Sceptical about the Israeli cupcake trend

July 10, 2009 - 1:41 PM by David · 7 Comments
Filed under: Business, Food, General, Israeliness

There’s plenty of sweet treats to eat in Israel – and I still haven’t tasted anything better than a chocolate rogalach from Marzipan. But over the years, I have missed some of the American baked delicacies I grew up with – like donughts, muffins and cupcakes.

Dunkin’ Donuts failed miserably here (small donughts – large prices), and the Israeli versions which are available are just too doughy (and never mind comparing the Hanukkah sufganiyot – a totally different creature).

There are a few places you can get muffins – like Holy Bagel – but they’re took cakey and bland, compared to the blueberry muffins of Maine.

And cupcakes? I don’t think I’ve seen one anywhere. So it was suprising to read yesterday in our parent site ISRAEL21c about a number of cupcake options including the ‘I Love Cupcakes’ bakery and the Tel Aviv Cupcake Co. and Cupcakes, another Tel Aviv bakery.

While the Tel Aviv Cupcake Co. has the traditional flavors, it also boasts uniquely Israeli creations like Crembo, halva, and carrot-flavored cupcakes.

“Most Israelis think that a cupcake is like a muffin,” I Love Cupcakes owner Haylie Rabie told The Jerusalem Post. “The challenge we face is to educate the masses.”

I’m willing to give these cupcake establishments the benefit of the doubt – and hope that they’ll resemble the rich, frosted cupcakes of my youth.. But I’m still waiting to find a good blueberry muffin.

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