Post-cupcake craze

Fulfilled's honey yazuka

By Rachel Levin, Special to Metromix

Now that the cupcake craze is showing signs of slowdown, new portable pastry contenders have stepped in to capitalize. From miniature Bundt cakes to Euro-style churros, each is striving to be the next big single-item sweet. Holiday parties provide the perfect occasion for sampling these new confections. Before you pick up a box of goodies, consult our post-cupcake pastry guide to see which ones taste and travel best.

The goods:  Fulfilled is all about imas—short for imagawa-yaki—piping-hot, pancake-like, palm-sized stuffed Japanese pastries. The Sweet Geisha, stuffed with sweet adzuki bean paste, is the traditional version. American adaptations include the Honey Yakuza (goat cheese, fig, honey, walnut, black pepper) and the Karaoke Kitty (strawberry, cream cheese, white chocolate). Savory varieties are also available, like the Sumo Italiano (prosciutto, smoked ham, Parmesan, basil).

The price:  Sweet Geisha $1.95; other imas $2.95.

The taste: The pastry is fairly neutral tasting, somewhat like a crepe. The heavy adzuki filling might not appeal to some American palates used to more sugary fare. We preferred the Honey Yakuza’s unusual but tasty combination of fruit and nut flavors.

Portability factor: B+. Cute: Each ima gets its own paper sleeve, and the whole order is packed carefully inside a small shopping bag or box.