Below is my first-ever video blog entry. I hope that you all find it to be an insightful look into how the French have tackled the fine art of the American cupcake. Enjoy!

So to recap:

• Size: Like most things in France (portion sizes, cars, waistlines), French cupcakes are smaller than most American cupcakes.
• Icing: Not only is there a smaller icing to cake ratio, but the texture of the icing is generally different. Par exemple: sometimes Synie's Cupcakes uses meringue icing to add a little crunch.
• Flavors: The French style cupcakes use richer, more potent flavors, like Rose, Lavender and Coffee, to appeal to the French palate.

If you still have an appetite for cupcakes, check out the below slideshow of photos from Synie's very own portfolio. 

Bon Appétit!

Everyone knows that France is the reigning queen of all things sweet. 

Crème brûlée, fondant au chocolat, macarons, crêpes, Madelleines …need I go on?

But recently, a new tasty treat is taking over the City of Lights, and it aint French (sacrebleu!).

As they have with the Big Mac, Coke Zero and Caramel Frappuccinos, the French have embraced yet another American “delicacy”: 
les cupcakes.

The cupcake craze first hit the United States with force about ten years ago, in part thanks to pop-culture phenomenons like Sex and the City, which made most women ages 18-50 think that it was acceptable (and trendy) to spend $2.75 on a cupcake. 

This is also the same show that made us all believe we could run around Manhattan in Manolo Blahniks and Prada on a writer’s salary. Right.*

* For the record, I’m a huge fan of the show and will even admit that yes, I saw both films. So I feel like I have the right to criticize, because I love Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha just as much as the next gal.

Needless to say, I was both excited and a bit surprised to find cupcake shops popping up all over Paris. 

Synie’s Cupcakes is one of them, and conveniently located down the street from my apartment in the 
6th arrondissement (bad news for my waistline, great news for my sweet tooth.)

Check out the below video for a good introduction to Synie and her shop -- for those of you who don't speak/understand French, feel free to jump to minute 4:40 for an icing demonstration that is understandable in all languages!

Well I hope you’re all hungry, because the next few posts will continue to revolve around the cupcake trend in Paris -- because honestly, who doesn't love sugar, icing and sprinkles?

For now, check out the below photos I took from Synie's Cupcakes to get your mouth watering.