Residency
All Harrisburg Cupcake Cup contestants must be residents of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York counties in Pennsylvania.
Entry Categories
Contestants must enter in one of two divisions. A contestant’s entry category is subject to consideration and alteration by the Harrisburg Cupcake Cup organizer.
- Classic Division – You are the average person who bakes occasionally, most likely for your family and friends. You have never taken orders to make baked goods for anyone, nor have you ever accepted money/compensation for any sort of baked good. You have never had any professional baking/pastry training. Your talents could be considered anything from beginner to intermediate. If you were a past winner or runner up in this division, you will then progress to the Master Division in subsequent years.
- Master Division – You bake either as a side job or as a profession. You have at some point taken orders to make baked goods for others and/or you have accepted money/compensation to make baked goods. You may have had some professional baking/pastry training. Your talents could be considered anything from intermediate to advanced.
Cupcake Requirements
Cupcakes must be made entirely in advance and be ready for judging upon your arrival. They must also be made by the person entering them in the Harrisburg Cupcake Cup. One entry per person. Failure to abide by these rules will result in immediate cupcake repossession, and you must stand by while we eat your cupcakes!
- Size: All cupcakes must be equal to those made in a standard muffin pan with standard-size cupcake papers (if papers are being used). That means the cupcakes will be approximately 2 1/2″ in top diameter, and the height of the bottom will be about 1 1/2″. This provides a level playing field for all contestants.
- Quantity: Contestants must bring 18 identical cupcakes in order to enter the Harrisburg Cupcake Cup. Each judge gets one cupcake and the remainder go to the cupcake sampling table for general event attendees.
- Baking Process: Cupcakes must be made completely from scratch and all elements of the cupcakes must be edible. No mixes, pre-made shortcuts or canned frosting allowed. Fondant, gum paste and marzipan may be used to create decorative items, but those items must be handmade by the contestant. For example, store-bought marzipan fruit or pre-made fondant flowers are NOT permitted. Small candy items that cannot be made from scratch, such as M&Ms and Reese’s peanut butter cups, are permitted. Cupcakes with savory elements will be accepted as long as no more than 25% of the cupcake is savory. (For example, a maple cupcake with maple frosting and bacon pieces is acceptable.)
Suggested Donation
Since this event is a fundraiser for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, we ask that contestants make a suggested donation of $25.
Repeat Contestants
If you were ever a Winner or Runner Up in the Harrisburg Cupcake Cup, you may not re-enter the flavor that earned you those awards.
