Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Critique of overly complex cupcakes that have lost their joy.
In plain terms
Cupcakes should make people happy not feel heavy and condescending.
What can you take from it?
Keep comfort food simple and fun.

Where it applies

  • Baking sweets
  • Reviewing food
  • Designing menus

Putting it to work

  • Prioritize taste over technique
  • Avoid overcomplicating
  • Celebrate simplicity

Questions to consider

  • When does food lose its joy?
  • Should sweets stay simple?

Another view

Some argue complexity adds value to pastry art.

More from Alton Brown

  1. I know they say that man can't live on bread alone.. but this is one man who's willing to try.

    Permalink to quote #56
  2. This is called a peel; I call mine Emma.

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. Then we have a tablespoon of fish sauce, an ingredient I keep around for making pad thai or, well, any dish where you want a little flavor of cat food and athl…

    Permalink to quote #55

Related quotes

  1. The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink. So a group of the most eminent British scientists put their heads together, and made complic…

    George MikesGeorge Mikes quote #4
  2. Though we eat little flesh and drink no wine, Yet let's be merry: we'll have tea and toast; Custards for supper, and an endless host Of syllabubs and jellies a…

    Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley quote #39
  3. 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twi…

    Joseph BrackettJoseph Brackett quote #1