked at Teacake when it first opened, and one of her ambitions is to have stores in airports much like Starbucks. So maybe someday soon it will be a reality