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You don’t have to look very far to see that cupcakes are a serious trend in America. From the opening of the L.A. based cupcakes-only shop, Sprinkles, to reality TV shows like Cupcake Wars to Carrie Bradshaw snacking on a cupcake in HBO’s “Sex and the City”, it seems everyone can’t get enough of the miniature dessert. But why all of a sudden? Beyond the red-carpet glamour and infinite sampling and flavor options, cupcakes may have some psychology behind them that brings sense to their nationwide craze.

Cupcakes Are an Affordable Luxury

The cupcake trend exploded in 2008-2009, the same time America faced the biggest economic crash since 1929. Treating ourselves wasn’t really an option anymore for most. Even those getting married during this time had to find ways to cut costs and scale down. Cupcakes offered an affordable alternative. Engaged couples turned to cupcakes instead of elaborate, expensive cakes because they can still “wow” guests with unique flavors, adordable decorations, and accessories like designer baking cups. Now that the economy has improved, many couples still choose cupcakes for their big day. But they aren’t only for special occasions. Cupcakes allow access to the same emotion tied to life’s special experiences only in a scaled-down, far less expensive version we can enjoy on any given day.

Cupcakes Are a Feel Good Treat

Cupcakes are basically little hugs in a cup. They make you feel good, even if you’re having a bad day. Once you start peeling back the pretty, designer baking cup and tasting the frosting, it is near impossible to focus on any stresses and bad experiences you were caught up in earlier. Cupcakes offer a break from the world, and are a gateway to just enjoy the delicious flavors. As customers stand in line for a treat from a specialty cupcake shop, it surfaces the same giddinss as hearing the ice cream truck’s melody coming ‘round the corner. Cupcakes offer an escape from any troubling thing happening in our lives, even for just a moment.

Cupcakes Embody the American Dream

Ever wonder why reality shows like Cupcake Wars and DC Cupcakes, a show starring two sisters in Washington DC, became so popular? They offer us a glimpse of the American dream. The cupcake movement represents the ultimate way to take a bite out of the entrepreneurial slice. When people watch these reality shows, they think, “I can do that too!” Most people already have the supplies and basic skills it takes to bake cupcakes, and the extra accessories like baking cups aren’t expensive. Cupcakes offer the very real opportunity to start a business you love, even when it may not have seemed possible before.

Can cupcakes make dreams come true? Why not let your customers find out for themselves! The cupcake trend is still going strong and you can set yourself apart from the other specialty cupcake shops in your area by decorating your product with the designer baking cups from MrTakeOutBags.com.

It seems second nature to dash to the stores every February to purchase that chocolate filled, heart-shaped box, but how did it become a staple of Valentine’s Day? Below we break down the history behind the Day of Love, and how chocolate became a part of it.

The Story behind Valentine’s Day

The day we now call Valentine’s Day is named after a Christian martyr, but it also has origins in the Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia. The Christian Church recognizes three St. Valentines. One of them was imprisoned for marrying couples in secret during a marriage ban in Roman times. As a way to Christianize the Lupercalia festival and honor the soft-hearted Saint, Pope Gelasius named February 14^th St. Valentine’s Day. In fourteenth century Europe, February 14^th was believed to be the beginning of birds’ mating season and added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance. In eighteenth century England, exchanging love notes became a tradition on Valentine’s Day and eventually made its way to America.

Chocolate–A Long History as a Love Food

The passion for chocolate has roots in Mesoamerican history. Among the Mayan and Aztecs, cacao beans were considered gold, and their sacred drinking chocolate was known as “the food of the gods.” Chocolate houses began to open in Europe in the 1600s where chocolate was advertised as a cure-all for many diseases. The Victorian era is when Valentine’s Day really began to take off. Victorians adored courtship and showered their loved ones with flowers, gifts, and love notes. In the late 1800s, Richard Cadbury, a British chocolate manufacturer, created the first “eating chocolates” and packaged them in lovely heart-shaped candy boxes adorned with roses and cupids.

Why We Give Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

The commercialization of Valentine’s Day chocolate gained popularity in America in the early 1900s. Milton Hershey, a caramel maker, began covering his caramels with chocolate and launched his bite-sized “kisses” in 1907. Russell Stover started selling his chocolates in heart-shaped boxes in the 1920s to department stores. But commercialism isn’t the only reason we see chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Chocolate has a famous reputation for being an aphrodisiac. Studies have concluded that chocolate contains a substance that mimics the endorphin Phenylethylamine, a chemical found in the brain that is produced when we are in love. Not only does chocolate taste amazing, but it actually has many health benefits as well. Raw cacao is a superfood and contains 20 times more antioxidants than blueberries and acai berries. The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which trigger relaxation. Giving a box of chocolates may seem like a cliché, but if you want something truly romantic this February 14^th, look no further than the mood-boosting bliss of chocolate. And don’t forget the wine!

To keep the romantic tradition going, offer an assortment candy boxes with  inserts from MrTakeOutBags.com in your restaurant or store this Valentine’s Day.

The wedding cake is a creative way to make a major statement on that special day and these bakers from around the world were up to the challenge. Here’s to a sweet celebration of wedded bliss!

A Cake of Life-Size Proportions

One bride in Texas made headlines when she had a wedding cake made of a six-layered life-size replica of herself in her wedding dress. In celebration of renewed vows with her husband of ten years, the unique cake put the happy couple in the international spotlight. Even sweeter, she had her husband’s full support when she thought of the unusual design. Now that’s true love.

Art Imitates Cake

Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous painting “Starry Night,” this four-tiered wedding cake is a French Post-Impressionism masterpiece of the dessert variety. Baking virtuoso Jan Kish of La Petite Fleur hand-painted the icing and installed inlaid Christmas lights to light up the iconic night sky. Made with fondant and crystallized sugar detailing, it is one sweet piece of art.

Biggest Wedding Cake in the World

When it comes to love, some couples have to go big, and the bakers at Mohegan Sun Casino answered their call. In 2004, they revealed a 15,032 pound, six-tiered wedding cake at a bridal showcase in Connecticut. It also made the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest wedding cake in the world.

Cakes of the Rich and Famous

For the super elite, a wedding is the perfect opportunity to not only express love and commitment but also to flaunt some serious status. When Donald Trump married supermodel Melania Knauss in 2005, he impressed his guests with a seven-tiered, five-foot high, 200-pound wedding cake made with 3,000 white icing roses made of Grand Marnier buttercream.

Revenge of the Nerds: The Cake Edition

If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, you’ll appreciate the artistry and attention to detail in this one-of-a-kind hobbit-inspired wedding cake. Created by the bakers at Tiffany’s Baking Company in North Carolina, they used fondant and buttercream icing to create a confection full of gnomes, fairies, and other embellishments from the beloved Middle Earth woodland in the Shire.

Cake C’est Magnifique

For Francophiles getting hitched, this glorious confection takes the cake with its Eiffel Tower sculpture made with black fondant and hand painted details of famous streets in Paris, the romance capital in the world. The hand-painted depictions of the Arc de Triomphe, River Seine, and Notre Dame Cathedral are almost too beautiful to eat.

Since 1988, MrTakeOutBags.com has been helping bakers present a professional, polished display of wedding cakes with high quality cake boards. With grease protectant coating and various sizes, colors, and styles, pastry chefs can proudly show off their sugary masterpiece for everyone’s delight.

According to historian and deli scholar Ted Merwin, the first American deli can be traced back to Katz’s, which opened in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1888. Since then, delis all over the country have been an integral part of Jewish American culture. If you’re in the mood to nosh on matzo ball soup, pastrami on rye, or brisket, then head to these 5 historic delis:

1. Fourth St. Delicatessen, Philadelphia

Established in 1923, this Philly tradition has been in the family since the beginning. It had its moment in the spotlight when the classic deli was featured in the films “Philadelphia” and “In Her Shoes,” but the sandwiches are the real stars of the show since they feature a pound of meat each.

2. Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Chicago

Since it opened in 1942, Manny’s has been a go-to for Jewish deli fare, thanks to generations of expertise handed down by Charlie and Jack Ruskin, Russian-born brothers who learned everything from their mother’s kitchen. After WWII, Jack took it over and renamed it Manny’s. In 2008, it made headlines when then President-elect Barack Obama ordered a few corned beef sandwiches and cherry pies, a classic Chicago deli lunch order.

3. 2^nd Ave. Deli, New York City

This kosher deli boasts the best pastrami sandwich in Manhattan, and considering that they’ve been making them since 1954, you could say they are the experts in deli food. Uncle Abe, the famous proprietor, started the deli from the money he made as a counter boy in Coney Island. Although the original deli closed down in 2006 over a dispute with the landlord, it reopened at 162 East 33^rd Street and also at 1442 First Avenue under the management of his nephews Jeremy and Josh. Uncle Abe would be so proud. Now, pass the latkes.

4. Tommy’s Joynt, San Francisco

San Francisco may have changed dramatically over the years, but the Original Tommy’s Joynt has stayed exactly the same since it opened in 1947, thanks to owners who stubbornly honor tradition. Like many of the original Jewish delis on the East Coast, you can expect a cozy, no frills spot with a predictable menu that would rival any grandmother’s kitchen. Situated on the corner of Van Ness and Geary, get ready for traditional deli food in the heart of Fog City.

5. Katz’s Deli, New York City

Since it opened in 1888, Katz’s Deli has been a Lower East Side institution and model for all others to follow, especially since it’s considered the first Jewish deli in America. This famous deli has a lengthy menu of all the classics, so come hungry and don’t be turned off by the line. It goes fast and the wait is worth it.

In the spirit of bubbes (grandparents) and their legendary comfort food, here’s to a glorious American institution.

Enhance your customer’s experience at your deli by serving your food on top of basket liners or package food in to-go containers like our DELItainers. Mr.Takeoutbags.com is the top choice for high quality takeout food service packaging.