Dragonfly Desserts

Clockwise: Peanut Butter Cup, Hummingbird, Turtle
 and Pineapple Right Side-Up

Location: Dragon Fly Desserts Waldorf, MD (Delivery)

Flavors: Sweet Potato, Peanut Butter Cup, Hummingbird, Turtle and Pineapple 

Cost: $20 per dozen 

Score: 4

Dragonfly Desserts is a delivery based cupcake shop based out of Waldorf, MD. Owned by Justin and Kim ( a DC police officer and a retired nurse), the husband and wife duo took their small cupcake business full scale after renovating their house to include an industrial kitchen and turning their garage into a complete work space. But that's what happens when you get over 18 dozen orders a day from the DC police force alone. 

Dragon Fly Dessets: Pineapple Surprise and Turtle Candy

On this chilly Friday morning, Justin delivered a half dozen of their best flavors: hummingbird, sweet potato, turtle, pineapple right-side up, and peanut butter cup. Although my cupcakes were gifted, a traditional dozen retails for $20 with no delivery fee. Their menu boasts 44 flavors with all flavors featuring their signature cream cheese frosting (although it can be substituted for buttercream upon request). 

Pineapple Right Side-Up cupcake with cherry center

The first cupcake that I tried was the pineapple right side-up cake. Not only are pineapple cupcakes my favorite but this cake offered a surprise maraschino cherry in the middle-Score! The Critic loves maraschino cherries! Next up was the sweet potato cupcake which was super moist and had a very homemade feel about it. My pineapple cupcake had hints of Betty Crocker (tsk,tsk) so I was pleased to see that this one was more authentic.

Dragonfly Desserts' Sweet Potato Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of Dragonfly Desserts)

The hummingbird cupcake was a real delight because I had never had one before. I was curios to try their flavor and see what all of the fuss was about. But the cupcake didn't disappoint. There was a perfect balance of flavor, texture and their signature cream cheese. I found myself wanting another one when finished. 


Thereafter was the Turtle cupcake which I found to be inventive. It was a chocolate cupcake with a cream cheese frosting and a caramel and pecan drizzle. Not bad for a very ambitious venture. It was moist and had a signature feel. 

L-R: Hummingbird Cupcake and a Turtle Cupcake

My final and favorite cupcake was the peanut butter cup cupcake. Traditionally I'm not prone to exotic flavors but this cupcake was so good I wanted another! The peanut butter frosting was smooth and not to husky. The chocolate cake was moist and had the perfect amount of peanut chips (which can be redundant unless you adore peanut butter). 

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of  Dragonfly Desserts)

Overall I enjoyed my 6 pack and was happy that Justin assured me that if I ever found myself cupcake-less in Prince George's to give him a call. It's nice to know you've got 'people'. Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

Bite Me Bakery

My box of cupcakes! (Photos courtesy of Bite Me Bakery

Location: Bite Me Bakery (Delivery to DC/MD/VA)

Flavors: Baklava, strawberry short cake, pina-colada, ube, chocolate mousse and berries & cream

Score: 4.4


Based in Waldorf, MD, I first heard about Bite Me bakery on Twitter after seeing a pic of their baklava cupcake. I love baklava so to combine it with a cupcake is genius. After a few tweets and emails later, I had a dozen cupcakes delivered to me courtesy of cousins Erine and Richelle. The duo behind Bite Me share a love for baking that started early and was often lavished upon friends and family. Over time they decided that their culinary treats should be shared with the world.  

The Signature Ube Cupcake  

Although my treats were gifted, a dozen cupcakes costs $24 per dozen ($2 per cupcake-not bad) and require a three-day turnaround time. Their flavors range from lemon on lemon cream cheese to white chocolate macadamia nut and peanut butter cream.  This day, I would be fortunate to try 6 of their flavors: baklava, strawberry short cake, pina-colada, signature ube, chocolate mousse and berries and cream (white chocolate with raspberry cream-cheese frosting).

The Baklava Cupcake-Yum! (Photo courtesy of Bite Me Bakery)

Having only begun in January, I would have presumed that they were in business longer due to the level of craftsmanship. Up first was the baklava cupcake which, after I took my first bite, I knew that I would love forever. The phyllo dough was perfectly crisp and although a bit sweet, the honey butter cream frosting will melt on your tongue.  Bite Me won in both execution and flavor for that one. Next was the chocolate mousses cupcake which was THE BOMB! It’s moist, flavorful and actually tasted like a chocolate mousse: whipped, creamy and light.

Chocolate Mousse Cupcake w/ Malt Chocolate Frosting

I was excited about the pina-colada cupcakes (a Critic favorite), which had actual coconut and even hints of pineapple in each bite. Each time that I bit into it, I thought that the flavor would become monotonous but it never did. The strawberry short cake cupcake was also awesome! The cake was topped with whipped clouds of (almost coconut flavored) cream and laced with delicate strawberries.  My only complaint would be that the cake part was a bit dense but I believe that was purposefully done to replicate the texture found in the actual dessert.

The Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake (Photo courtesy of Bite Me Bakery)

My next cupcake was the berries and cream cupcake. I must preface that traditionally The Critic doesn't like raspberry anything however, the cream cheese frosting was bursting with flavor but maintained a delicate texture. The cake was moist enough but unlike the strawberry short cake, it really needed to be fluffy. Finally, the signature ube cupcakes were good but lacked flavor or anything distinctive so feel free to pass.

Overall the cupcakes were ahead of the class and should not be missed. They have a flavor that is skilled but doesn’t lose what a cupcake is all about- loving goodness!  Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

Fresh Bakery: Arundel Mills Mall

Kiosk cupcake display/ chandelier

Location: Fresh Bakery 7000 Arundel Mills Circle Hanover, MD

Flavors: Lemon, Pina-Colada, Vanilla on Chocolate

Cost: $3.50

Score: 3.8

Recently, I was given a tip from the cupcake-loving community to check out Fresh bakery; a Maryland based bakery with kiosks in Arundel Mills, Columbia and Owings Mills Mall. Feigning to hit up the new Coach store, I sojourned to Arundel Mills Mall. Located between the food court and TJ Maxx, I accidentally walked past the small vendor’s cart. Decorated with an elaborate chandelier and small jewelry boxes housing cupcakes, their décor was attractive but didn’t shout- "Cupcakes are sold here”.

Photos courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Photos courtesy of Fresh Bakery

It was a Sunday and at the end of the day so I was concerned about the selection and freshness. The cashier assured me that the goods were baked fresh that morning. Circling the kiosk I saw chocolate on chocolate, vanilla on chocolate, orange dreamsicle, lemon on lemon, pina colada and red velvet. I went with my standards: lemon, pina colada/coconut and vanilla on chocolate. My treats were housed in a simple plain white box and much to my chagrin, no pretty bag or memento.

Prior to leaving the parking lot, I tore into the pina colada cupcake which would be my favorite of the bunch! The cupcake was rich with a moist texture that was flavorful but not overpowering. The cake and the frosting didn’t fight one another but worked in harmony. Although I detected a hint of Betty Crocker box cake mix that had been doctored up, they still got my vote for the “this could have been baked in my grandmother’s kitchen” (and no one’s cupcakes will ever compare to the ones prepared in my grandmother’s kitchen).

Photo courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Photo courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Next up was the chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. I really enjoyed this cupcake as the chocolate was rich and the frosting was, as Charlie Sheen would say, ‘Winning’! I didn’t do the ‘Dougie’ but perhaps a mild Kappa shiver was in order. Finally the lemon cupcake was fresh and well, exciting (cue Kool & the Gang). Moist in texture but big on flavor without overpowering itself, and frosting that would have you wondering: “Why didn’t I get two?”

Regarding their customer service, I could only expect so much from the young lady who waited on me. It was the end of the evening and I was buying cupcakes from a kiosk in the mall. So the fact that she was on the phone for most of the transaction doesn’t really speak to the customer service but to the fact that I was buying cupcakes at a kiosk in an outlet mall. Further for $3.50 a pop and no swag bag for my loot with hints of boxed cake, I can’t give them a full 4 but may find myself back.

PS: Did I mention that their cupcakes are square? I know, cute right?

Sweet Bites Food Truck

Location: Sweetbites /DC Food Truck

Flavors: Pina Colada
Cost: $3
Score: 4.8

The Sweet Bites Truck (Photo courtesy of Sweet Bites)

I ventured over to Truckaroo this past Friday anxious to hit up Curbside Cupcakes and get a lobster roll from Redhook. While there I saw Sweet Bites Desserts and their pink yet unobtrusive, colored truck. Considering that the lines at Truckaroo rival a Rolling Stones concert, I was curious as to why there were no customers but the lights were on. As I approached the truck, I saw a nice lady eager to wait on whoever would walk by. I asked, “Do you still have cupcakes or are you closed?” She perked up, “No, we’re open but we only have pina colada” SCORE!

Pina colada cupcake scored from Truckaroo

Sweet Bites service is impeccable! Their uniforms were both neat and clean. I didn’t feel like, “Please ma’am, tell me that you’ve bathed and had a recent STD test prior to baking/cooking or serving me my food”. Served in a cute white bag with a logo sticker equally as cute, I couldn’t wait to dig in.

Photo Courtesy of Sweet Bites Desserts

Traditionally coconut or pina colada cupcakes follow standard fare: hit coconut, make a left at pineapple and make a U on extra sweet, but not Sweet Bites. They actually made a Pina Colada cupcake! I could taste the liquor and even felt a little buzz within my first bite. It was fresh, crisp and not a cheap imitation with chewy penny candy flavoring. Not too crumbly. Not too moist. The cupcake just melted in your mouth. As far as I was concerned Sweet Bites was bonafied.

Photo courtesy of Sweet Bites 

According to their website they have 10 cupcake flavors. In addition they carry muffins, tarts and dessert bars. The only reason that they didn’t get a 5 is because they did only have one flavor left so I can’t comment on their variety. Further they do serve food out of a truck which means if you want to taste these delectable bites, you must follow them on twitter (@sweetbitestruck). There you can find out where they are and what flavors they have in store. But if the pina colada was any indication, you won’t be disappointed!

*Originally published in July 2011