Cupcake

A cupcake is a small, individual cake, often baked in a thin paper or aluminum cup. It is typically made from common baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and leavening agents, then baked and frequently decorated with frosting.

When listed as an ingredient, 'cupcake' typically refers to pieces or crumbles of baked cupcakes added to other food products. These pieces provide flavor, texture, and bulk, commonly found in desserts like ice cream, milkshakes, or dessert bars to add a cake-like element.

Cupcakes are composite foods made from multiple ingredients, including flour, sugar, fats, and eggs. As such, they are not regulated as a single food additive by the FDA. Typical cupcakes are often high in calories, added sugars, and saturated fats. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of daily calories and recommend no specific amount of added sugars. Consuming foods high in added sugars and saturated fats in excess can contribute to health concerns. JECFA and EFSA evaluate individual food additives and ingredients, not composite foods like cupcakes.