Those tempting bite sized cupcakes get a spicy makeover. Baked by Melissa collaborated with Tabasco to offer a new flavor. When spicy meets sweet, the food experience leaves a lasting impression.
One of the biggest food trends in recent memory is swicy. That combination of sweet and spicy took over the conversation. From chicken to snacks to everything in between, people longed for the satisfying flavor combination.
In the dessert space, the combination of sweet and spicy can be slightly more subtle. While some chocolate brands have infused chili into their treats, the flavors tend to be more pepper forward.
The new Baked by Melissa and Tabasco collaboration is more about the amplifying the overall flavor of all the ingredients. Far from a dash of hot sauce as a condiment, the nuance and creativity in these cupcakes will make them an instant hit.
Speaking about this collaboration, Melissa Ben-Ishay, Co-Founder and CEO of Baked by Melissa said, “Our bite-size cupcakes are the perfect treat to celebrate all of life’s moments. We wanted to spice things up for Valentine’s Day, so we developed new flavors that nod to how opposites attract. Together with the most legendary hot sauce brand, we created a cupcake assortment perfect for gifting to anyone in your life who balances you—the spice to your sweet.”
The special offering is sold as a duo. First, the limited edition spicy cupcake combines the red velvet cake with a Tabasco Sauce infusion. It is then topped with a cream cheese and Tabasco Sauce icing, as well as a white chocolate brittle and sprinkles.
The idea of hot sauce and red velvet might not be the first thought, but the flavor works well. The underlying cocoa flavor gets a tanginess from the Tabasco. It is warm, inviting, and a little intriguing.
The cream cheese icing is a classic pairing for red velvet. The infusion of Tabasco helps to reinforce that flavor. The tanginess of the cream cheese with the vinegar notes of the hot sauce is a nice complement. Lastly, the white chocolate brings an extra sweetness. Sometimes, it is nice to end on a sweet note.
The spicy cupcake is paired with the rich Triple Chocolate Fudge cupcake. The combination of chocolate cake, Hershey’s Fudge filling and chocolate icing and chips makes for a decadent flavor. If these cupcakes were any bigger, they might be too indulgent.
It is smart that Baked by Melissa chose to infuse the Tabasco in a red velvet cupcake instead of the chocolate. Standing out with an unexpected pairing is what the food brand does best.
The Baked by Melissa and Tabasco mini cupcakes are available in both six and 25 packs. The 25 pack is available both online and in stores. The six-pack cupcakes are only available in stores.