DCist is all over today's opening of Dupont Circle, Washington, DC bakery Hello Cupcake.
photo by Tracy C. Clayton for DCist
The menu rotates daily but always includes a seasonal offering, as well as vegan and gluten-free versions of most regular flavors (dog-friendly options, Pup Cakes, are also on the way). Penny’s first finalized recipe, the Peanut Butter Blossom with a Scharffen Berger chocolate base topped with peanut butter frosting and a chocolate kiss, has also proven to be the most popular in pre-opening test runs.
We have our eyes set on some of the more offbeat flavors, including Chocolate Chai, a chocolate base with chai buttercream, Maya Favorite Cupcake, a cinnamon-chocolate cake topped with chili-infused chocolate ganache and hot pepper “sprinkles,” or the summer seasonal Root Beer Float, whose heavily spiced cake base Penny admits was a bit of an unintentional test kitchen creation. And if you're looking for the popular Red Velvet, you'll have to wait a little while, Penny's recipes contain all-natural ingredients, something that doesn't include the artificial red dyes found in most red velvet recipes. But she hopes to find something that will work soon.
For those who are interested in more than just a one cup fix and looking for some party cupcakes, she has plans for themed assortment boxes, like English garden party with floral flavors, and a boozy box with mojito-flavored cakes.
See also: DC Metro Area Cupcake Meetup Group (sign up - this past weekend was a cupcake picnic at the Reflecting Pool!) organizer Danielle Buckley's interview with and cupcake rundown from Hello Cupcake owner Peggy Karas
Readers - have you rushed over to Hello Cupcake yet? Share your reviews via email or in the comments.
photo by Tracy C. Clayton for DCist
The menu rotates daily but always includes a seasonal offering, as well as vegan and gluten-free versions of most regular flavors (dog-friendly options, Pup Cakes, are also on the way). Penny’s first finalized recipe, the Peanut Butter Blossom with a Scharffen Berger chocolate base topped with peanut butter frosting and a chocolate kiss, has also proven to be the most popular in pre-opening test runs.
We have our eyes set on some of the more offbeat flavors, including Chocolate Chai, a chocolate base with chai buttercream, Maya Favorite Cupcake, a cinnamon-chocolate cake topped with chili-infused chocolate ganache and hot pepper “sprinkles,” or the summer seasonal Root Beer Float, whose heavily spiced cake base Penny admits was a bit of an unintentional test kitchen creation. And if you're looking for the popular Red Velvet, you'll have to wait a little while, Penny's recipes contain all-natural ingredients, something that doesn't include the artificial red dyes found in most red velvet recipes. But she hopes to find something that will work soon.
For those who are interested in more than just a one cup fix and looking for some party cupcakes, she has plans for themed assortment boxes, like English garden party with floral flavors, and a boozy box with mojito-flavored cakes.
See also: DC Metro Area Cupcake Meetup Group (sign up - this past weekend was a cupcake picnic at the Reflecting Pool!) organizer Danielle Buckley's interview with and cupcake rundown from Hello Cupcake owner Peggy Karas
Readers - have you rushed over to Hello Cupcake yet? Share your reviews via email or in the comments.
Comments
I stopped by around 12 to pick up a few for myself and the office. Rave reviews from the folks I work with, especially on the Pick Me Up (chocolate/coffee). I had a Prima Donna (chocolate/strawberry) and the Triple Coconut and they're both good if you have a cupcake craving, but not the best I've ever had. Too much icing and too sweet to rate perfection.