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

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

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

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

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

While sprinkles add a fun and colorful touch to desserts, they are high in sugar and offer little nutritional value.

See also

• List of desserts
• List of candies