Sticky Fingers' Bakery Debuts New Flavors

L-R: Chocolate Strawberry, Choc/Caramel Pretzel,
Orange Chocolate. Photo Credit: Sticky Fingers

Just in time for Valentine's day, Sticky Fingers Bakery is unveiling new flavors including:

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcake: our light vanilla cake filled with strawberry sauce, strawberry frosting dipped in a luscious chocolate coating and drizzled in white chocolate. $4.00 each, in-store only.

Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cupcake: rich, chocolate cake with pretzel bits baked into the batter, salted caramel frosting topped off with a chocolate-dipped pretzel. $4.00 each, in-store only. (Gluten-free option available if you call in advance!)

Orange Chocolate Cupcake; rich chocolate cake dipped in orange ganache topped with candied orange peel. $3.50 each, in-store only.

Pick-up yours today! 
Sticky Fingers Bakery, 1370 Park Road NW Washington, DC

Happy New Year!

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 Overall) held 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 ceremony, I got to visit Baked by Melissa, Crumbs (Times Square), Dylan's Candy Bar, Magnolia Bakery (Hail Mary) and Make My Cake. Somewhere 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? 

Sticky Fingers Bakery's Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Cupcakes

Chocolate peppermint vegan cupcakes

I'm always looking for yummy recipes for my Cupcake Lovers and these chocolate peppermint cupcakes celebrate the holidays and satisfy your sweet-tooth. The recipe comes from Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers Bakery in Columbia Heights, DC.  Get this and other recipes from Petersan's new book, Sticky Fingers Sweets: 100 Super Secret Recipes. You can also pick up your own box of chocolate peppermint cupcakes from Sticky Fingers Bakery  for $39. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/2 cup brewed and cooled coffee
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons vinegar

FROSTING INGREDIENTS BELOW:

• 1 (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) Earth Balance Natural Shortening
• 1 (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) Earth Balance Buttery Spread
• 4 1/2 cups 10x powdered sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 tablespoons (2 to 4 tablespoons) Earth Balance Soy Milk, as needed
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 1/4 cup crushed candy-canes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Line two 9 inch round cake pans with parchment. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a medium-size bowl. Set the bowl aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, coffee, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just incorporated. Add vinegar and incorporate. Do not over mix the batter.
3. Fill the 12 standard cupcake cups 3/4-full and bake for 19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into each cupcake comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes completely.
4. To make frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip Earth Balance shortening and Buttery Spread with the paddle attachment until completely combined. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure that all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. On low speed, slowly add sugar a little at a time. Once the sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla, peppermint extract and soymilk, and mix on low until the liquids are incorporated. Scrape the bottom of the bowl, and mix on medium-high speed until all ingredients are combined and frosting is fluffy, about 2 minutes.
5. Pipe frosting onto cupcake with a pastry bag, or spread with a spatula. Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and enjoy. Store any extra frosting in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.

Original recipe found here

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Meet Doron Petersan at DC VegFest

Sticky Fingers' Cupcake-Eating Contest/
Photo courtesy of DC VegFest

Meet Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers Bakery, at the 2012 DC VegFest. The two-time Cupcake Wars Winner will be signing copies of her new cookbook: Sticky Fingers Sweets: 100 Super Secret Vegan Recipes. Stop by the Sticky Fingers booth for some treats and savories then sign up for their cupcake-eating contest. 

When: Saturday, September 22, 2012
Where: Yards Park, 10 Water Street SE, DC
Time: 11AM until 6PM
Cost: FREE

                                                      

Meet Doron Petersan at the Natural Product Expo East

Photo courtesy of Sticky Fingers Bakery

Meet Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers Bakery and 2-time Cupcake Wars Winner, at the Natural Product Expo East in Baltimore, MD on Friday September 21st, at 1PM. She will signing copies of her new book, Sticky Fingers Sweets: 100 Super Secret Vegan Recipes, at the Earth Balance booth. The Natural Product Expo East will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center. For more information visit their site here. 

                                                         

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

Cookbooks for Critics

The Critic's Bacon Maple Pancake Cupcakes

It's no secret that The Critic isn't a baker. Primarily because I am culinary challenged despite being an awesome cook. Daily I scour the internet searching for products that will either make me better or mask my infamous fake and bake (homemade frosting on top of box-mix cakes). I'm thinking if I had the culinary prowess of the Georgetown Cupcake sisters or the ingenuity of Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers Bakery, I could be better. Welp, ponder no further Cupcake Lovers- these culinary conquerors have books! Here are some of the books in The Critic's library that are helping her improve her *ahem* whip appeal. Enjoy!

Doron Petersan at National Harbor Wine & Food Festival

A few months back, I had the chance to sit down and talk with Doron Petersan as well as review her bakery, Sticky Fingers Bakery, located in Columbia Heights. Since then she's been on a whirlwind PR tour for her new book, 'Sticky Fingers' Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes'. This two-time Cupcake Wars champion (and Patron Saint of vegans worldwide) will be signing her new book on May 5, 20102 at the following locations...check it out! 

Cinco de Mayo celebration at Bandolero at Tackle Box
3407 Connecticut Avenue, NW
May 5, 5-7pm





National Harbor Wine and Food  Festival, Viking Stage
cupcake demo and sampling, with books for purchase and signing
May 5, 1:30pm

Books will be available for purchase and to have her sign. In the meantime, you can also order a copy from Amazon.com:

                                                                      

The Cupcake Weekly #5

February 20: Sticky Fingers' Sweets Book Signing

Join Doron Petersan, founder of Sticky Fingers Bakery and author of 'Sticky Fingers' Sweets! 100 Super-secret vegan recipes', as she discusses and signs her new book. Books will be available for signing & treats for munching.  

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Busboys & Poets 2021 14th St NW (U St) 

March 17: Cupcakes & Cocktails

Our friends at Tweets Sweets will be sponsoring, Cupcakes & Cocktails benefitting local charities. Enjoy 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! 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.

Sticky Fingers Bakery

Location: Sticky Fingers Bakery (1370 Park Rd NW)

Flavors: Coconut Delight and Carrot Cake
Cost: $2.50-$2.75
Score: 5

At some point, in all of our lives, we’ve been stereotyped or have stereotyped people, places and things. I’ve definitely stereotyped food; vegan food in fact. I have avoided this review for some time because I had thoughts of tree-hugging, granola-eating yuppies serving me overpriced and bland cupcakes. To be honest I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Sticky Fingers Bakery. However if there’s one thing that Sticky Fingers personifies is that labels need not apply here!

Sticky Fingers Bakery in Columbia Heights 

Located within steps of the Columbia Heights metro station I found metered street parking directly in front of the bakery. Filled to the brim with urban hipsters, everyday people, and yuppies alike, I saw a young woman in a Barnard sweatshirt while another woman posted on the wall with her collie- Summer. The staff quickly filled orders as the restaurant ebbed and flowed with hungry customers eager to engage in the affordable ($4.99) Sunday brunch. In the corner, a patron dropped a bottle of hot sauce and within seconds the mess is cleaned and the bottle is replaced.

Yummy cupakes that are also vegan

 

The glass case holding all of Sticky Fingers’ treasures ranged from carrot cake, double chocolate, chocolate raspberry, peanut butter, and coconut delight to name a few. I ordered the coconut delight cupcake and a carrot cake cupcake priced sweetly at $2.50 each. The best treat was meeting bakery owner Doron Petersan.  

Author & Founder Doron Petersan

One of the first things that I noticed about Petersan is that she is extremely genuine, very pretty and passionate about her business. While we talked in her shop, three different customers came over to express their absolute adoration for her and her bakery. Like her winning cakes, her brand is rock-star status but she exuded unaffected graces. 

Petersan and 'The Critic' smiling for the camera

Most people became familiar with Petersan while she was a contestant on Cupcake Wars and stood out in her 1950's look, complete with tattoos and Chanel red lipstick. That day Petersan wore sweatpants, a comfy Sunday sweater, and there was no Chanel in sight. A newly minted mom, she showed me pictures of her 7 month old son, Ezra, whose bottom teeth are sprouting. We swapped stories of college, (she has a degree in Dietetics from the University of Maryland and her husband is a non-profit attorney), the obstacles of women in business, and what makes a good cupcake. 

“At the end of the day, either it’s a good cupcake or it’s not. It shouldn’t matter if it’s vegan” ~ D. Petersan 

As a critic, you can find yourself in the quandary of liking the shop and the owner but not liking their cupcakes. It’s a dilemma. I prayed that this would not be the case- and it wasn't. 

Biting into the coconut delight I paused and said aloud, “This is a good a** cupcake!” Mind you, The Critic isn't prone to potty mouth. The flavor of the frosting was delectable and the texture immaculate. The cake was moist and the flavor perfect. It replicated the loving desserts that my grandmother made but my grandmother wasn’t a vegan. I quickly tore into my other cupcake and found it equally as enjoyable (although the after taste left hints of Olive oil). The carrot cake’s frosting was rich and the cake soft; not overrun with raisins which I like.

Internally I questioned,”How did she do this with no butter, eggs, or milk?” Fortunately for us Petersan is sharing all her secrets to baking in her new book, ‘Sticky Fingers’ Sweets: 100 Super-Secret vegan recipes’. More importantly, the good people at Penguin publishing will be giving two of my readers signed and personalized copies of the book (for contest rules click here).

Looking back on my time spent with Petersan and at the bakery, I learned that different shouldn’t be avoided and to prejudge or label anything is depriving one's self of something new. In this case, it meant depriving myself of some good arse cupcakes!