Lots of Cupcakes vs. Subway: One woman’s journey I’ve been

Lots of Cupcakes vs. Subway: One woman’s journey


I’ve been doing far too much of this lately: taking dozens, even hundreds, of cupcakes to the limits of public transportation. Because I don’t really have a car (“really” as in my man has a car but I’m terrified to drive it in NYC, after nearly a decade of city living without one I figure why give in), I’ve all too often faced the challenge of; 100+ cupcakes, a few pounds of frosting and traveling over a borough or two via subway and bus. I think I have a method now, and I give it unto you.

1. Carefully place completely cooled, unfrosted cupcakes in either 1gallon zip-top plastic bags (don’t pack them in, give them some room…5-6 regular sized cupcakes or about 10 mini-cupcakes to a bag) or layer them in shoe-type cardboard or plastic boxes.

2. If doing the layering thing, separate each layer with a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. I don’t recommend plastic wrap because it doesn’t allow the cupcake to “breath” and can result sometime in soggy or weepy cupcakes.

3. Pack frosting in either those disposable, light-weight plastic lunch containers (the clear kind with blue lids), or more of those 1 gallon zip-top bags.

4. It’s helpful to bring along the following since you’re going to be frosting “on-site”: frosting spreaders/spatulas, disposable piping bags, piping tips, a few rubber spatulas for mixing/handling frosting, paper towels, an apron to keep your pretty cupcake-party clothes frosting-free, sprinkles and toppings of course, small pair of scissors for snipping disposable piping bags, and any kind of light-weight plastic serving trays you might need if nothing is going to be available.

5. Those huge paper shopping bags with handles (from almost any department store) are your best friends for lugging around all this stuff. Pack in the following order: cupcakes, frosting, other equipment. Double bag it when things get really heavy.

6. For best results only attempt lugging hundreds of cupcakes on the train when you’re feeling really healthy and in good spirits. Okay, I’ve done it sick and angry and I’ve survived but just sayin’...

Come to think of it hauling cupcakes around by foot is a lot like going hiking. Think of ways to shave down any excess weight you might be carrying. Leave the metal pans at home in favor of plastic bags (I usually try and save as many bags as I can and re-use afterwards). Maybe it’s not quite the same as backpacking on the Adirondack trail but a little extra prep it can save you a lot of grief.