Relive Taylor Swift's Eras with Sweet Treats Inspired by Her Re-Released Album Covers

Taylor Swift might not be touring our country yet, but you can celebrate the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour 2023 documentary that is coming to town by making desserts inspired by her brand-new albums, this time, solely owned by her.

With the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour 2023 documentary hitting movie screens in India, it’s time we revisited the enigmatic singer’s albums, she has been enticing and indulging fans with for a while now. From being a teenage icon, to a youth icon, and now in her iconic 30s, she has raised an entire generation of millennials and Gen Zs, worldwide, with her songs alone.

As the mother continues mothering (TS fans will know this one from Reels), she is right on time to light up the silver screen, shoo away the blues of the bygone Durga Pujo and Navratri festivities, and also usher in the Diwali celebrations. Her footsteps might be in the distant land of the USA, but we sure can indulge, on our part, in desserts, of course!

Taylor Swift just recently released the re-recorded album, 1989, with the sun, sand and seagulls forming a cheerful background to the euphoric, windblown Swift on the cover. Let’s get started with that and go back in time!

1. Vanilla Cupcakes – 1989 (Taylor’s Version)

With the regular vanilla cupcake, you can ditch the complex frosting and go for easy toppings like fresh fruit, pudding, a dusting of powdered sugar, cubed jelly, or whipped cream, to which sprinkles are added. For the finishing touch consider a sprig of mint given how fresh this album cover feels and looks.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, for about 3-4 minutes.
• Beat in the egg until combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and vanilla.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three additions, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined after each addition; do not overmix.
• Scoop the batter evenly into the lined cups, filling about 2/3rd.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow to cool completely before adding toppings. Add a sprig of mint as garnish for the fresh vibe of sand and surf that this album cover boasts of.

2. Cake Pops – Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

Facing the other way on her right, Swift rightfully reclaims her music and steps back in time donning the iconic dreamy purple dress from the older Speak Now cover. We’ll make it easy for you, and have you not bake the cake from scratch, but do consider getting your hands on any edible decorations that are violet, like edible flowers; these are what you need for the cake pops:

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (any flavor, prepared in 8x8-inch pan)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• Toppings of choice (sprinkles, grated coconut, crushed Cadbury strawberry Oreos, edible flowers or chocolate chips)

Instructions:

• Cook the box cake as per the instructions on the box, and then crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl.
• Add peanut butter and milk. Mix until a dough forms.
• Roll into 1-1.5 inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
• Freeze for 30 minutes.
• Roll frozen balls in toppings of choice.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

No frosting is needed; the peanut butter will hold the cake balls together. Toppings can be customized; they should ideally be purple in color. You can enjoy these decorated treats without the need of any piping skills.

3. Apple Crisp – Red (Taylor’s Version)

Matching the more somber atmosphere of Swift’s gaze here along with the name of the album, her iconic red lip, and the scarf that has become celebrated in the not-so-secret scarf featured in the All Too Well song, we feel apple crisp fits the autumn vibe of the album quite well. The scarf is in the extended version of the song as well as its music video.

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 6-8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar

Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• Place apple slices in a baking dish. Pour water and sugar over apples and mix until coated.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar and spices. Cut in the butter with your fingers until the mixture looks like crumbs.
• Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the apples are soft, and the topping is golden brown.
• Serve warm! Top with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

4. Chocolate Cookie Bars – Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

Finally, her first album which kicked off the Taylor's version albums, solely owned by her, after the rights of her older albums got sold off to a private firm. What better than the chocolate-speckled golden cookie bars that mimic the dark and golden hues of her album cover?

Ingredients:

• 180 gm butter, softened
• 110 gm brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 250 gm all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150 gm chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs until combined.
• Stir in the flour, salt, and vanilla until a dough forms.
• Press half the dough into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over top.
• Crumble the remaining dough over the chips.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden just like the album cover.
• Cool completely before cutting into squares.