Melissa Ben-Ishay built Baked by Melissa on a revelation most of us have had while staring down a bakery case: why choose just one flavor when you could try them all? Her solution—bite-size cupcakes that clock in at 50 calories each—turned an indecisive moment into a multimillion-dollar business.
Since 2008, the brand has made “poppable” an actual selling point, offering everything from nostalgic flavors like Marshmallow Hot Cocoa (inspired by the chocolatey goo at the bottom of her childhood Swiss Miss) to unexpectedly sophisticated combinations.
Now a mom herself, Ben-Ishay is bringing that same no-guilt philosophy to holiday entertaining, proving that impressive doesn’t have to mean complicated—and that sometimes the best baking hack is knowing when to just buy the cupcakes.
Melissa Ben-Ishay’s holiday treat tips
Can you share your favorite hack for making impressive holiday treats that don’t require hours in the kitchen?
I love a good ice box cake which feels more like an arts and crafts project than a recipe, plus, you don’t have to bake it! I also love to use ingredients I already have on hand whether it’s ripe bananas for these double chocolate banana brownies or leftover halloween candy for my brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Don’t overthink it–commit to a tried and true recipe and you’ll be the life of the party. If you don’t feel like making something yourself, try our best-selling Latest & Greatest, Holiday Cheer, and Festival of Bites cupcake assortments, that are the perfect dessert to bring with you to the holiday party.
What are the three ingredients or tools every busy mom should have on hand for last-minute holiday baking?
Kitchenaid stand mixer, hand mixer, if you care parchment paper, cookie sheet
Are there any nostalgic holiday treats from your childhood that inspire your current recipes?
Oh my gosh of course. So many of our bite-size cupcakes are inspired by nostalgic desserts from my childhood:
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- Our Marshmallow Hot Cocoa cupcake was inspired by me as a kid making Swiss Miss hot cocoa but adding an extra packet of the mix, then eating the chocolatey goo left at the bottom. Our cupcake is made with real hot cocoa mix.
- Our Caramel Cake Batter cupcake is inspired by the cakes I would make with my mom during the holidays. Same thing with the Christmas Sugar Cookie cupcake since we always made sugar cookies as well.
- The Chocolate Babka cupcake came to be because if you’re coming to any family member’s house for a jewish holiday, a babka is being brought. This cupcake version is even better.
- The Snowcap flavor is inspired by the Snowcaps candy we all knew so well as kids, and is topped with the same white nonpareils
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What’s one simple recipe swap that can make store-bought or basic treats feel more special for holiday gatherings?
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- Add sprinkles!
- If you’re using box cake mix, add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt
- When using chocolate chips, splurge for the expensive kind – I’m in love with anything from the Guittard brand.
- Personally, I love anything that looks homemade and like a lot of love went into it, especially during the holidays – that’s what it’s all about.
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How do you involve your kids in holiday baking? Any tips for making it fun rather than chaotic?
Eat a gummy 30 minutes before you start baking and you’ll realize the memories are worth it. (and try to clean as you go. That’s a rule I follow at all times in the kitchen)
What inspired you to make “bite-size” your signature? How has that concept evolved as you’ve become a mom yourself?
I have always loved to bake and enjoy cupcakes. During the time leading up to founding Baked by Melissa in 2008 I was baking my tie-dye cupcakes (typical cupcake size) for everyone and anyone. Working in advertising at the time, cupcakes always seemed to be sent to the agency and I lived across the street from a bakery. I could never decide what flavor I wanted and oftentimes ate TWO cupcakes in the same sitting. When we started Baked by Melissa it seemed like a no-brainer to MAKE THEM SMALL SO YOU COULD TRY THEM ALL and feel like a kid again without that post-dessert guilt trip I had become so accustomed to.
Your cupcakes are famously poppable—what makes bite-size treats especially perfect for holiday entertaining with kids around?
Every Baked by Melissa cupcake is just about 50 calories. We have a variety of flavors with the perfect ratio of cake to stuffing to icing and topping in each assortment that allows everyone to be happy–whether you like chocolate, vanilla or more outside of the box flavors like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Caramel Cake Batter. No plates or forks required, you can try all the flavors without over-indulging, and the small size is perfect for little hands. We also have assortments without nut flavors, as well as gluten free and vegan options as a way to have something for everyone!
What holiday flavors are you most excited about right now? Any unexpected combinations we should try?
I’m obsessed with Sugar Cookie Dough, Marshmallow Hot Cocoa, Chocolate Babka, Brookie, and Caramel Cake Batter.
If you could only serve one bite-size treat at every holiday party for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Baked by Melissa of course. Was that a trick question?
