Sprinkles: The colors of happiness
Sprinkles are my obsession! The colorful very small pieces of confectionery used as a decoration or to add texture to desserts such as cupcakes, doughnuts or ice cream, and they make me happy.
They add that special "bling" to any dessert to make it a festive occasion. I refer to myself as the "sprinkle fairy" instead of fairy dust, I have sprinkles!
Folk lore that surrounds the sprinkles or jimmies. Some believe the rainbow sprinkles are " made from hopes, dreams and unicorn farts. " (source: Food Republic) White crystal sugar/sprinkles are gifts from the Angels.
Here is the history of the sprinkle, yes I researched their history. Sprinkles or jimmies, "the origin of the name "jimmies" is first documented in 1930, as a topping for cake. Though the Just Born Candy Company of Bethlehem, PA claims to have invented jimmies and named them after an employee, this is unlikely." (source: Wikipedia). They continue on to say, " Nonpareils, confetti, silver, gold, and pearl dragées – not to be confused with pearl sugar (which is also sprinkled on baked goods) – and hundreds-and-thousands are all used this way, along with a newer product called "sugar shapes" or "sequins". These latter come in a variety of shapes, often flavored, for holidays or themes, such as Halloween witches and pumpkins, or flowers and dinosaurs. Candy cane shapes may taste like peppermint, and gingerbread men like gingerbread cookies. "
Sprinkles are generally make of sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and an emulsifier are combined into a doughy paste and pushed through an extruder with very small holes. The sprinkle “noodles” fall onto a vibrating conveyor belt, which breaks them up into the right range of sizes. Once the sprinkles are properly formed, they’re still very soft. To harden them up, they get a spray-coat of color, then a coat of sugar glaze to make them shiny and durable. (source: Food Republic)
To me the word sprinkles covers everything and all types, shapes and sizes. I find myself stalking the stores for a sale on the colorful confections and buying them just after the holidays for my 'seasonal collection'. I have reached this point in my baking repertoire, that I have a "seasonal collection" of sprinkles. I believe the next step is sprinkles anonymous.
My sprinkle cabinet started off innocent enough with just a few reserved to decorate the holiday cookies. Then I found myself needing more space and I expanded to the second (secret) cabinet. I refer to it as my secret cabinet, because my family and friends started to realize that maybe I had a problem. How does one ever have too many sprinkles? To me, that's like having too many smiles. There's always room for more.
I also have favorite stores to comb looking for new and sparkly sprinkles. Home Goods is my happy place and we (yes I have a partner in crime that helps with my obsession) have a special Tuesday shopping spree to look for new sprinkles and sniff candles. That's an entirely different blog, how the smell of new candles can elevate stress and change your mind set. (I prefer creative and not crazy, thank you)
Wilton Cake Decorating is a great company that has interesting sprinkles for all occasions. They always have bright and easy to follow instructions on how to create a master piece with little effort. Having a pair of long nosed tweezers will help place special sprinkles (holly leaves, berry, etc) in the perfect spot on your frosting.
During the Summer months, I like a parfait of non-fat yogurt, layered with fresh strawberries and granola. It isn't perfect until sprinkles are showered down upon this healthy lunch. Somehow adding the sprinkles takes it from a calorie restricted lunch to a party for one. Sprinkles add happiness and child-like joy.
Creating holiday gifts and sharing my sprinkle joy with others has been my tradition for the last 35 years. My friends, family, the butcher, the mailman, etc, all look forward to the holidays and my cookie trays. They have assorted cookies that are kissed with colorful sprinkles. How can you not look at the sprinkles and not smile?
Williams-Sonomia has seasonal sprinkle kits that are adorable. It's obvious that I'm not the only person who is obsessed with these colorful candies.
This is my Spring Deco Kit that I purchased from Williams-Sonoma.
They also list the nutrition facts on the back of the box which justifies that sprinkles are a better choice then a candy bar. The candy bunnies have 60 calories for 17 pieces and the chocolaty sixlets candy balls (upper left, only a few left) have 70 calories for 18 pieces. I believe the others that were in that compartment may have found their way on top of an ice cream sundae.
Marshalls is also an excellent source of sprinkles. Who knew right? They have a great section for baking/decorating and I was able to get the holly leaves (pictured) for $2.99 for the bottle. That's a lot of candy leaves and will go far during the holiday season. These will top cookies, cupcakes, cakes, my holiday log roll, even my homemade dog cookies.
Don't get me wrong, this sprinkle fairy works within a budget and I'm always on the look out for a great sale. If you wait until after the holiday, the expensive sprinkles will go on clearance and you can save them for the following year or when ever you need them.
This was an amazing find and I can use them as is or pick out the sparkles as needed. This is 13.17oz of sprinkles for $4.00. That's a great deal with it comes in a heavy glass jar that is sealed tightly. I purchased these after Hanukkah and they will stay for a long time.
Let me confirm your suspicion, yes I have more sprinkles then I could ever use, yet I can't stop buying them. My collection has grown into it's 3rd cabinet and my secret stash is not so secret anymore. I've received fun and colorful sprinkles for Christmas this year from my family and friends and can't wait to create something yummy with them.
Let's share the cheer and make sprinkles a part of everyone's life. Maybe, just maybe, we can get them to say...."some sprinkles each day, keeps the doctor away?"
Sending sprinkle love from the Sprinkle Fairy!