My friend is having 24 kids and 50 adults to her son's 1st birthday party.  She had wanted a cake, a smash cake and cupcakes with a monster theme.  I suggested cupcakes and a smash cake and her reaction was "my in-laws are not going to want to eat cupcakes.  They will want cake."  Are cupcakes a kid thing?  Last I looked Georgetown Cupcake did a booming business on adults.

I am going with her wishes, though, and making 24 monster cupcakes and a large monster cake for 50 people.  If I have leftover batter I will add the smash cake as a surprise.

Do adults not eat monster cupcakes?  It's a 1st b-day party, after all.

Maybe she thinks cupcakes will be too messy for adults, or that they will have to use their hands instead of a fork??  I don't know.  Just a guess.

Liz

Liz, I bet that's why, they want to not be messy.  Good thoughts!

AI'd much rather have a slice of cake than a cupcake! Maybe they are just traditional?

ACake usully has a filling and are less dry. Cake for me!

AFor some reason, folks just love the idea of a birthday cake to cut for everyone, and to have for photos.

AIt could also be a generational thing as the inlaws are grandparents. Honestly I cant picture my grandmother eating a cupcake. Some people don't know that cupcakes have come a long way from being a "child's treat".

74 people invited to a first birthday party? Wow.

Yes, they are Italian.  She's spending a small fortune.  They had about 200 at the Christening and 300 (invited 350) at the wedding.  I made her wedding cookie favors...

I love cupcakes and prefer them...I think older people just like more traditional things, like and actual cake that can be cut into.

Isn't it funny.  I notice that it is always the cupcakes that disappear first at groups I attend, and they are usually with older people.

Ai love cup cake better.

AEvery party I attend cupcakes are expected... if they aren't there, it's MAJOR disappointment. My 95 yr old great aunt loves them (especially the mini's). Her & her boyfriend think they are better than a slice of cake any day.

I actually have the opposite reaction as well, but I think it depends on the cupcakes.

Mine are almost all filled, and usually minis, they are pretty dainty in comparison to a standard cuppie or slice of cake. People seem to love being able to have more than one flavour, not needing a fork or plate, and for the older generation there is a bit of a novelty to it.

That said, large cupcakes, especially just plain cake with a swirl of frosting, don't seem to go over as well.

Ha! Ha!! I can relate... I personally like the look of a cake, but the variety, portability, and creativeness that you can get with a cupcake! ( so easy to "bring one home for so and so" etc. cake has to be on a plate and wrapped, etc. I like that cupcakes can be served with napkins, vs. plates and silverware for cake. but, I still like the look of cake. ( for more formal events) But I usually do both. The last anniversary that I did was a mixture. we did 5 flavors of "mocktail cocktail" flavors and a smaller two tiered traditional wedding cake looking anniversary cake but with lots of flowers and color, ha ha! It was so fun!!! It was for a 50th wedding anniversary, and believe it or not... the OLDER people absolutely LOVED the cupcakes!! most ate several flavors! I kind of wish I would have thought of doing minis, so people could have tried them all! :)