DKNY Cupcake Inspired Perfume

Photo courtesy of DKNY

Before The Critic graduated to DVF, she was a die-hard Donna Karan fan (and still is)! Everything from DKNY clothing to fragrances (much of my 20's smelled like DKNY original and Cashmere Mist) to the overall philosophy that clothing should be comfortable, functional and elegant- I love Donna Karan. So to hear that she has a cupcake inspired fragrance collection called, DKNY Sweet Delicious, only deepens my kindred spirit with the woman and the brand. 


The collection, which debuted February 2012, features three scents: pink macaroon, creamy meringue and tarty lime. Pink macaroon has notes of nectarine, kumquat, rose marzipan, pomegranate, amber and tonka. Creamy meringue features notes of lemon cream, bergamont, 'crepe suzette' accord, freesia, passion flower, frangiopani, cedar, white amber and musk. The final fragrance, tart key line, integrates orange, bergamont, mandarin, neroli, ginger, basil and violet leaf. Presumably this is a continuation of Karan initial flirtation with dessert-inspired scents with her Candy Apples fragrance. 


The eau de parfume spray ranges from $38-$62 for 1-3.4 oz bottles- cupcakes not included. Sadly, it's only available at select retailers so I suggest a thorough internet search or visit here.

Bath & Body Works Frosted Cupcake Candle

Review: Slatkin & Co. Frosted Cupcake Candle
Location: Bath & Body Works (in stores or online)
Cost: $19.95
Score: 5

The new 'Frosted Cupcake' candle from Slatkin & Co, a subsidiary of Bath and Body Works, debuted this March in stores and online. I was excited when I first heard about the candle on Twitter from @LuvBBW. After contacting Slatkin & Co. for a sample, I was also able to score some extras for my readers! 

As soon as I got the candle in the mail I burned the 20 hour candle for about three hours. The three-wick, 14.5 ounces beauty gave off a freshly baked cupcake scent with hints of strawberry. The candle burned evenly and left a serene feeling in my home, as opposed to the overly sweet smell that I had anticipated. As a true candle lover and frequent candle purchaser, I deemed the price tag of $19.95 as more than fair. If you are a true Cupcake Lover, you won't be disappointed. Buy yours today!

*This product was gifted however did not persuade the reviewer's opinions.

Duncan Hines Frosting Creations

Photo Courtesy of Duncan Hines/Pinnacle Foods Group, LLC

Okay...okay...I know what you are saying to yourself, "The Critic HATES boxed-cake mix!!" And I do- when someone is making me pay for cupcakes that I could have made myself with the help of Misters Duncan and Hines. However, seeing as though The Critic is an avid purveyor of boxed cake mixes,  and several of my readers are culinary-challenged, I thought that this was a cool new product to share with you all. 


Frosting Creations is a new product from Duncan Hines. Basically, you purchase a starter kit which includes a tub of plain frosting and several flavor packets that you stir in to make a particular creation. Flavor packets include: strawberry, mint chocolate chip, bubble gum, cherry vanilla, caramel, white chocolate raspberry and cinnamon roll to name a few. Click here to see a video of how it works! Their website also features some cool recipes!


Happy Eating!

Silicone vs. Aluminum Baking Pans

Wilton Easy-Flex silicone bake ware

**Disclaimer**  I received no compensation for this product review. The products used were gifted for experimental use.
Product: Easy-Flex  silicone baking cups & Easy-Flex Silicone mini-muffin pan 
Where to buy: www.Wilton.com or where baking products are sold
Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 


It’s no secret that The Critic isn’t a baker however after combing the Wilton Company website for new gadgets, I came across the Easy-Flex silicone baking cups and the Easy-Flex mini-muffin pan. Being an aluminum pan gal myself, I wanted to test these  puppies out and gauge if silicone bake ware was a viable alternative to traditional aluminum baking pans. So, I contacted Wilton regarding my project and a few days later my pans were in the mail!

Staggered Baking Cups: Silicone vs. Paper

The 1st batch of cupcakes

Immediately, what I liked about the silicone bakeware is that it offered a reusable option that required minimum cleaning (just use hot soapy water). They can be placed in the dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator or freezer and they withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees. Also the cups can be used as gelatin and/or pudding molds. Although my bakeware was round, Wilton offers various shapes such as hearts, stars or animals. For storage they are flexible and require less space than my aluminum products.

Into the oven you go

When I received my package I was super-psyched to try them out. I immediately washed my cups and mini-muffin pan in hot soapy water as instructed. I then made a big batch of vanilla cupcake batter (from scratch mind you) and lined an aluminum muffin pan with both the silicone and traditional paper cups; staggering their placement for equal distribution. After I scooped out my gooey batter into the cups (willy-nilly like because I couldn’t find my scooper), I placed the cupcakes into a 350 degree oven for 17 minutes.

The toothpick test

Golden bottoms

Upon removal, I saw that the silicone cups didn’t pass the toothpick test.  The instruction sheet did note that temperature and cook times may vary compared to traditional pans. So, I placed them back in the oven for 5 more minutes.  When I took them out again the bottom of both cupcakes was browner than I had hoped. Also the flavor of the silicone-baked cupcakes was slightly different than the traditional cupcakes. The latter tasted more cupcake-y whereas the silicone cups tasted more like German-engineered efficiency.  

The 2nd batch was much better

On my second batch I only used silicone cups; I increased the time, and filled them up to the ridgeline as suggested.  I also used a cooking spray which made the bottoms a perfect golden brown.  Upon removal, the cupcakes practically leaped out without a trace of debris. Size wise, the cupcakes baked in silicone cups were smaller than the one’s in traditional liners but they were perfectly portioned.

Filling the mini-muffin pan

Clean-up: just soak and rinse or place in dishwasher


As for the mini-muffin pan the cupcakes were petite, fully cooked and a perfect brown color however; they were cumbersome to remove and left lots of debris. I strongly suggest that you use cooking spray-which I neglected to do-for optimal results.  Overall I really like the silicone baking cups for their ease of use, simple clean-up and the reusable option. Further at only $9.99* per set, it beats having to stockpile traditional paper cups!


 Purchase your set of Wilton Easy-Flex silicone cups or mini-muffin pan today!

           

                                                      

Cuppy Tattoo Shoe

Move over Loubou's...here come cupcake tattoo shoes!! For only $189 a pair, you can grab a pair of these hand painted and airbrushed shoes to show your love for cupcakes (and probably tattoes)! Click Here...

Cupcake Vodka

Cupcake Vodka Anyone?

There’s a new vodka in town and it’s flavor infused with CUPCAKES! Complete with four sumptuous flavors: lemon chiffon, frosting, original and devils food! Check out the recipe below for a’Cupcake Cabana’ featuring the Lemon Chiffon vodka.

Ingredients2 oz Cupcake Chiffon Vodka
1 Med Sized Chunk of Pineapple
1.5 oz Passion Fruit Nectar
1 Small Chunk of Banana
Perrier® or Soda Water

Preparation
Muddle the banana and the pineapple in a mixing glass with the Cupcake Chiffon vodka. Add ice and the passion fruit nectar and shake vigorously. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with Perrier® or soda water.

For more info visit: http://www.cupcakevodka.com/

*Originally Published September 2011