For anyone who’s ever had a sugar craving at a bad time — Sprinkles Cupcakes has a solution.
Beverly Hills shop owner Candace Nelson has invented a vending machine that dispenses her baked creations after store hours.
Nelson said she thought of the idea one night during her second pregnancy.
” I thought, ‘I’m the owner of a cupcake bakery and even I can’t get a cupcake in the middle of the night,’” she recalled.
“It’s high-tech. It’s really the wave of the future,” Nelson added. “It’s a robotic arm that finds your cupcake and delivers it to you. You can see it working behind the scene on our touch screen.”
Nelson stocks the machine with fresh selections every night.
“You don’t know how many times we sped down here to try to make it before the store closed,” frequent Sprinkles customer Karson Langenfelder said.
“I think it is a great idea,” added customer Patrick Swope. “You can never have too much access to your cupcakes.”
The individually boxed and dispensed cakes cost $4 each. Similar machines will be installed in New York this summer.
Interesting fact about cupcake:
An interesting fact about cupcakes is that they were originally known as “number cakes” or “1234 cakes,” because the traditional recipe called for one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, and four eggs—making them easy to remember and measure. This simple formula contributed to their popularity, especially among home bakers in the 19th century.
Another fascinating aspect of cupcakes is their innovative role in the baking industry. The early 2000s saw a significant boom in gourmet and specialty cupcake bakeries, largely thanks to shows like “Sex and the City,” which featured the iconic Magnolia Bakery in New York City. This trend helped transform cupcakes from a humble homemade treat into an artisanal dessert option, complete with creative flavors, intricate decorations, and premium pricing.
Cupcakes also offer a practical advantage: portion control. Unlike larger cakes, cupcakes allow for individual servings without the need for slicing, making them convenient for parties, events, and even as personal indulgences. Their single-serving size has made them popular not only at children’s birthday parties but also at weddings, where they provide guests with a charming and manageable dessert option.
Moreover, the artistry involved in decorating cupcakes has turned into a form of edible art. From simple frosting swirls to elaborate fondant creations, cupcake decorating has become a celebrated craft, with competitions and classes dedicated to perfecting the skill. This blend of creativity and confectionery delights continues to captivate both bakers and consumers alike.