Sprinkles
Sprinkles are small pieces of confectionery used as a decoration or to add texture to desserts such as cupcakes, doughnuts, or ice cream. The candies, which are produced in a variety of colors and shapes, have different names in different countries.
History[edit | edit source]
The origin of sprinkles is largely unknown, but they have been used in the Western world since the 19th century. The Dutch are known to have used a type of sprinkle, known as hagelslag, on bread since the early 20th century.
Types[edit | edit source]
There are several types of sprinkles:
- Nonpareils: These are tiny round sprinkles that are hard and crunchy. They are one of the oldest forms of sprinkles and are often used on holiday treats such as Christmas cookies.
- Jimmies: These are rod-shaped sprinkles that are soft and have a slightly waxy texture. The term "jimmies" is primarily used in the Northeastern United States.
- Quins: These are flat, shape-themed sprinkles. They come in a variety of shapes, such as hearts, stars, and flowers.
- Crystal Sugar: This is a larger, coarse type of sugar that gives a sparkly effect.
- Dragees: These are small, ball-shaped sprinkles, often silver or gold, used for decoration.
Production[edit | edit source]
Sprinkles are made from sugar, cornstarch, and food coloring. The ingredients are mixed together, heated until they form a dough, then pushed through a machine that cuts them into the desired shapes.
Usage[edit | edit source]
Sprinkles are used to decorate a variety of desserts. They are often used on frosting or icing and can be used to add color and texture to cake pops, cookies, and other treats.
Health and nutrition[edit | edit source]
While sprinkles add a fun and colorful touch to desserts, they are high in sugar and offer little nutritional value.
See also[edit | edit source]
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