Celebrate the 57th Inauguration with Cupcakes

Photo credit: Chris Carlson/AP Photo

The 57th inauguration of the President of the United States is underway and, per usual, DC is soaking up all the fanfare and pandemonium. Cashing in on the celebration are cupcake shops across the DMV eager to satisfy residents and tourists alike with their sweet treats- and I'm elated! Below is a sampling of what to expect during the weekend....

Georgetown Cupcake's Inaugural Box

Cost: $29 a dozen 

Available until January 21, 2013

Photo credit: Georgetown Cupcake 

Never one to let a trend get past them, Georgetown Cupcake is capitalizing on the inauguration with their inaugural dozen featuring 3 red velvet cupcakes with gold fondant eagles; 3 vanilla and buttercream cupcakes with fondant US flags and 6 lava fudge cupcakes with a White House fondant topper. More than anything, I love that whatever Georgetown Cupcake does, they do well and have done well with an inaugural box fit for a two-term president. 

 Hello Cupcake's Very Berry Obama

Cost: $3.50 

Available on January 21, 2013

Hello Cupcake bi-partisan cupcakes /Photo credit: Hello Cupcake 

Hello Cupcake will cleverly feature the Very Berry Obama cupcake which is a vanilla cake with fresh berries and vanilla butter cream topped with patriotic sprinkles. This is one clever cupcake with a cute name. Hurry, it's only available on inauguration day. 

Curbside Cupcake's Inaugural Cupcake

Cost $3.50/cupcake

Available until January 22, 2013

Curbside Cupcake's inaugural cupcake/Photo: Curbside Cupcake

Curbside Cupcake recently debuted their inaugural cupcake which is a chocolate cake covered with a pineapple frosting and topped with a fondant Obama logo. I will assume that the pineapple frosting is a nod to his Hawaiian roots? I dig this and look forward to trying it!

Delectable Cakery's Inaugural Cupcakes

Cost $22 per dozen (with 25% off coupon)

Available until January 21, 2013

Photo credit: Delectable Cakery 

Delectable Cakery is throwing its hat into the inaugural ring with red, white and blue inauguration cupcakes or cupcakes topped with an official image of President Obama. Flavors range from vanilla, chocolate and their signature sweet potato. Cupcakes are available in packs of 12 and you can score a coupon for 25% off by visiting their site and joining their mailing list. 

And the Winner Is...The Best of 2012

Winner: Cakelove

Tie-Breaker: Aside from being wildly entertaining and informed about their cupcakes, one of the staff members at Cakelove had on a Wu-Tang Clan shirt with every member of the Wu-Tang Clan's names on it. I guess that's a fairly shallow reason to break a tie but do you know how many people are in the Wu-Tang Clan? Enough to put on a shirt. 

Congrats Cakelove!

R.I.P. Russell Jones

Winner: Georgetown Cupcake 

Tie-Breaker: The Sweet Lobby has amazing macarons and won Cupcake Wars' All-Stars with their MacTop creation. However Georgetown Cupcake cleverly debuted their cupcake hamburger at the start of the summer picnic/BBQ season and didn't forget the special sauce, poppy seed bun and cheese. But let's face it, food in the shape of others foods versus food on top of other foods is pretty creative. 

Congratulations Georgetown Cupcake!

Winner: Buzz Bakery 

Tie-Breaker: Baked and Wired has kickin' cool flavors like the Smurfette and the Fat Elvis that are beyond creative and big enough for two people. At the same time Buzz Bakery has the creative genius of Tiffany MacIssac who made an appearance on Sweet Genius. They also scored a 4.3 on their review compared to the 4 received by Baked and Wired. Overall both bakeries are awesome and yes, I gave Baked and Wired points for being next to a moat. Wait, that is a moat, right? 

Congratulations Buzz Bakery!

Best Cupcake Food Truck: Curbside Cupcake

Curbside Cupcake has a special place in every D.C. resident's heart as the first cupcake food truck. It's destined to go down in D.C. history with Marion Barry and  Ben's Chilli Bowl or Yum's carryout. With new locations in Pentagon City Mall and Union Square, they've revolutionized the food truck industry...lobbied and withstood city regulations and at the end of the day keep it classic.

Congratulations Curbside Cupcake!

Best Liquor Infused Cupcakes: Pretty Girl Cupcakery 

Pretty Girl Cupcakery is an oasis in the cupcake desert of Prince George's County, MD. They explore with various flavor choices but still keep it classy, San Diego. Their liquor-infused strawberry champagne cupcakes have been personally tested by yours truly (twice, don't judge me) and I am pleased as punch to congratulate them on their win!

Congratulations Pretty Girl Cupcakery!

Best New Bakery: Pretty Girl Cupcakery 

Pretty Girl Cupcakery is an exquisite cupcake shop located in suburban Maryland that is truly making its mark on the cupcake scene. They deliver on their promise with delightful waitstaff, innovative technology all housed in a perfectly pink and vanilla box shop. 

Congratulations Pretty Girl Cupcakery!

Best Online Bakery: The Butter Scotch Shop

The Butter Scotch Shop is one of my favorite online bakeries. Their moist and fluffy creations are reminiscent of my own grandmother's cupcakes; and that is hard to do. Owner Brandiss Smith creates each batch with love and delivers with a smile. 

Congratulations to The Butter Scotch Shop!

Best Vegan Cupcakes: Sticky Fingers Bakery

Although most shops have adopted handsome vegan and gluten-free offerings, Sticky Fingers Bakery in Columbia Heights, DC is the Vatican of veganism. It would be a travesty for them not to win this category. Further rockstar baker, owner, author, and two-time Cupcake Wars winner, Doron Petersan is the face of veganism in D.C. 

Congratulations Sticky Fingers Bakery!

Winner: Sprinkles Cupcakes

Tie-Breaker: Although I'm still steamed that DC doesn't have a Cupcake ATM or ice cream store, I am happy that they exist and are only a plane ride away. Further their expansion to the UAE is well, epic! But the true tie-breaker is their announcement of curbside service which makes the Critic very happy when attempting to park on those Georgetown Streets!

Congratulations Sprinkles Georgetown!

Plain Janes: The Best Vanilla Cupcakes

1. Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake 2. Photo courtesy of Sweet Truths Blog 3. Photo courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes 4. Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcake 5. Photo copyright of The Cupcake Critic.com

Vanilla cupcakes are often the most overlooked cupcakes and regarded as simply the Plain Janes of flavor. Despite being the basis for so many other flavors, the art of the vanilla cupcake is a special one. A dash of cinnamon or a zest of lemon can make the difference in a recipe. I have compiled a list of my favorite vanilla cupcakes from local bakeries and what makes them stand out. 

1. Georgetown Cupcake's Vanilla 2: This Madagascan bourbon vanilla cupcake with vanilla cream cheese is by far my favorite vanilla cupcake. The smooth texture of the frosting coupled with the simplicity of the soft vanilla cake makes it heaven in my mouth. 

2. Sprinkles Vanilla Cupcake: Sprinkles is generally awesome but their Madagascan vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting is like a fluffy cloud sprinkling white fairy confectionery sugar dust on your tongue. 

3. Buzz Bakery's Vanilla Cupcake: The Virginia based bakery is known for its elaborate treats but they have truly put their signature on their vanilla cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting. 

4. Cakes Plus' Vanilla Buttercream Cupcake: Cakes Plus' classic vanilla buttercream cupcakes can easily be termed as 'Ole Faithful'. Their vanilla buttercream is legendary with a homemade flavor that is anything but plain. 

5.  Curbside Cupcake's Vanilla Cupcake: Curbside's classic vanilla cupcake  brings the moist texture one would expect from a gourmet cupcake while giving you the homemade goodness reminiscent of mom's kitchen.

Tell me Cupcake Lovers, what's your favorite vanilla cupcake? 

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Curbside Cupcakes opens in Pentagon City Mall

Curbside Cupcakes Pentagon City Mall Location
Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcakes

Curbside Cupcake is undoubtedly one of DC's favorite food trucks! But for people like me who can't always catch one of their three trucks, we can now purchase their yummy cupcakes, milkshakes, and treats from one of their kiosks in Pentagon City Mall or Union Market. Both locations are metro accessible and offer the same variety as you would expect on their trucks. The expansion couldn't have come at a better time with recent legislation making it tougher for food trucks to operate in DC. I'll be sure to stop by soon and give an updated review. Congrats Curbside! 

Curbside Cupcake's Union Market location
Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcakes

Curbside Cookoff: Trucko De Mayo

What happens when you put 40 DC food trucks, live entertainment, beer and other fun activities into RFK stadium's parking lot? Curbside Cookoff DC !!! Sponsored by the DC Food Truck Association anticipate cupcakes and other treats from Curbside Cupcake, Sweet Bites Desserts and my personal favorite, Red Hook Lobster.  

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Where: RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street SE, DC Lot 3 
Time: 11:30-9 PM
Cost: FREE!
To learn more visit www.CurbsideCookoff.com

Help The DC Food Trucks!!

Sweet Bites Food Truck

We've all done it...stood outside in the pouring rain or freezing cold after having received a Tweet from your favorite food truck. Once you walk away with your gooey treat, suddenly the sun comes out and the rain clears. It was all worth it. Well troops, it would seem that more than ever the DC Food Trucks need your help. (But don't worry, you won't need your umbrella for this one). 
  Today is the last day to sign the petition to pass new regulations releasing food trucks, which operate under archaic ice cream truck laws, license to roam the DC streets without fear of harassment or routine stops. In essence, help them help you and your tummy. Support the Food Trucks!! I know I do :0) 
Visit www.passnewregs.org

Curbside Cupcake

Curbside Cupcake

Location: Food Truck (varies) Washington, DC

Flavors: Lemon & Vanilla Classic

Price: $3

Score: 4.75

Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcake

I was geeked when I first heard about Truckeroo! It’s a food-lover’s dream! This is where area food trucks come together to hock their digestible wares in a centralized location. Given the recent cupcake craze, it didn’t take long for them to also be sold out of a moving vehicle. 


When I first went to Truckeroo in July, Curbside Cupcake was sold out (ain’t that a *beep*). The second time around I was prepared. I got there much earlier and with flat-soled shoes. Once in line, their outdoor menu denoted that there were only four flavors left: vanilla, chocolate, lemon and snicker doodle (whittled down from the original 8 that were offered that day).

Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcake

As expected the line was ridiculously long but moved very fast. Manning the truck was one-half of the husband and wife duo who own the truck. When I placed my order, I had my money in hand, and my order ready: “One vanilla and one lemon please!” The service was friendly, fast and efficient with the total transaction time under one minute! (Hey, that rhymes!)

One thing that I can say about Curbside is that they are classic! Their vanilla cupcake had a homemade appeal which I enjoy. Not overdone, moist, and classic at best. Their flavors are traditional such as vanilla (not Madagascan vanilla bean with shaved cinnamon bark), but simply vanilla. When dealing in cupcakes overkill should be a crime. The beauty of cupcakes is their individual simplicity. Save the layered experience for an actual cake which allows for nuances like Madagascan vanilla bean with shaved cinnamon bark.

Coconut Key-Lime (Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcake)

Next up was the lemon. This one was the star in the lineup. The lemon frosting was fresh but not zesty (which is good). The cake was moist, appreciative and had great texture. The size was appropriate for the price tag and appeared to be what a cupcake should be: a treat and not a decorative ornament.

Although there were only three flavors left at Truckeroo, Curbside definitely offered variety. I was no less than pleased with my purchase however, like a true cupcake fan, I was disheartened that they have no centralized location. Like other food trucks they must be stalked and hunted to get the goods. Luckily there’s twitter! Follow their pink trucks (three to be exact) on Twitter @curbsidecupcakes to know where they are and what they are offering. 


Happy Eating!

*Originally published August 2011