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!