April Fools Cakes

A few days late but better late than never, right?

Can you tell which of the following images are actually cupcakes?

Spaghetti anyone?

Mmm! Mashed potatoes and gravy.

Itza Pizza Pie?!?!

Summer corn on the cob...

If you guessed that they are all cupcakes -- you're right! Pretty good though, huh? I think some of these would certainly make my mind play tricks on me. I'd be about to bite into the corn on the cob cupcake and my brain would be thinking that I'm going to taste corn but then it's a sweet cupcake instead! I love these.

Oh, and one other new favorite. This is a unique new flavor that isn't for the faint of heart.

Who is up for the spinach flavored frosting garnished with sardines?

Ha! This prank-cake actually fooled the cupcake blogger over at Cupcakes Take the Cake. It took me a few minutes of starring myself but I just couldn't believe that anyone in their right mind would actually put these two ingredients on a sweet little cake.

Happy April. Bring on SPRING!!

Stealing My Cupcake Thunder...

A friend sent me the link to the following article over the weekend.

"Gramercy Tavern’s Nancy Olson Rates New York’s Cupcakes"

So this Nancy thinks she can steal my cupcake thunder?! Ha! When I am on the Food Network traveling the country and sampling cupcakes, we'll see who has the last laugh! :)

Although Nancy missed a few of bakeries (CRUMBS!?!) on my list she hit up the more popular joints (except CRUMBS!?!?) and seems to have some similar thoughts on the popular treats. Check out her New York Magazine feature and let me know what you think.

Here's a breakdown of her final list:
#15 Babycakes
#14 Tonnie's Minis
#13 Buttercup Bake Shop
#12 Butterlane
#11 Billy's Bakery
#10 Sugar Sweet Sunshine
#9 Cupcake Cafe
#8 Sweet Revenge
#7 Magnolia
#6 Baked
#5 Two Little Red Hens
#4 One Girl Cookies
#3 Kyotofu
#2 Batch
#1 Dessert Club, Chikalicious

I have some issues with the rankings but you will just have to wait and see how everything stacks up once I'm done with the full journey. Looks like I still have some more tasting to do!

Read the full article here.

Points for Cuteness!

As much as I dislike Magnolia, look how cute they've packaged their cupcakes for Easter!


These are available for $20 at each Magnolia location. That is, if you like that sort of thing...ha

Two Little Red Hens

My roommate spoiled me by picking up this baby the other night. I think it is (appropriately) called the "Death By Chocolate" cupcake from Two Little Red Hens. It is difficult to see the actual size of this cupcake via the photo above, but let me just say it should just be called CAKE! It was so ginormous and so heavy that if it weren't in the traditional cupcake shape, you would undoubtedly call it a piece of cake.

I read a critique of the above "cake" and one of the things this taster didn't like was the icing but that was my favorite part! The critic said that the icing was too thick but I thought it was appropriate for the size and type of cake it was. I had to eat it a day after receiving because I had already ate a few cupcakes that day (trying to behave) and the cake was still moist. My one complaint, aside from the size and $4 price tag, was that it had a chocolate pudding filling. Honestly I am getting tired of this filling nonsense. I bought a cupcake, not pudding! I want to eat the cake, not some surprise filling inside, you know? Sigh. And it only seems like this trend is picking up. I am already over it.

All in all, the "cake" was very good but I can't say it was good enough to warrant a second visit. I'll keep Baked at the top of my favorites list as they serve true, delicious cupcakes at a very reasonable $1.75 price. :)

THE JOURNEY:
Amai Tea and Bake House
Amy's Bread
Babycakes
Baked*
Batch
Billy's Bakery
Buttercup Bake Shop
Butterlane Cupcakes
Crumbs
Cupcake Cafe
Dessert Club ChikaLicious
Eleni's
How Sweet It Is
Kitchenette
Lux Sugar*
Magnolia
Martha's Country Bakery*
Make My Cake
Out of the Kitchen
Royale Cafe and Pastry (sells Baked* cupcakes!)
Starbucks (limited time only)
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Sweet Revenge
Tribeca Treats
Tonnie's Minis
Two Little Red Hens

*Borough bakeries

Spring Strawberries

It's strawberry season! Strawberries are by far my favorite fruit, so as you can imagine, strawberry cupcakes are always a favorite too. Here's a recipe to bring out the spring baker in you!

Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes
Sprinkles is a famous LA-based bakery that features of variety of cupcake flavors. This recipe for their strawberry cupcake comes from Martha Stewart's website.

Ingredients

Makes 1 dozen

• 2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• Sprinkles' Strawberry Frosting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2. Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
5. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

Baked Goodness

James and I just made a special visit to the real Baked in Red Hook this evening -- it is quickly becoming my favorite cupcakery. I had the red hot red velvet this time and it was delicious. I really can't say anything bad about this place. The icing is so fluffy and creamy and the cupcake is perfect. James tried the oatmeal raisin cookie and said it was the best he'd ever had. :)

Red Hook is a little out of the way but if you are making the trek to Ikea it is very close by. I definitely suggest stopping in if you are in the neighborhood. You won't be disappointed.

And don't forget, Royale Cafe in the city sells Baked goodies as well.

Sweet Revenge

Another cupcake in the (work) neighborhood. Sweet Revenge is not your typical bakery. While they push their cupcakes as one of their signature treats, they offer a bunch of other foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have yet to try anything other than their cupcakes but the place is pretty cute and the food sounds appetizing.

So let's get into it. The cupcakes are somewhat unusual looking, particularly the frosting, and they remind me of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Strange, I know. I've tried a few of their "signature cupcakes" including the Pure (vanilla), Dirty (chocolate), and Crimson & Cream (red velvet). And while I enjoyed each there's just something about them that is...interesting. I'm not sure if that's the right word. But the cakes are moist and the icing is plentiful. I'm interested in trying some of their "special of the day" cakes too.

I guess it's not a bakery that I crave but I can't really complain about it either. They are good - just not great. I give them points for creativity though for sure!

Sweet Revenge also offers frosting shots and cupcake wine and beer pairings. Very unique. I like!


THE JOURNEY:
Amai Tea and Bake House
Amy's Bread
Babycakes
Batch
Billy's Bakery
Buttercup Bake Shop
Butterlane Cupcakes
Crumbs
Cupcake Cafe
Dessert Club ChikaLicious
Eleni's
How Sweet It Is
Kitchenette
Lux Sugar*
Magnolia
Martha's Country Bakery*
Make My Cake
Out of the Kitchen
Royale Cafe and Pastry (sells Baked* cupcakes!)
Starbucks (limited time only)
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Sweet Revenge
Tribeca Treats
Tonnie's Minis
Two Little Red Hens

*Borough bakeries