Showing posts with label Crunkcakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crunkcakes. Show all posts

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

2012: A Year in Review

Happy New Year Cupcake Lovers! 2012 was a year for cupcakes and to commemorate such an awesome year, I've compiled a wrap-up of the highlights from 2012.


Buzz Bakery's Arlington Location
 Copyright of The Cupcake Critic
Treats from Cupcake Blvd in Crofton, MD
The Virginia based Buzz Bakery announces a new location in Southeast D.C.'s Yard development while food trucks like Curbside Cupcake and Cupcake Blvd. set-up brick and mortar shops in Pentagon City Mall, Union Market, and Crofton, MD. 

Warren Brown's Cakelove: How to Bake Cakes from Scratch
Cakelove's Toffee Crunch Cupcakes aka My Boo!
After closing Love Cafe (a U-street staple), Cakelove's Warren Brown pens another book entitled, Cakelove in the Morning and gives a portion of their toffee crunch cupcake sales (aka, My Boo!) to Hurricakes for Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts. 



Crunkcakes display table at Treat Yo' Self
Copyright of TheCupcakeCritic.com
Olivia's Cupcake Shop
Photo courtesy of Olivia's Cupakes
L-R: Raychel and Faith, the Ladies of Crunkcakes
Copyright The Cupcake Critic
Crunkcakes (last year's winner for Best Overallheld their first 'Treat Yo Self' pop-up shop featuring several artisans and other sweet-treat makers where they introduced two new flavors featuring DC Brau Craft Beer: the Brau Rickey and the Fat Cat.  Meanwhile Olivia's Cupcakes (last year's winner for 'Best Red Velvet Cupcakes') tinkers with getting a new food truck and introduces their now famous Ciroc cupcakes.  
The Kallinis Sisters at the LA Opening of Georgetown Cupcake
Copyright of Georgetown Cupcake
The sisters behind Georgetown Cupcake are on Season three of TLC's DC Cupcakes, have a new book called Sweet Celebrations, three new stores in L.A., New York, and Boston; and a baby on the way.


Penny Karas (owner of Hello Cupcake) holding the DC Lovechild
Copyright TheCupcakeCritic.com
The Winning MacTop by The Sweet Lobby
Hello Cupcake debuted their new line of Celebration Cakes as well as an alcohol-inspired new flavor called The DC LoveChild. Not to mention that their second location in Barrack's Row turned one! Neighboring cupcake shop, The Sweet Lobby, won Cupcake Wars and introduced a new cupcake called the MacTop which combines their famous macarons on top of a cupcake. 

SweetBuds Bakery Food Truck at the Bowie Fest
Pretty Girl Cupcakery opens in Hyattsville, MD
Meanwhile new shops like The Cake Courtesan and Pretty Girl Cupcakery are welcomed in cupcake deserts like Prince George's County, MD; no longer leaving shops like The Sweet Tooth and Cakes Plus to hold down the fort. 


Sprinkles Kuwait Storefront is under wraps/ Copyright of Sprinkles

Sprinkles' Cupcake ATM/ Copyright The Huffington Post

Revolutionizing how food is served Sprinkles has been leading the pack with not one but three new Cupcake ATM's in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston...but still no word on Georgetown's phantom ATM. Adding to the empire, Sprinkles  opened two new ice cream stores with cupcake-themed flavors and they're also set to open a chain of Sprinkles Cupcakes in the Middle East with Kuwait being the first location.


Copyright of Penguin Publishing
Doron Petersan and The Cupcake Critic
Copyright The Cupcake Critic
Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers Bakery made another appearance on Cupcake Wars defending her crown after releasing her new book,  Sticky Fingers Sweets: 100 Super Secret Recipes. I gave away two signed copies earlier this year much to the delight of my readers. 


Election 2012 Cupcakes from Frosting Cupcakery
Photo courtesy of Frosting Cupcakery 
Hello Kitty and The Cupcake Critic
The Cupcake Critic in Hello Kitty Swag
This year was also an election year causing several stores like Frosting, Sprinkles, Georgetown Cupcakes and The Sweet Lobby to create Election 2012 and partisan cupcakes. Three of my lucky readers won a dozen election cupcake boxes courtesy of Sprinkles Georgetown. Getting in on the action was Hello Kitty who ran from president and set-up headquarters at the 918 F Street building. Georgetown Cupcake provided the presidential themed cupcakes for Candidate Kitty who ran on the friendship party. I shot a vlog after my own attendance at the event; and
  Slava Rubin, Founder of Indiegogo
pictured with The Cupcake Critic
The Sweet Life Tour featured local bakers like Tweets Sweets!
Copyright of TheCupcakeCritic.com
The Cupcake Critic visits Old Fashioned Radio/
Copyright of  The Cupcake Critic
On a personal note, I got to talk to K Street Kate on her show The District Dish and later visited Listen Vision studios twice for Across the Fader and Old Fashioned Radio bearing treats from Delectable Cakery- yum! The blog got a great nod from TheRoot.com and Social Media TV while I was profiled on Google+Local, HuffPost Live, DMV CEO and City Life Deals


Actor Isaiah Washington and The Cupcake Critic
The DC to NYC Cucpake Happy Hour
Good times at the Cupcake Happy Hour!
The highlight of the year came from my awesome Cupcake Lovers! Due to their awesome love and support I brought home not one but two Black Street Awards for 'Best Blog' and 'Best Website'. While in New York for the awards ceremonyI got to visit Baked by Melissa, Crumbs (Times Square), Dylan's Candy Bar, Magnolia Bakery (Hail Mary) and Make My CakeSomewhere in there and threw a pretty cool Cupcake Happy Hour sponsored by Sweet Themez Bakery and hosted the Sweet Life Tour showcasing various DMV Bakers. Overall 2012 has been a great year for beloved cuppies. 

Tell me Cupcake Lovers, what predictions do you make for 2013? 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Crunkcakes + North American Whiskey Tasting = Good Times!



When: Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Where: Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: $5 

Join Crunkcakes at Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 for a whiskey tasting. Tickets are $5 and will feature Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye, George Dickel No. 12, George Dickel Barrel Reserve, Crown Royal Black, & Crown Royal Maple. There will also be Bulleit Bourbon Bread Pudding and Crunkcakes vegan Gingerbread cake infused with Crown Royal Maple Whiskey and Crown Royal Buttercream. It's safe to say that this is for the 21 and over crew!

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Crunkcakes Debuts New Flavors


Join the ladies of Crunkcakes as they debut their new DC Brau inspired cupcakes! Come and enjoy samples of the Fat Cat which is a DC Brau Penn Quarter Porter chocolate infused cupcake with bourbon, filled with salted bourbon caramel sauce and bourbon caramel buttercream. Also enjoy the Brau Rickey which is a DC Brau Citizen lime cake infused with bourbon and bourbon lime buttercream. The first 24 people get a FREE full-sized cupcake!


When: Thursday, May 31st
Where: Little Miss Whiskey (1104 H St NE, DC)
Time: 7-9PM


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Treat Yo’Self


DJ Keenan Orr Spinnin' (Copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Earlier this month I attended Treat Yo’ Self! which is the collaborative efforts of One Love Massive and Crunkcakes.  The name is a spin-off of a popular story line from the NBC comedy, Parks & Recreation. The artisans’ market was held at the Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan and featured DJ Keenan Orr.  Drinks were poured while warm stuffed pizza flowed on every bar corner and eager buyers looked through the wares of the many talented vendors.

The Crunkcakes Table

When I walked in, I was immediately greeted with vendors ranging from food to jewelry to art work. To the left were the ladies of Crunkcakes and their new treats, The Biggie Smalls. I bought two cuppies; one buttery nipple (my favorite) and the maple bacon (hmmm…bacon). The salty and sweet mixture was awesome!

Original artwork by B. Doty
Original artwork by C. Cafferty
In the corner was original artwork by Brittany Doty and Caroline Cafferty; budding artists who were more than eager to share the inspiration for their artwork. Many of the pieces ranged from vampy re-creations of Blondie or Marilyn Monroe, to dark pieces that could rival Tim Burton’s best films. Next door was DC Patisserie whom my sister (and Critic in training), purchased a dozen of their macarons from and enjoyed thoroughly.
DC Patissiere Macarons

DC Patissiere Vendor

On the other side of Crunkcakes, I spotted K &M Cupcakes. They offered cupcakes, red velvet heart-shaped brownies and cookies. Fab Fete is a new-comer who offered homemade hummus, caramel corn and a variety of gluten-free cookies. Although The Critic has no issues with gluten, I appreciate vendors who cater to a diverse digestive track. My sister bought two containers of hummus while I purchased the cranberry and oatmeal cookies – they were umm-umm good!

K&M Cupcakes

Square in the center with an ornate display was DC new-comer Chica Bom Bom. They were selling brigadeiros, a Brazilian treat similar to a caramal bon bon and made with condensed milk. The owner explained to me their process of making them and had coconut, nutella and chocolate samples available.


Chica Bom Boms

Hazelnut, Nutella, Coconut and Chocolate Brigadeiros

Doubling back, I spoke with Rachel Pfeffer of Rachel Pfeffer Designs. The daughter of a jeweler, her collection had some awesome pieces including silver and brass statement necklaces and natural mineral rings to the tune of $113 and up. Despite being an all-cash event, many vendors accepted credit cards through portable scanners. Overall the event was awesome and the people of One Love Massive have outdone themselves again. 

Monday, February 27, 2012

The Cupcake Weekly #6

February 27- March 4th: The Sweet Lobby Giveaway


Hey Cupcake Lovers! The Sweet Lobby-winners of 'Cupcake Wars' and recent addition to Barrack's Row, are giving one of my readers a gift certificate for one dozen free cupcakes!! 
Rules to enter:
Subscribe to my blog in the upper right-hand corner and leave a comment on one of my reviews. One lucky member will be chosen at random (and I mean random) and awarded a gift certificate for one dozen cupcakes. The winners will be announced on Monday 5, 2012!


March 4: H Street Bakes is Back!




If you haven't experienced H Street Bakes then you're missing out. H Street Bakes is a like an awesome back sale that features baked goods by local craftsman. Our friends at Crunkcakes will be in attendance as usual and they hope to see you there. 

Time: 12PM-3PM
Location: The Big Board (421 H St NE)


March 17: Cupcakes & Cocktails
 Cupcakes & Cocktails is an afternoon of shopping, mini make-overs, spa services, speakers, music, natural hair show, natural hair styling demos, entertainment, door prizes, raffles and complimentary Cupcakes & Cocktails! A portion of the proceeds benefits local charities.Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Location: Upscale Ballroom 3900 Bexley Rd. Suitland, MD
Time: 3PM-8PM


August 19-26: The Cupcake Lovers' Cruise

Pull out your passports Cupcake Lovers, there's a 'Cupcake Lovers' Cruise'. The Celebrity Cruises ship leaves port in New Jersey and will be sailing to Bermuda for seven days of fun in the sun. Cupcake workshops and guest speakers will be on hand. Cabins are still available and start at $999-$1702.

For more info, 
visit here



Do you have a cupcake news or an event? E-mail me at DCCupcakeCritic@gmail.com to be included in the weekly round-up.

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Cupcake Weekly #3


February 11, 2012
Georgetown Cupcake NYC

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake
Georgetown Cupcake is opening a new store in SoHo! To commemorate their new location, they are adding three new cupcake flavors to the menu: apple, cheesecake and marble (after NYC's famed marble cookies). They will also top their cuppies with candy  Broadway signs, yellow Taxis and an apple.

February 12, 2012
Treat Yo Self!

The good folks over at One Love Massive and Crunkcakes are teaming up for a day of mimosas and fine leather goods…ok, not really but they are pulling together some of the coolest artisans, craftsmans and treat-makers in the city. Join them and special guest DJ Keenan Orr for a
Valentine’s Day pop-up shop at Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan. For more info, click here

Location: Mellow Mushroom
(2436 18th St NW)
Time: 12:00pm until 4:00pm


February 15 & 17
Sticky Fingers Debut Cookbook!

Sticky Fingers, DC’s favorite vegan bakery and two-time ‘Cupcake Wars’ winner, will be debuting their new cookbook, 'Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes'. (*Psst* They are the first vegan bakery in Cupcake Wars history to win!) Written by shop co-owner Doron Petersan, the book features 100 recipes and the secrets to their vegan delights. Anticipate the book on February 17. If you can’t wait that long Petersan will be hosting a live webinar from her alma mater, The University of Maryland to discuss the book. To register, click here

August 19-26
The Cupcake Cruise

Photo courtesy of Cupcakes Take the Cake


Pull out your passports Cupcake Lovers and get ready to sail to Bermuda! The good people over at 'Cupcakes Take The Cake' are sponsoring a seven-day Cupcake Cruise packed with cupcake work shops and guest speakers. Trip costs range from $1,000-$1,702 with a $99 deposit due immediately.


For more info, visit here


Do you have a cupcake event or news? E-mail me at DCCupcakeCritic@gmail.com to be included in the weekly round-up!

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Cupcake Weekly #2

February 12, 2012: Treat Yo Self!

The good folks over at One Love Massive and Crunkcakes are teaming up for a day of mimosas and fine leather goods…ok, not really but they are pulling together some of the coolest artisans, craftsmans and treat-makers in the city. Join them and special guest DJ Keenan Orr for a
Valentine’s Day pop-up shop at Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan. For more info, click here

Location: Mellow Mushroom
(2436 18th St NW)
Time: 12:00pm until 4:00pm

   Cupcake Wars Season 5 is STILL CASTING!!

Don't miss your chance to showcase your culinary skills on Season 5 of Cupcake Wars, airing Sunday nights at 8PM on the Food Network. To enter, send an email to cupcakewars5@gmail.com and include photos of you, your cupcakes and a brief bio. Good Luck!
February 15 & 17
Sticky Fingers Debut Cookbook! 

Sticky Fingers, DC’s favorite vegan bakery and two-time ‘Cupcake Wars’ winner, will be debuting their  new cookbook, 'Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes'. (*Psst* They are the first vegan bakery in Cupcake Wars history to win!) Written by shop co-owner Doron Petersan, the book features 100 recipes and the secrets to their vegan delights.  Anticipate the book on February 17. If you can’t wait that long Petersan will be hosting a live webinar from her alma mater, The University of Maryland to discuss the book. To register, click here
Order Sticky Fingers' New Book!



Do you have a cupcake event or news? E-mail me at DCCupcakeCritic@gmail.com to be included in the weekly round-up!

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Cupcake Weekly #1

Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hello Cupcake & Chocolate City Beer's Shotgun Wedding
  

Join the two brands as they come together to form 'The DC Love Child' cupcake. Free beer and cupcakes!
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Nellie’s Sports Bar
(900 U Street NW)







Sunday, January 29, 2012


Join Hello Cupcake at their new Barrack's Row Location to learn the secrets to their perfect swirl, awesome frosting and their delightful cupcakes! Courses are $20 each and the proceeds will benefit Barracks Row Main Street Project.





Time:  11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Hello Cupcake (705 8th Street SE)
*Register by Saturday, January 28, 2012

February 12, 2012: Treat Yo'Self is Accepting Apps

The folks at One Love Massive & Crunkcakes are teaming up for Treat Yo' Self! A Valentine's day pop-up shop at a yet to be determined location. They are now accepting vendor applications for the creative ilk. If you are interested in providing treats, email them at treatyoselfvendorapp@gmail.com for more info.












Do you have a cupcake event or news? E-mail me at DCCupcakeCritic@gmail.com to be included in the weekly round-up!
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