Cupcake craze making its way to Dickinson

• Nelsons

Crystal and Wade Nelson stand in the family kitchen in Dickinson on Aug. 27.

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Many people are picking cupcake “cakes” over sheet cakes for their celebrations and a local woman has been using her talent to create the delectable treats.

Dan’s SuperMarket Bakery is selling more cupcakes than usual for weddings and birthday parties, employee Lola Hushka said.

“They are more convenient and easier,” she said. “They get the cupcake and peel it. It’s just so much easier than having a knife to cut a cake. They just don’t want the hassle.”

Crystal Nelson makes novel cupcakes and baked goods from her kitchen in Dickinson and has also been asked to provide the treats for weddings.

Nelson’s cupcakes are named according to their flavors, such as Pink Lemonade, Root Beer Floats and Key Lime.

“I’ve been cooking cakes for a couple of years now, and it’s something I really enjoy doing,” she said. “It’s really art — art to eat.”

Calling her business “Wild Sugar Confections,” Nelson markets her cupcakes, brownies and cakes at the farmers’ markets on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings in Dickinson.

Nelson is getting orders from farmers’ market customers for baby and bridal showers.

“Cupcakes are popping up everywhere — there’s more and more blogs dedicated to cupcakes,” she said.

Catering businesses are also seeing an increase in cupcakes. Lady J’s Club and Catering, Inc., Dickinson, makes cupcake stands for weddings. The stand is put together in tears like a traditional wedding cake except it uses cupcakes.

“It’s getting more popular,” Lady J’s Manager Donna Arnold said. “I think it’s easier.”

Nelson said she likes to take her time — baking four dozen cupcakes the afternoon before a farmers’ market.

“Typically, I like to sell things fresh, just made yesterday,” she said.

She also makes brownies and chocolate – dipped pretzels for the sales.

“They’re fun, kids love those,” she said.

Nelson and her husband, Chuck, recently moved to Dickinson from Idaho. Chuck moved in November and she and the children joined him five months ago. They are the parents of three: Wade, 5; Wes, who will be 2 on Friday, and their daughter, Whitley, who is about 5 months old.

Nelson had worked as a paralegal, but decided to stay at home with the children until they are older. Her husband works for Trotter’s Construction in the oilfields.

Nelson took cooking classes in junior high and high school, but mostly, is self-taught.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, not just baking but cooking,” she said.

The cupcake recipes come from everywhere — family, friends and the Internet.

“I’m always adjusting and trying new stuff, she said. “I just started a new one — cupcakes with cayenne pepper in them. It’s fun to come up with something out of the ordinary and put it into cupcakes.”

Since moving to Dickinson, Nelson has had to make adjustments to the recipes because of the altitude.

She starts with a basic recipe, but creativity takes over.

“If I can imagine it, I will try it,” she said.

The frosting is made from scratch, and the leftovers are mixed with the new batches.

The decorations are Nelson’s favorite part.

“My motto is the cake is just the vehicle for the frosting — most of the flavor comes from the frosting,” she said.

With her son’s birthday around the corner, Nelson is trying to imagine what kind of cake to make. In keeping with her style, it’s certain to be original and festive.

The next farmers’ market is Tuesday in the Awty parking lot on east Highway 10. Sales start at 10 a.m.

Tags: farmers' market, crystal nelson, lifestyle, community, baking, food