December 15 is widely recognized as Cupcake Day in the USA, celebrating single portion cakes with icing. The varieties of cake, frosting and extra toppings are endless.
The “cupcake” in the USA first appeared in Amelia Simmons' "American Cookery" in 1796. Widely considered America’s first cookbook, the collection of recipes included a small cake baked in cups.
The term "cupcake" first appeared in Eliza Leslie's cookbook, "Seventy-Five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats" in1828.
Originally, these cakes were baked in teacups or small ramekins before the invention of muffin tins. The name was derived from the practice of measuring ingredients by cups rather than weights.