Baked by Melissa Offers New York a Sweet, Recession-Friendly Snack

When my MSN homepage popped up this morning, I got a brief chuckle out of the featured article. The title "You'll Know the Recession's Over When: The Cupcake Index & More Ways to Tell if the Economy is Reviving" was emblazoned across a chart, with a plump, pink-frosted cupcake standing idly by.

The article was the first one I've seen in a while not stating the obvious: that the world is in turmoil right now; that people are stressed; that we shouldn't hope that things will get better any time soon. According to MSN Money writer, Elizabeth Strott, one of the five indicators that the economy is getting better is:

Little Splurges Are Back in Style.

Strott sat down and talked Steve Abrams, owner of New York City's Magnolia Bakery, who said that his multiple bakeries and their delicious cupcakes seem to be recession proof.

"What we were seeing, interestingly enough, is from September through December every time the market got worse, we got busier. So I think there was a lot of self medicating going on with comfort food."

The article left me feeling a little lighter and craving cupcakes, which only intensified when I found out about New York City's latest cupcake craze. Melissa Bushell, 25, was laid off last year from what she described to the New York Times as a boring job in advertising. So what did she do? She began to bake. What emerged was her custom cupcake business, Baked By Melissa.

So what's different about these cupcakes and what do they have to do with a recession? These cupcakes are miniature, about the size of a quarter, but stuffed to create an extra flavorful punch for dessert lovers. Melissa states on her website that the stuffed cupcakes allow consumers to "taste more flavors, without the post dessert guilt trip." And what flavors she has!

Cookie Dough, Red Velvet, Cookies & Cream, S'mores, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter Cup and the colorful Tie-Die. Each one is colorful, stuffed and topped with the perfect amount of icing.

What about the recession? They only cost a dollar. While people expecting a full size cupcake may be disappointed, Melissa's mini-cupcakes would be the perfect dessert for small gatherings or parties. The minimum order is 100 cupcakes, which retail for 90 cents each. An added plus? For you lucky people living in Manhattan, she delivers.

If this is a sign that the recession is ending, bring on the sweetness.

If you live in New York City, you can find Melissa at Café Bari, 529 Broadway at the pick-up window on Spring between Mercer & Broadway. The shop is open from 11 AM to 8 PM Daily.

Elizabeth Strott, 5 Signs of the Recession's End, MSN Money

Florence Fabricant, One Cupcake, One Mouthful, The New York Times

Baked By Melissa Official Website

Stacie Joy, Baked By Melissa, Take Two, Cupcakes Take the Cake.blogspot