Sprinkles Ice Cream Delivers!

Photo courtesy of Sprinkles Ice Cream

I'm over here doing the happy dance! Sprinkles Ice Cream now delivers! Imagine having a fresh pint of their cap'n'crunch, salted caramel or red velvet ice cream delivered to your door step? Well, wonder no more! A pint is only $10 bucks however shipping is a cool $65-$80 for the DC area- Yipes! But hey...it's worth it, right? I'll keep you posted Cupcake (and Ice Cream) Lovers! 

                   

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Cupcake Duct Tape

Photo courtesy of Duck Brand 

I have to admit Cupcake Lovers, out of all the things that I've featured on Cool Cupcake Stuff, this has to be my favorite. Who wouldn't love to receive a care package or present sealed in cupcake laden duct tape? I would! *frantically waves hand* As a matter of fact, the kid in me would have to resist the urge not to cover everything that I owned in cupcake duct tape! Nonetheless, this awesome addition to the duck brand family runs for about $4 for 10 yards of cupcake cohesion. Visit the duck brand website to find a store near you. 

Cupcake Project #27: Cupcake Stilettos

This week's cupcake project is one that is very close to my heart. It involves shoes and cupcakes! I saw my first cupcake stiletto over a year ago and have been fascinated with them ever since. To me, it is one of the most creative ventures in cupcake-tivity as it melds cupcakes, cookies, candy and fondant. Check out this video that is giving you step-by-step instructions on how to stay cupcake chic...Enjoy! 

                         

Event Recap: The Sweet Life

Perfect Pink's Cupcakes & display
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Ahh...la dolce vita or 'The Sweet Life' as this tour is aptly named. The Sweet Life is a collective pop-up shop of 10-12 local vendors selling their yummy treats to the hungry masses in Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Manassas, VA between now and August. A proverbial pavilion of tasty treats, sweet eats, and smiling faces.

Lovely Sweet Life hostess serving M&M's
(Photo courtesy of Claudia Johnson)

The creator of The Sweet Life is Tammy Freeman of Pink Dot Concepts. Her mission behind The Sweet Life is to end the recession one treat at a time with no crumb left behind. With such a bold mission statement, The Cupcake Critic was happy to be a featured guest and media partner for the event along with Washington Eats. 

The Cupcake Critic with photogs  Claudia & Julia
(Copyright  The Cupcake Critic)

My first stop on the tour was the Perfect Pink Cupcake table where owner, Markies Hart, was on by serve up his red velvet and banana mini cupcakes. Event goers lined up for their banana cupcake minis and marveled at the perfectly pink table and display.  

Red Velvet Cupcakes from Perfect Pink 
(Photo by Claudia Johnson)

Cakes from the Hart showed off their creative prowess with cakes fashioned into a Chanel and a Luis Vuitton bag with a matching shoe! You know that The Critic was in heaven...ooolala

Luis Vuitton shoe & purse cake by Cakes from The Hart
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Chocolate martini samples and other chocolate infused treats were provided by Essala Lowe of Dove Chocolate Discoveries. I really enjoyed the chardonnay brittle and cinnamon dusted almonds with chocolate centers. 

Sweet Endeavors/DCD table displaying all their treats!
(photo courtesy of Claudia Johnson)

Chardonnay infused brittle and cinnamon dusted chocolate covered almonds.
(photo courtesy of Claudia Johnson)

Tweets' Sweets was on the tour with her sweet potato and banana pudding cupcakes. Tweets Sweets' little ones were also on there and sold their own cake pops and chocolate chip cookies. 

Tweets Sweets & The Little Sweets
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

  Kaylie of K&M Cupcakes were on deck serving up choco-cherry watermelon cupcakes and cupcake cones. They also had samples of their granola protein bars, nutella and chocolate vegan cupcakes. 

Kaylie of K&M Cupcake
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Cupcake Cones & brownies by K&M Cupcakes(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

 The Lollipop Chef brought her 'A' game with a display from Bride's magazine and lots of treats on hand. Serving lollipop brownies fit for a bridal shower, wedding, baby shower, or any special occasion. I had the opportunity to taste their cream cheese brownies and-wowzers! 

The Lollipop Chef serving up brownie goodness
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

 Owner Sultaneh Riley of Eat Your Heart Out Bakery, and her husband, served up their sample minis in: pineapple upside down cake, apple cinnamon, chocolate strawberry and vanilla.  

Sultaneh Riley and hubby, owners of Eat Your Heart Out Bakery
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Strawberry-chocolate minis by Eat Your Heart Out Bakery
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

 Last but certainly not least was Cake Bee who specialize in wedding cakes, specialty cakes, and cupcakes. Cake Bee owner, Sally, let me take home a peach green tea cupcake, a green tea cupcake, and a chocolate strawberry cupcake. She also showed me her collection of handmade cupcake toppers which were too cute! She had poodles, purses, bears and puppies. You could eat them up- literally!

The owners of Cake Bee
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Cake Bee Cupcakes in assorted flavors
(copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Also, I got to see people whom I usually interact with online and on the blog such as: Sharia and Adrian of Socialite Events. Overall the day was filled with laughter, goodies, and smiling faces. Check out the next two tours slated for August in Woodbridge and Manassas, VA. You won't want to miss it!

Me & my sister Shelby: the best assistant & PR person :-)
(copyright The Cupcake Critic) 

                         

Cool Cupcake Stuff: White Chocolate Meyer Lemon Baking Mix

White Chocolate Meyer Lemon Cupcakes
(Photo courtesy of Dove Chocolate Discoveries)

So, I know what you are thinking, "Critic...what's so cool about cake mix? And didn't you feature cake mix last week?" Well my darlings, this cake mix is amazing! 


Over the weekend I met a wonderful woman, Essala Lowe, owner of Dove Chocolate Discoveries and was introduced to numerous chocolate based products that simply melt in your mouth. Everything from cinnamon dusted chocolate almonds to chocolate raspberry martinis (pre-mixed) and even chardonnay chocolate brittle -decadent doesn't begin to describe. Therefore, such goodness to be captured in a white chocolate cupcake with spriggs of lemon....? Yes, I'm sharing alright. 


The cake mix promises "an exotic cross between lemon and mandarin orange that give you a sweeter,fresher lemon taste" And I'm all about that! There are also shaved bits of DCD white chocolate and Madagascar bourbon vanilla. Feel free to pick up your box for $14 (which yields 12 cupcakes)  from Essala's website here. 

Cupcake Project #26: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar Cupcakes

Strawberry Shortcake Ice cream Bar Cupcakes
(Photo courtesy of Hoosier Homemade)

One of my favorite summertime indulgences are the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars. As a child I answered the sweet siren of the ice cream truck would buy the ice cream bar simply because it was pink; and pink was and is my favorite color. Now that I'm an adult, I still enjoy the treat from time to time. Seeing it in cupcake form is amazing and this recipe is a sure fire hit! Enjoy!

Ingredients

White Cupcakes

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

2 cups cold milk (for pudding)

Strawberry syrup (like Nesquick)

No-taste Red Coloring

Buttercream or Decorator Icing

2 Cups Puffed Rice 

1 small box of strawberry gelatin

(Photo courtesy of Hoosier Home

Instructions
1. Bake and cool cupcakes. 
2. While the cupcakes are cooling, mix the pudding and milk and put in the fridge for at least 5 minutes. 
3. Stir in a little red coloring until you get the desired color. 
4. Place back in fridge. 
5. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in microwave and add the strawberry  gelatin .
6. Pour the gelatin over 1 cup of puffed rice, mix very well. Spread out evenly onto piece of wax paper, and let dry while you prepare the cupcakes. 
7. After the cupcakes are cooled, use an apple corer to remove a plug for the pudding. 
8. Fill with pudding and add the top half of the plug back into the cupcake. Place in the fridge. 
9. Chop puffed rice in food processor. You can chop 2 colors separately. The red puffed rice takes a little more time to chop. 
10. After both are chopped, stir together well. 
11. Frost cupcakes, and dip cupcake in puffed rice mixture. Sprinkle more on top if necessary.

Meet Me at The Sweet Life!

The Sweet Life is a travelling pop-up shop giving bakers a "store-front for a day". Bringing together about 12 bakers per event with about 100 sweet treat lovers, their goal is to give bakers a platform to spread the word about their business. A Sweet Life is the only collective pop-up shop providing an intimate environment where customers can sample and buy from local area bakers. I will be on-hand to taste and rate cupcake exhibitors. Washington Eats will also be on-hand at The Sweet Life. To buy tix click here. 

When: Saturday, July 21, 2012

Where: The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (6055 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, VA 22307) 

Time: 1-4PM

Cost: 2 for $15

Johnna Knows Good Food: Whole Foods Market Review

(Photo courtesy of Johanna Knows Good Food)

Review: Whole Foods Market, Downtown Silver Spring, MD

Flavors: Cherry vanilla, lemon lime and cola 

Price: $3.98 

If you read Johnna Knows Good Food, then you know sweets rarely make it in my house.  There are the few that creep through the door and force me to indulge in my sweet tooth.   That’s where Whole Foods cupcakes come into play. Whole Foods houses quite a few of my favorite things i.e. lean, local poultry, fresh market veggies, etc.  I surprised myself when one day I decided to stroll over to the pastry department only to discover I might have a secret obsession with cupcakes.  

When entertaining myself with the muffin top treats, I always stay in the safe zone with flavors such as vanilla or strawberry. The toppings I tend to get a little liberal with when they boast interesting ingredients such as amaretto or licorice.  On this particular visit, I stepped all the way out of my comfort zone with Whole Foods line up of Soda Pop cupcakes.  Simply the thought of implementing old school Soda Pop into cupcakes mesmerized my taste buds.  I had to have one. Flavors such as cherry vanilla, lemon lime and cola filled the glass display looking much like a scene you would find in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.  I said this along time ago but multiple colors pull people in and that’s exactly what happened with me as I proceeded to order one of each.  Moist, with a perfect sugar balance, the cupcakes made me wonder why I did not indulge in this more often. 

The reminder of soda pop, however, was only apparent in the use of 50’s style swirls and colors.  If you had your eyes closed you would not think of soda pop on your first bite, rather a nice afternoon treat would come to mind. Since Whole Foods is actually a market (a rather large market), I will not put it in the grocery store category, rather I will say for a market this size, they know how to produce quality to the masses. 

The cupcakes, needless to say, passed my sweets test and could take up some counter space in my domain. To save myself from being yelled at by my Dentist for cavities, however, I’ll reserve these for special occasions only, but I now know where to go for a quick, sweet, good cupcake fix.

Word On The Street: Haagen Daz Sells Cupcakes

So...the word on the cupcake street is that the Haagen Daz in Pentagon City Mall is selling cupcakes! The tip (and pic) came from a member of the Critic's cupcake-loving community. They haven't had the cupcakes themselves but suggest that the cupcakes hold the freshness and authenticity muster. 
Haagen Daz's assortment ranges from: sweet potato, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate turtle, Candied lemon and strawberry creme. Ummm...sounds tempting. Looks like The Critic may be making a trip to Pentagon City soon! 

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Sprinkles Cupcake Mix

Sprinkles' Dark Chocolate Cupcake Mix
(Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma)

As DC awaits (with bated breath), the arrival of the new cupcake ATM, Cupcake Lovers will have to traipse to Georgetown to get their sweet Sprinkles cupcake fix. Can't make it to Georgetown or crave Sprinkles' goodness after business hours? Don't fret, pick up a tube (or two) of Sprinkles' cupcake mix in dark chocolate, vanilla, banana, lemon or red velvet. Complete with their signature fondant dots, each canister makes a dozen cupcakes. Pick up yours from Williams and Sonoma today for $14.95. 

Georgetown Walking Tour with History and Cupcakes!

Georgetown Cupcake (Photo courtesy of J. Jackson)

Take a tour of Georgetown with stops at local cupcakeries: Georgetown Cupcake, Sprinkles & Baked and Wired. Visit the historical Dumbarton House while noshing on a free cupcake from each shop. The tour is 2 hours long, rain or shine, so don't forget your comfy walking shoes! Get your tix here.

When: Sunday, July 22, 2012

Where: Meet at the corner of Q and 27^th Streets, NW 

Time: 10AM-12PM

Cost: $20

Cupcake Project #25: How to Fill Cupcakes

I found this quick guide to filling and frosting cupcakes on my Google+ feed.  While there, I came across this fabulous site called Shop Baker's Nook and found this informative video. I appreciate the ease of use in the filling and never thought about using a piping bag or nozzle for my fillings. Anywhoo, with the permission of Baker's Nook, I give you how to fill and frost a cupcake! Enjoy Cupcake Lovers! 

The World's Most Expensive Cupcake

Yesterday, I received tweet, after email, after text alerting me to, presumably, the World's Most Expensive Cupcake. Located in Dubai, the cupcake was fashioned by Bloomsbury Cupcake founder, Shaeena Yusuff Ali. It's called the Golden Phoenix and retails for $1,000 with an ingredients list that includes: Ugandan vanilla bean, Amedei Porcelena chocolateli and mounds of edible gold leaf. The chocolate confection is wrapped in edible gold leaf and trimmed with a chocolate-dipped strawberry sprinkled with, guess what? More gold leaf! Although I'm fond of the mythology surrounding the phoenix bird, I believe that I will pass on this one. Despite my feelings, I find Ali's efforts to be astounding and astute for her clientele. 

Meet Doron Petersan at Whole Foods Market

Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Meet Sticky Fingers founder, Doron Petersan, this Saturday at Whole Foods in Downtown Silver Spring. She will be one of the local vendors on hand for Whole Foods' Local Fair promoting locally produced foods plus local biz. Sticky Fingers Bakery, located in Columbia Heights, DC is also one of Whole Foods suppliers of vegan baked goods. Can't make it? Stop by their bakery for their latest Tour de France lemon cupcakes ($3) or their awesome vegan brunch.

When: Saturday July 14th and Sunday July 15th 

Where: Whole Foods Market 

833 Wayne Ave., Downtown Silver Spring, MD 20910

Time: 12-4PM

Cost: Free-ninety-nine 

Photo courtesy of Sticky Fingers Bakery

Savvy Treats

Review: Savvy Treats

Location: Online/ Delivery

Flavors: Raspberry Lemonade, Vanilla, Salted Caramel and Carrot Cake

Price: $29 per dozen or 2 dozen minis

Score: 3.7

Amidst the growing number of online and delivery based bakeries, some simply stand out. After happing upon Savvy Treats’ Facebook page, I was intrigued with their very professional photos, prim logo and tri-color packaging. What sold me was the banner pic of a kind woman posing in her kitchen with an apron on. That woman is owner Cheryl Savastano who took her knowledge of sales, baking, and marketing and decided to go full-time with her dream of Savvy Treats.

Savvy Treats' Packaging 
Copyright: The Cupcake Critic

Known amongst friends, family and co-workers for her signature carrot cakes, she began to get orders for them and had a light bulb moment for Savvy Treats. Now she creates her mini-cupcakes for corporate galas, catering companies and even real estate open houses. Having been open for less than a year, she’s already hired a professional cake decorator for her specialty cake orders and leases commercial kitchen space. 

Savvy Treats' Signature Carrot Cake Cupcake 
(Photo courtesy of  Savvy Treats)

On a muggy afternoon, I met with Cheryl who graciously presented her well-branded goods and supplied me with four flavors: signature carrot cake, raspberry lemonade, salted caramel with caramel filling and vanilla bean. After an awesome presentation, I made it home with the cupcakes choosing to start off with the minis.

Vanilla Cupcake (Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

Retailing for $29 per 2 dozen, the minis are the perfect 2-bite treat. I was disheartened that they were mounded with frosting but they served their diminutive purpose. I tried the vanilla bean cupcake first which was a bit sweet with a dense texture. The flavor was there but it was hard to define which is necessary in a vanilla cupcake. Next up was the raspberry lemonade which had a great flavor and texture but was a tad too sweet for my taste.

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

My next cupcake was the salted caramel which I adored! I could taste the homemade goodness in the hand spun caramel. I also liked the caramel filling which was just right and not too sweet. My final and absolute favorite cupcake was her signature carrot cake. This cupcake is a winner! I can see why people fawn, praise and chase Cheryl down for her carrot cakes.

Savvy Treats' Salted Caramel Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

The cake was the perfect balance of carrot, nuts, pineapple and coconut. Exceptionally moist and very flavorful, I was sad to eat my last bite. The frosting was a tad sweet but all-in-all a great accompaniment to delicious cake. Look for Savvy Treats at pop-ups around DC and definitely visit their Facebook page. This is a savvy woman serving up some savvy treats!

*The cupcakes in this review were gifted however that did not sway the opinions of the reviewer. 

Cupcake Camp DC is Coming!!

Have you ever seen a kid run through the house in excitement when their best friend comes over for a sleep-over? Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt when this year's Cupcake CampDC 2012 was announced on Sunday! After many months of stalking their Twitter, Facebook, and Blogspot, they finally announced that they will be hosting this year's Cupcake Camp DC on  Saturday, September 8th at 4PM. 

Cupcake Camp DC Baker T-shirts
Photo courtesy of Cupcake Camp DC

Cupcake Lovers (of the 21 and over ilk) will enjoy cupcakes from amateur and pro bakers, indoor games, prizes, and a chance to vote in the cupcake competition. Amateur and Pro bakers are encouraged to strut their stuff and enter their delicious goodies for the Cupcake Challenge. Tickets to the event range from $5-$10 for VIP tix. Bakers competing in the Cupcake Challenge will pay $10 fee and receive this cool T-shirt. Donations will also be collected to benefit the DC Candlelighters Foundation to fight childhood cancer. Buy tix here!

When: Saturday, September 8, 2012

Where: Continental Modern Pool Lounge
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Cost: $5-$10