from Not Martha, who got this at Ella Posie.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Perfectly swirled frosting
And for the record, we shamelessly steal (or "borrow") these pics from lovely flickr users, so I don't know how to make this swirl or how most of these get made, I just like to look at the pretty pictures.
caption:
Flying Apron baked goods at the Food Co-Op in Port Townsend
caption:
Flying Apron baked goods at the Food Co-Op in Port Townsend
Panda cupcakes and query
Leaving the "work" of this blog to our readers...
Panda cupcakes
A reader query:
I was getting my hair done the other day and was flipping through some gossip mags. I came across an article about these famous yellow cupcakes that celebrities just “have to have”. I think the bakery was in L.A. but I can’t be sure. They gave the recipe and of course I didn’t write it down. Now, I can’t seem to remember what mag it was and what the name of the bakery was. I am hoping that you can help me out. Hopefully, you will know just what I am talking about.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
I'm sure it tastes better than it looks
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Our funniest cupcake interview yet: Jon Friedman
Seriously, a word to the wise - don't read this interview while, say, eating or drinking, or you're liable to choke or spit all over your computer. Also, um, he's a comedian, even though he didn't put that under occupation. You might pick up on that while reading this interview (which was done, let me just add, via email). There's also a photo that we'll be adding soon, once I can figure out how to get it online.
Name: Jon Friedman
Age: 28
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Writer / Producer
URL: www.tremendousrabbit.com
How often do you eat cupcakes?
I've eaten 61 cupcakes. No, that is not a tribute to Roger Maris.
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
They are a self-contained individualized cake. A cupcake is yours and no one else's. This is my cupcake James! Get out of here! You already had yours. Hey! James is grabbing at my cupcake, he's smashing it! He's cutting his arm with the knife!!
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
I'm really into the hamcake. It's a cupcake but with a tiny slice of ham inside. Hamcakes. I just like to say ham whenever I can. My favorite type of cupcake is not too spongey and has chocolate.
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
I like baked goods. I'll be honest though, I don't often buy baked goods on my own. They are the type of thing that are a special treat. I'll have baked goods when they are supplied for me. Like at a party or event. I'll reach for the cupcake first. I love the combination of icing and cake bottom. You don¹t get that with the donut. Although sometimes there is stuff inside the donut. That's cool. Muffins are decent. Did you see my bag? I had a little black bag here. Where's my bag? Seriously. Where's my butler? Jones!? Jones!! I need you! --Are you Greek?
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
Sometimes I wish cupcakes were bigger. Like very big so people can take slices from it and share it after singing. I'm just kidding, I'm describing cake! I have figured out that cake was invented before cupcakes. Because if cupcakes were invented first then they would¹ve been called "cake" and cake would be called "platecakes." You can quote me on that on your computer journal. What are those things called? Cojo's?
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
I've never really baked my own cupcakes. I did once try to make banana bread. I accidentally used salt instead of sugar. I did not realize it until I tasted the mix. It burned like a mother! That was disappointing because I was doing so well. I went through the rest of the process and finished baking it anyway. It looked so delicious when it was done. I tried to have a slice. It was horrendous. Salt and sugar look so much alike.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
My family had gone over to a neighbor¹s house early on to wait it out. I remember having to tape up the windows before we left. It was fun and exciting but also scary. I did feel safe though --like we were hiding from danger. I was young and we got to miss school. I clearly remember my father describing what the "eye" was while we looked out. What? Oh, I thought you were asking me about Hurricane Gloria. Cupcake related? Probably some kid brought some in for his birthday in second grade or something.
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
Aahahahhahahahahaaahaha! I once took a cupcake to the New York Hall of Science. That was fun. We learned about principles of motion, sound, and sight. Well I learned about them. A cupcake can't learn.
The Great American Bake Sale
Attention Cupcake lovers! This fall we invite you to help us as we organize a few fun cupcake bake sales to combat child hunger. We will be participating in the Great American Bake Sale. The dates and places for the bake sale have yet to be determined but you can start donating now. Our goal is to raise $500. Check out our special donation page, and we appreciate your support! Thanks!
If you are interested in donating your time and energy to help with the bake sales, please email us cupcakestakethecake@yahoo.com
Monday, July 25, 2005
Parents magazine's 2005 cupcake calendar
I knew about this Parents calendar feature but didn't know it was online - an adorable themed cupcake for every month of the year!
Here's the image for August to prepare you:
Get all 12 months' recipes here
Saturday, July 23, 2005
half eaten lavender cupcake
From our favorite West Coast bakery (whose "Legalize Frostitution" t-shirt I've been proudly wearing - we'll let you know as soon as their shop goes live so you can buy one of your own for those not in Seattle), Cupcake Royale
Sew Darn Cute's cupcake bag!
Jenny of Sew Darn Cute, who took the brightly frosted cupcake photo I posted the other day, also has other cupcake-related ventures, including selling this bag (click on image to go to the sales info):
She also sells adorable cupcake jewelry you might like.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Little Cupcake Bakeshop to open in Bay Ridge tomorrow
Haven't officially verified this but a reader writes in about the lawsuit-prone Little Cupcake Bakeshop:
The Grand opening of Little Cupcake Bakeshop will be Saturday July 23. The store is located in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. 9102 3rd Avenue.
From their site, their cupcake offerings will be:
$1.50 each
Golden Vanilla Cupcakes
Devils Food Cupcakes
Southern Red Velvet Cupcakes
Carrot Cupcakes
Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Coconut Cloud Cupcakes
Chocolate Cloud Cupcakes
German Choclate Cupcakes
Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes
Additional
Writing on cupcake $.25
Flower on cupcake $.50
Theme Cupcake $.50 - $1.00
Cupcake Cake w/ writing (24 cupcakes) $42.00
Cupcake Tree (60 Cupcakes with tier) $105.00
Happy Happy Happy's Cupcake of the Month
Cupcake of the Month: Raspberry!
Because Happy Happy Happy will be closed part of August for our summer holiday (more on this below) we'll be featuring our new Cupcake of the Month a bit early. From July 27th to August 21st you can get our mini cupcakes with raspberry frosting. And like the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry cupcakes we feature every day, there are no artificial colors or flavors in this cupcake: real raspberry in the frosting, real cocoa in the cake, and all-natural ingredients in both.
why, I've never had a banana cupcake
I wonder where it came from? I think a banana cupcake would be yummy, though I also long for a pumpkin cupcake with NON-cream cheese frosting. I am not a fan of cream cheese frosting or cream cheese sweetness in general. To me, they are two separate things, but I know many people love the cream cheesiness with their cupcakes.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
How long do cupcakes keep?
From a reader, respond in the comments please:
i'm helping out making cupcakes for a wedding and was wondering how long cupcakes last with icing? and is there a way of keeping them longer so we can make them in advanced?
because i imagine cupcakes only last max 4 days outside not in the fridge
because we have to decorate and then package them as well.
can you freeze the cupcake with icing with the packaging as well?
or is it okay to leave out for awhile?
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Happy 50th Birthday Disneyland!
From flickr poster disneymike:
"An estimated 75,000 cupcakes were served by castmembers to guests at Disneyland in honor of its 50th Birthday today." (dated July 17)
"An estimated 75,000 cupcakes were served by castmembers to guests at Disneyland in honor of its 50th Birthday today." (dated July 17)
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Today's sugar Sweet sunshine specials
Live from sugar Sweet sunshine at 4:15 pm on this rainy day:
They have special cupcakes - coconunt with chocolate almond buttercream frosting ("like Mounds") and coconut with meringue. They look yummy but I'm just having a peppermint tea for now.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Chocolate cupcake ice cream!
This looks so yummy! I may have to run out and by some...thanks again to the fabulous Susie Felber (who's a huge cupcake - you should come see her read and bring her a cupcake if you're in NYC on Wednesday at WYSIWIG Talent Show).
Once again, Turkey Hill Dairy and Tastykake® have created something sweet.
If you love chocolate and cupcakes, we've got just the treat for you. Our newest Creamy Commotions flavor is a pint and half of Turkey Hill Milk Chocolate Ice Cream with chocolate cupcake pieces swirled with chocolate icing. What makes it extra special is that it tastes like it's fresh from Tastykake® by way of the freezer.
The next time you're trying to decide between ice cream and a cupcake, grab a pint and a half of Creamy Commotions Tastykake® Cupcake. It will be sure to satisfy all your cravings.
Little Cupcake reader update
Update on Little Cupcake Bakeshop.
She also says the next court hearing about the injunction is August 5th.
I spoke with a colleague of mine who lives in that area of Brooklyn today, she said they should be opening within a week or so. They are ironing out the finishing touches. For the lawsuit, she said the injunction thrown at them by Buttercup was rejected by the courts.
Friday, July 15, 2005
? cupcakes
These are billed as "strawberry milkshake cupcakes" in the photo, but I'm not sure where the strawberry milkshake part comes in.
beautiful geisha and cupcake painting
Our very talented reader Janet Nelson painted this gorgeous image of a geisha with a cupcake. The painting is called "Meringue of My Dreams."
Can a cupcake cheer up a dead 19th-century-era depressive writer?
Find out when you watch this odd and funny cartoon of playwright August Strindberg and a talking helium balloon(?!) with a cute cupcake cameo at the very end. (Thanks, Cod.)
Cupcakes in Atlanta: Belly
I can't grab the photo, but I found this place Belly in Atlanta that sells cupcakes which were voted "Best Cupcakes" by Atlanta Magazine in 2004. Here's what their site touts:
Cupcakes… for the kid in all of us!
• ORGANIC BLUEBERRY JELLY FILLED CUPCAKE
WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING
• GRANNY FLO'S CARROT CUPCAKE
WITH WALNUT CREAM CHEESE ICING
• CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE WITH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE INSIDE
AND CHOCOLATE BUTTER CREAM ICING
• VANILLA CUPCAKE WITH BUTTER CREAM ICING
• VANILLA CUPCAKE WITH MOCHA BUTTER CREAM ICING
Join our Cupcake Club!
Get your cupcake card punched 12 times and receive a free cupcake!
Special orders & catering available.
Advanced noticed needed, please call or email to discuss your order.
Little Cupcake Bakeshop
Little Cupcake Bakeshop, the one we blogged about last week and is/was set to open today (anyone have an update on the case?), is located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. My friend Brian kindly took this and the following photo for us.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Cupcake Haiku from Philly
My lovely cousin Imani sent in this haiku:
I like the ones with
white cake and creamy frosting
like buttercream, yum!
She also recommends the cupcakes at Night Kitchen bakery in the Mt. Airy area of Philadlphia.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Lisa from Cupcake Bouquets takes our interview
Lisa also sent some pics, but I don't have time to put them up right now - soon I'll add them to her interview.
Name: Lisa Cupcakes (last name changed to protect the innocent)
Age: Old enough to know better, young enough to still do it.
Location: The Ville’.. ( ok that’s Vacaville for those of you out of the Northern California area)
Occupation: 50% owner of Cupcakes, Etc. and CBO ( Chief baking operator)
www.cupcakesetc.com OR www.cupcakebouquets.com
How often do you eat cupcakes?
Eat them? Not often.. it’s like any other job people have, when you’re around it you don’t like to do it that much when you’re not on the clock. (ok that’s such a lie… once a week I’ll try 1 outta the oven unfrosted)
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
The crown of the cupcake, unfrosted.
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
Do people really have favorites? I think a true cupcake aficionado doesn’t discriminate.
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
They are personal and individual, you don’t have to share (but let’s face it, sharing 1 with your boyfriend/girlfriend-husband/wife is rather nice) and they make you feel like a lil kid again
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
C’mon, you cant possibly improve the cupcake.
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
Yes, and Yes. We take turns with the baking duties.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
My Mom making them for my class when I was a kid.
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
Well, it wasn’t me but I had fun watching!! I sold a cute couple a 3 pack of cupcakes, they shared 1 and were feeding each other when things got carried away. They both were very dark skinned and the strawberry and lemon icing on them looked rather sexy.. then they kissed… HOT HOT HOT !! I replaced the lost cupcakes free of charge for the free show. I felt like a voyeur. I would have loved to have a picture of it.
Any other thoughts on the topic?
Yes. I don’t think there is enough cupcake paraphernalia out there. Like artwork, cute clothing or accessories.
(not to be confused with: paraphilia - Any of a group of psychosexual disorders characterized by sexual fantasies, feelings, or activities involving a nonhuman object.) ok so maybe you can confuse the 2.. Sexual fantasies involving a cupcake? As IF!! ~wink~ { i dont think sexual fantasies about cupcakes should be considered a psychosexual disorder though}
Reader requests - brown, dark brown and black cupcake liners
If you can help, please post in the comments. Thanks! And if you want to take our cupcake interview or have a query for us/our readers, feel free to email us at cupcakestakethecake at yahoo.com
Hi! I'm having a cupcake tower at my wedding and am desperately looking for brown liners. The tower I have chosen was made of all chocolate cupcakes and they look fine, but my mother insists that we can't just have chocolate so in order to unify the look, I'd like to have brown liners. And, what are the base and height dimensions of a standard cupcake liner? Thanks so much - love your site.
and
We are throwing our parent's a 50th anniversery party and decided to go with a cupcake tower instead the traditional cake. We are having a hard time finding the right cupcake liners. We need black and dark brown. Can you offer any suggestions. Thanks and we love your website.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Lisa Loeb takes our cupcake interview!
Our first celebrity cupcake interview...so exciting. Thanks so much to Lisa and her manager. I caught her performing at the show Sara Schaefer (Is Obsessed With You) and when she told Sara she's obsessed with food, I knew she'd be perfect for our interview. Yay!
Name: Lisa Loeb
Age: 37
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: songwriter/musician
URL: www.LisaLoeb.com
How often do you eat cupcakes?
As often as I can. Usually once every three weeks, although when I'm at a cupcake store, or a bakery, I usually get one of each kind to try. Cupcakes, like donuts, are to be eaten in bulk, with a little knife to take a piece of each one, then take seconds of favorites. The knife is also helpful in scraping off the extra icing. Sometimes I have to eat the extra icing after the fact. (Don't want to waste.)
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
Cupcakes look cute. The texture of the firm (hopefully not too soft/shortening) icing on top and the fluffy cake underneath. It's that combination of the texture and flavor. The worst part is when it's over, desperately scraping the dregs off of the wax paper cups with my teeth.
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
My favorite. Ooh. That's so hard to say. I think white cake with chocolate icing. Not too much icing. Soft cake, almost as soft as the kind you make out of a box, but from scratch. Not as rough as the cupcakes from the Cupcake Cafe in NYC. More like the texture of Magnolia cake, without all of the icing. Sprinkles are also a great addition- the little multicolored tiny balls.
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
I feel like I'm celebrating when I eat a cupcake, whereas with other baked goods (I eat a lot of pie, cake, cookies, brownies, although not as many "bar"- type desserts, crumbles, crisps, ice cream cakes, etc. ) I feel merely like I'm eating the special part of a meal.
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
I'd like to see some kind of tool for regulating the amount of icing on top of the cupcake. I'm not sure if it's my tastebuds that have taken over, but I don't even thing cupcakes with too much icing look as cute as cupcakes with the right amount.
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
I bake my own cupcakes. I even have a mini cake-frosting knife and a collection of sprinkles and food dyes.
Do you have any special cupcake baking tips or hints?
Recently I realized that I could take leftover pancake batter- banana, gingerbread, oatmeal/gingerbread, blueberry, and pour it into cupcake pans to make cupcakes. That's exciting for a single person who likes cupcakes and pancakes. (They freeze well too, and you can ice them
after they thaw.)
Do you have a signature cupcake that you bake?
I make a banana cupcake with orange/kumquat cream cheese icing.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
Not the earliest, but one of my favorites is my 8th birthday party at the roller rink. My mother made her special cupcakes with faces on top and M&M eyes.
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
Hmmm. That's a good question. It's inevitable. I always have fun with cupcakes. Maybe peeling the curly strip of white off of the top of a chocolate Hostess cupcake while watching Fat Albert after Sunday School when I was in 7th grade.
Have you ever (or would you ever) write a song about cupcakes?
Probably. I've included Cake and Pie in songs already- even naming one of my albums "Cake and Pie". My philosophy- if someone asks if you'd like cake or pie, you say, "Both." I could add cupcakes to that. Someone in my life, I can't remember who at the moment, calls me "cupcake." I think I could include that in a song.
Any other thoughts on the topic?
No time, I need to run out and get a cupcake.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Cupcakes at Almondine Bakery
Cupcakes at Almondine Bakery
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.
If you are in DUMBO, you must check these very rich and chocolately cupcakes at Almondine Bakery which is owned by Jacques Torres. In fact, it is right across the street from the chocolate factory at 85 Water Street.
pig cupcake
Definitely one of the odder ones I've ever seen. Also, I'm not quite sure how we know it's even a cupcake from the photo. Also not sure if I think it's cute or gross - what say you?
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Guys Like Cupcakes, Too!
Guys Like Cupcakes, Too!
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.
While we were at Sugar Sweet Sunshine, we met Mike from Toronto who told us that he and his wife both love cupcakes.
Pistachio Cupcakes
Pistachio Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.
Allison, RKB and I met up today at Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Allison had a pretty pistachio cupcake.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
NYC Cupcake Wars: Buttercup vs. Little Cupcake
This morning, a reader pointed us toward an alleged cupcake controversy, right here in New York City: that Jennifer Appel, owner of Buttercup Bakeshop (and former owner of Magnolia Bakery) was supposedly suing a former employee, Mark Libertini, for opening a new cupcake-focused bakeshop in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, called Little Cupcake Bakeshop. According to our e-mail informant, Appel "wants the 'Little Cupcake Bakeshop' to remove 90% of the items featured on they're [sic] menu or else not to open its doors."
After we found no news of this lawsuit anywhere, we decided to do some research of our own, and we contacted both Mark Libertini and Jennifer Appel to find out their individual takes on the story. Our interview with Libertini is below; we have not yet heard back from Appel, but Cupcakes Take the Cake will be following this story as it unfolds.
When asked about his history of working for Jennifer Appel at Buttercup Bakeshop, Libertini explained how he had been hired because of his previous pastry-chef experience and formal training. He claims that Appel had invested a lot of time and money into setting up a franchising operation to expand the Buttercup brand nationwide and that she had hired him as a manager to teach the "nuts and bolts of baking technique" to new franchisees. He also told us that when he left the company this past January, that Appel had only sold 2 franchises (for a total of $60,000) at that point; he wondered if she wasn't perhaps having financial difficulties with making the franchising operation grow at a profitable rate.
Libertini explained that as former workers of Magnolia and Buttercup had left to form Sugar Sweet Sunshine and Billy's Bakery, Appel asked him to sign a confidentiality agreement in his work for her. However, he also explained to us that Appel "knew of [his] entrepreneurial spirit" and that he one day wanted to go on to open his own bakery. He claims that the terms of that confidentiality agreement in no way restricted his right to open a bakery of his own in the future.
According to Libertini, Appel first sent him a cease-and-desist letter, then unsuccessfully filed for an injunction to prevent him from opening his business, and finally decided to sue Little Cupcake Bakeshop with regards to the names for and recipes of 90% of its menu. Given the fact that Appel's own recipes for both Magnolia and Buttercup Bake Shop are in the public domain through the cookbooks she's published, Libertini says that even if he were using her recipes, that he'd be within the letter of the law. Moreover, he told us that his recipes are not exactly the same, and that the only similar cupcake on the two menus is the "lemonade." Other cupcakes the two places have in common include traditional flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet; as Libertini put it to us: "Jennifer [Appel] thinks she invented the cupcake."
While Libertini says he was fired by Appel this past January due to personality conflict between himself and Appel's husband (who had recently started working at Buttercup), Libertini told us that he wasn't upset at the firing. He'd wanted to go out on his own with a bakery and the timing was right to line up investors. He says that he had "wished [Appel] the best" when they parted ways, but that apparently she was feeling financially threatened by the "dilution" of her brand that any other sucessful cupcake-centric bakeries might provide.
According to Libertini, he and Appel met in court yesterday, July 6th, and the judge called for an adjournment until August 5th, when they will meet again. In the meantime, Little Cupcake Bakeshop is scheduled to open on or near July 15th. Cupcakes Take The Cake will keep you posted as to any further developments to this story, and we'll do our our best to get Appel's side of the story as well.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Cupcake Tips
In her article, "Cupcake wisdom," Natalie Haughton of Los Angeles' Daily News offers some cupcake-baking tips:
• Bake cupcakes in paper or foil liners, unless a recipe specifies otherwise. Liners come in a regular 2 1/2-inch size, a 1 5/8-inch mini size and a 3 1/2-inch extra-large size.
• Don't ever butter a cupcake liner, but when making dense or very moist cupcakes, spray with no-stick canola oil cooking spray for easy removal, recommends Elinor Klivans. When baking extra-large or big-top cupcakes, spray the top of the pan so the batter doesn't stick.
• Use shiny rather than dark pans for baking. Some experts use nonstick pans to keep cleanup to a minimum. You can also bake cupcakes in specialty cupcake-style pans in flower, star and heart shapes.
• Fill standard-size cupcake liners 2/3 (1/4 cup batter) to 3/4 (1/3 cup batter) full, depending on recipe instructions. "To streamline the cupcake-making process, use an ice cream scoop (in different sizes) with a spring action lever to fill the cups," advises Anne Byrn, noting that the scoop has changed her cupcake baking forever.
• Recipes with 1 cup flour make about 12 to 18 cupcakes, notes Klivans. Figure that the batter from an 18.5-ounce box of cake mix will make 20 to 24 standard 2 1/2-inch cupcakes, 36 mini 2-inch cupcakes and 12 jumbo or extra-large 3- to 4-inch cupcakes, notes Byrn.
• Preheat the oven 10 to 15 minutes prior to baking.
• Watch cupcakes carefully to avoid overbaking. Invest in an oven thermometer and check to make sure your oven is baking at the correct temperature.
• If you're having a party, bake a bunch of different flavored mini cupcakes so people can have tastes of each. If recipes don't specify mini baking times, note that minis will take more than half of the baking time recommended for standard size cupcakes. Figure around 16 minutes for minis and 20 to 25 minutes for standard size cupcakes.
• Use the toothpick in the center test for doneness. In most cases, if the toothpick comes out clean, it's done and if cake sticks, bake a little longer.
• Cool cupcakes in pan 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out on rack to cool completely.
• Use a small offset spatula (it has a flat rounded blade designed for even spreading) for frosting cupcakes as the crooked handle gives you extra leverage.
• Decorate cupcakes with sprinkles, M&Ms, chopped nuts, toffee, peppermint candies, jelly beans, chopped or shaved (with a vegetable peeler) light, dark or white chocolate, cookie crumbs, gumdrops, sifted cocoa powder, fresh fruits, edible fresh flowers, candied flower petals, or whatever else strikes your fancy. Also pipe on frosting designs if desired or use a knife to create swirls in buttercream frostings. Plastic stencils with small designs can also be used (sift powdered sugar or cocoa powder over stencil openings and remove stencil carefully).
• If traveling with cupcakes (some travel better than others; i.e. frostings and glazes that harden) during the summer, be sure to chill them first and transport in individual cupcake containers or disposable pans with plastic lids (available in 9x13, single serving or other sizes).
• Cupcakes are best consumed the day they are baked.
• You may freeze most cupcakes, unfrosted, for up to three months.
Muffins vs. cupcakes
Are Nutella banana muffins muffins or cupcakes (as one reader has emailed us and suggested)? Deliciousdays.com baked gorgeous-looking Nutella banana muffins - you decide. Either way, I'd totally eat them!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Sprinkles: 20 flavors of cupcakes
Readers keep writing in to tell us about Sprinkles, the Beverly Hills cupcake-only shop located at 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard. It looks delicious, judging from their daily flavor list (click the link for flavor descriptions):
monday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
carrot
lemon
vanilla milk chocolate
mocha
chocolate coconut
tuesday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
banana
coconut
peanut butter chip
strawberry
milk chocolate
black & white
wednesday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
orange
ginger lemon
vanilla milk chocolate
pumpkin
peanut butter chocolate
chocolate coconut
thursday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
banana
coconut
carrot
mocha
black & white
friday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
lemon coconut
vanilla milk chocolate
strawberry
milk chocolate
chai latte
pumpkin
saturday
vanilla
dark chocolate
red velvet
banana
coconut
strawberry
milk chocolate
peanut butter chocolate
black & white
Flower Cupcakes
From our awesome friend Flirty Kitty. These cupcakes are from The Bread Box Bakery in Shipshewana, IN.
Reader question: cupcakes stands and Oregon cupcakes
dear cupcake godesses,
much like yourselves, i am obsessed with the cup of cake. i am having cupcakes at my wedding and i want to incorporate said cupcakes into centerpieces on each table. i've seen some cool stands like this one but alas, it is too big. each table should have about 12 cupcakes. any ideas?
and a second inquiry - i live in san francisco but am getting married on the coast of oregon. do you know of any fantastic cupcake shops (aka bakeries) in the portland area?
many thanks for any help and also for your super blog.
~kali
Citizen Cupcake
I think Citizen Cupcake is just begging for a visit to San Francisco by us cupcake bloggers. Maybe in the fall?
Speaking of Citizen Cupcake, their site has information about a cupcake decorating party. Sounds like fun, though this was an idea we also had for an at-home party - various cupcakes with various frostings and sprinkles and other decorations/toppings, kindof like a cupcake buffet.
Decorate Your Own Cupcake Party (25-40pp)
2 hour party with hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and CUPCAKES!
Each party includes:
-2 cupcakes per person (chocolate & vanilla)
-A selection of toppings, frostings, candies, nuts and chocolate
-Panini Bites
-Cheese display- 3 assorted cheeses, dried fruit, nuts and crostini
-Marcona almonds, Marinated Olives & Wasabi Peas
-Red and White Wine
-Beer on Tap
-Sparkling Water
$20 per person plus tax and 18% gratuity
$500 minimum
Sake Cocktails or Champagne additional $200
Cocktail Service (choice of 2 spirits) additional $250
Coffee Service $2 per person
Artisan Cheese display from Cowgirl Creamery $25
Additional Canapés $2 per person
Speaking of Citizen Cupcake, their site has information about a cupcake decorating party. Sounds like fun, though this was an idea we also had for an at-home party - various cupcakes with various frostings and sprinkles and other decorations/toppings, kindof like a cupcake buffet.
Decorate Your Own Cupcake Party (25-40pp)
2 hour party with hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and CUPCAKES!
Each party includes:
-2 cupcakes per person (chocolate & vanilla)
-A selection of toppings, frostings, candies, nuts and chocolate
-Panini Bites
-Cheese display- 3 assorted cheeses, dried fruit, nuts and crostini
-Marcona almonds, Marinated Olives & Wasabi Peas
-Red and White Wine
-Beer on Tap
-Sparkling Water
$20 per person plus tax and 18% gratuity
$500 minimum
Sake Cocktails or Champagne additional $200
Cocktail Service (choice of 2 spirits) additional $250
Coffee Service $2 per person
Artisan Cheese display from Cowgirl Creamery $25
Additional Canapés $2 per person
Monday, July 04, 2005
Sunday, July 03, 2005
52 Cupcakes by The Cupcake Queen
Just discovered this brilliant blog 52 Cupcakes, where the creator is making a cupcake a week. Here's her ninth week's delicious-looking cupcake.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Creating those gorgeous cupcake bouquest
The moment you've all been waiting for. From our reader Martha, who sent all those photos of Incredible Hulk, Hello Kitty, Strawberry Shortcake and other cupcake bouquets:
Here are the instructions on how to make the cupcake bouquets with some pictures also
Supplies:
19 cupcakes
19 5 oz. plastic cups
30 inches of cake ruffle (whatever color matches your theme)
One 10 1/2 inch plastic plate
Stapler
Icing Tip # 2D
Decorations (Theme of your choice, use cake toppers for the center and you may use cupcake picks, sugar layons, edible sprinkles, cupcake rings, etc. to decorate all 19 cupcakes.
Instructions:
First begin with stapling the 19 cups together. Get one cup as the center and staple 6 cups around that one cup, then staples the remainder 12 cups all around the 6 cups, it will then give you a shape of a bouquet. ( I attached a picture so you can see what it has to look like)
Second get your 10" plate and cut out the edges. Then staple the cake ruffle all around the plate.
Third, insert your 19 cupcakes in each cup.
Fourth, lets decorate!! You will need your icing tip 2D with your frosting ( the frosting can be anykind you want as long as its white. Example buttercream or pastry pride whip topping.
Using tip and icing decorate the cupcakes. You can color the icing with cupcake color mist or you can color the icing before you decorate with icing color die. Then put the spinkles all around the top of icing. Then in the center put your main cake topper. Last put the rest of decorations on each cupacke like picks, rings, and sugar layons.
Last if you want to transport the cupcakes in your car, use a 14" cake box and cut the top off the box and cut a 10" circle in the center of the top you cut off. After you cut the circle out fold the sides of the top 2 times then insert the top inside your 14" box. That will keep the cupcakes from moving anywhere. Place the cupcake bouquet w/plate in your 14"box.
NYC Cupcake Making Class
I have no more information about this right now - someone posted it to our Flickr group, but it sounds fun! I'll investigate but if anyone knows more, write to us or post in the comments section.
Cupcake Workshop
Melanie Underwood 1 session(s)
one day Wed 7/13/05 6:00 PM-10:30 PM none
one day Fri 8/5/05 10:00 AM-2:30 PM none
one day Sat 9/10/05 10:00 AM-2:30 PM none
Tuition Fee: $90
Prerequisite: None
Cupcakes are hot—they’re turning up in fine bakeries and at black-tie events and weddings across the country. Here’s a class that will teach you everything you need to know to make gorgeous, delicious cupcakes for any holiday or celebration… or just for fun. Melanie Underwood will teach you the techniques for customizing you cupcakes, and you’ll learn the recipes for Vanilla, Lemon, Devil’s Food, and Black and White Cupcakes; Assorted Buttercreams (lemon, white chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and Grand Marnier); Chocolate Glaze; Fondant; and specialty decorations.
Location: 50 West 23rd Street
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