Houston Slated to Get the next Cupcake ATM

A few months back I reported that DC would be getting their very own Sprinkles Cupcake ATM this summer. Well Cupcake Lovers, according to The Houston Chronicle it looks like H-town is ahead of us in getting that sweet-sweet cupcake goodness around the clock. Bummers...but the bright side is that we are still on track to get a Cupcake ATM and...Buzz Bakery is coming to DC! Until then, you have to stand in line with the tourists and bit your bottom lip... 


What say you Cupcake Lovers? Are you bummed? The Critic is listening....


CC: Cupcakes Take the Cake Blog

Cupcake Project #24: Cupcake Kabobs

Photo courtesy of The Mom Blog

I loooove a good BBQ! It's the only social event where you can eat food with your hands and be as sloppy as you dare without the side-eye fear of social ridicule. With the Fourth well underway, I thought that this fun and festive recipe would be perfect for celebrating the country's independence. Besides, what's more American than cupcakes? This cupcake kabob recipe is so easy, even a Critic can do it. Check it out!

Ingredients

• White cake cupcakes 
• Red Velvet cupcakes
• Blue food coloring 
• Large marshmallows
• ¼ cup of water
• White frosting (your recipe or container of Funfetti 4th of July frosting)
• Bamboo skewers
• Assorted sprinkles and colored sugars in patriotic colors
• Fruit –- strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas whichever you prefer

Photo courtesy of The Mom Blog

Prepare

Put the white frosting in a bowl and microwave until soft and smooth, about 15 seconds. Pour the sprinkles in separate bowls. For these kabobs, I used 3 bowls –1 for red sugar, 1 for blue sugar, and 1 for a mix of red, white and blue sprinkles and nonpareils. Get ¼ cup of water. You can leave this in the measuring cup. Put the large marshmallows in a bowl. Cut up your fruit into bite size pieces. Put your cooled cupcakes on a plate.

Take a mini cupcake and dip the top into the warmed frosting. Then dip into the sprinkles. Do this with all the mini cupcakes. You may need to reheat the frosting if the cupcakes start to get stuck in the bowl. Just reheat in 10-second increments until it’s smooth again. Keep dipping until all the cupcakes are done.

Grab a large marshmallow and dip one end into the water. Let any excess water drip off then dip one end into the red colored sugar. Turn it over and dip the other end into the water. Let excess water drop off then dip into the blue colored sugar. Set aside to dry.

Photo courtesy of The Mom Blog

Assemble 

Take one bamboo skewer in your hand and slide a red cupcake down leaving at least 1” of skewer in your hand. Next, slide a marshmallow down, then a piece of fruit (for this skewer I used strawberries). Take a white cupcake and slide that down on top of the piece of fruit, followed with a marshmallow and another piece of fruit. Top the skewer off with the blue cupcake. Continue this until you’ve made as many skewers as you’d like.

Photo courtesy of The Mom Blog

Original recipe can be found here

Buzz Bakery is Opening in DC!

Buzz Ballston Location
Photo copyright of The Cupcake Critic

According to the Capitol Riverfront website, Buzz Bakery will be opening a new bakery and lounge in 2012 or early 2013 at 300 Tingey Street in SE Washington, DC. Joining their two existing stores, this location will also be helmed by award-winning Chef Tiffany MacIsaac. The 875 square foot facility will occupy the renovated Boilmaker Building near Forest City Washington's Yards Development.

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Niccolo Cupcake Tie by Ferragamo

 Salvatore Ferragamo Cupcake Tie/ Photo courtesy of  Lyst.com

Who knew cupcakes had invaded the fashion elite? Uber men's designer Salvatore Ferragamo has a Niccolo cupcake tie that features tiny cupcakes in  periwinkle blue or canary yellow and is 100% silk. The extremely tres chic neck piece retails for $180 but good luck on getting your hands on one. According to Bloomingdale's website the popular item is currently sold-out. 

The Park Lane Cupcake Necklace Giveaway

Photo courtesy of Park Lane Jewelry

Recently, Debbie Eggleston of Park Lane Jewelry sent me a pic of this beautiful cupcake necklace. The necklace is a hand-enameled cupcake necklace with white vanilla frosting and multi-colored spinkles.  It's highlighted with genuine Swarvoski crystals and dangles from an adjustable 14-16 inch chain and retails for $30. Park Lane Jewelry has also created a matching bracelet ($14) and earrings ($20) to finish the set. It even comes in a cute cupcake-shaped box! Order yours today from Debbie or...enter to win this necklace as part of The Cupcake Critic's Summer Giveaway!

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Cupcake Project #23: Georgetown Cupcake's Easy Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

With a new store in Boston and three existing stores in Bethesda, Georgetown and New York, it's safe to say that the sisters Kallinis-LaMontage know what they are doing. The stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes are true aficiandos with some of the best buttercream and cream cheese frosting around these parts. This simple four ingredient recipe is so easy that even a Critic can do it! Enjoy!

Jimmy Likes Cupcakes! (Drake visits Georgetown's Sprinkles)

According to The Washington Examiner, yesterday Rapper/Producer/Actor Drake (nee Aubrey Graham) stopped by Sprinkles in Georgetown to pick up cupcakes. Flanked with a muscular entourage(and a curvy lady), should I even mention last week's nasty bar brawl in New York with Rihanna's other Ex fellow cupcake-lover Chris Brown? Nope, we're a cupcake blog not an ad rag, but hearing that Drake visited Sprinkles for a cupcake fix after popping bottles the night before at Eden isn't surprising. Sprinkles is a haven for stars and starlettes and I'm thanking him now for leaving it in tact. Way to go Jimmy!

Photo courtesy of Degrassi.Wikia.com

*Update* According to Fishbowl DC, Sprinkles couldn't confirm if Drake had in fact visited their Georgetown location and The Washington Examiner - whom The Critic based their post upon- will be writing a correction. Read more here

                                            

Chic but Cheap Cupcakes

Photo courtesy of Cupcake4Today.wordpress.com

Recently, my younger sister Shelby celebrated her 20th birthday-Happy Birthday Pooh! Grabbing a dozen if not two dozen cupcakes to celebrate became a challenge and despite being a Critic, I still shell out for cupcakes. With the average cupcake hovering around $3 bucks or more, buying cupcakes for a simple soiree can get pricey. However after careful research I found some chic yet cheap cupcakes for your next shindig. 

Here's the list:

Georgetown Cupcake 

Price: $2.75 ea. or $29 per dozen 

Location: Bethesda or Georgetown, DC

Tip: Order online or call and pick-up to avoid lines. Bethesda is the best option with better parking. Also local delivery is available for a fee.

The famous pink box with Georgetown Cupcake ribbon

Sweet Themez 

Price: $2.50 each or $28 per dozen

Location: Adams Morgan  

Tip: Sweet Themez is a full-service bakery that also specializes in custom wedding cakes. Chief baker and owner Adrian can create whatever your heart desires! Limited DC delivery is available for a fee ($15)

Sweet Themez in Adams Morgan

Buzz Bakery 

Price: $2.50-$3.50 

Location: Ballston and Fairfax 

Tip: Buzz Bakery offers a limited number of flavors in the $2.50 category so ask prior to ordering- unless you want to splurge :-)

Buzz Bakery's Ballson location

Olivia's Cupcake 

Price: $2.00 each or $24 per dozen

Location: Southeast, DC (Minnesota Ave.)

Tips: Definitely try their new alcohol-infused cupcakes featuring Patron, Bacardi, Nuvo and Circoc Peach, Red Berry, Coconut or Lemon. 

Olivia's Cupcake Chocolate & Buttercream Cupcake

Cakes Plus 

Price: $1.50 ea. and $16 per dozen 

Location: Laurel, MD

Tips: Great red velvet and vanilla cupcakes. 

Cakes Plus Vanilla Cupcake

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Diamond Cupcake Necklace

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Last week I got a text from Stacey, a pal of mine and author of the Travelinga Trips blog. She sent me a pic of a gold and diamond cupcake pendant going for about $189 from Macy's. Astonished, she asked me if I had seen anything like this. I assured Stacey that this was the tip of the iceberg in cupcake pandemonium. 

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Talk about a girl's best friend, cupcakes and diamonds! This 10Kt yellow gold beauty contains 15 sparkly round diamonds that act as frosting and dangles from an 18" chain. It even comes in a cute cupcake box! Pick up yours from Amazon.com for $190 bucks plus shipping and handling. 

Cupcake Project #22: Hole-In-One Cupcakes

Photo courtesy of Amy Hanten/TheCookingMom.com

With Father's Day coming up I thought that these would be the perfect cupcakes! My Dad was an avid golfer who loved nothing more than to spend his Sundays on the green. More than he loved golf, he loved food and was a great baker. But what I enjoy most about this recipe from TheCookingMom.com is the use of cake mix and we all know that's how the Critic rolls! Happy Father's Day Cupcake Lovers! 

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix, baked according to pkg. directions to make 24 cupcakes
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup green candy sprinkles
8 straws, cut in thirds
Colored paper
Tape
24 white gum balls
1 container white frosting

Directions:
Cool cupcakes and frost with white frosting. On about 3/4 of each cupcake, sprinkle graham cracker crumbs to make the sand trap. On the other 1/4, sprinkle with green sprinkles for the grass. Cut colored paper into flags. Write a number on each flag. Tape each flag to one end of the straw, poke into cupcake and place gumball on top of each.

Notes:
Makes 24 cupcakes.

Find original recipe post from TheCookingMom.com here 

The Butterscotch Shop

Mini Lemonade Cupcakes/ Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop

Review:  The Butterscotch Shop 

Location: Online/ Waldorf Farmer's Market 

Flavors: 14 Karot, What is that velvet?, Lemonade, Glory, and Sprinkle Me

Price: $20 per dozen

Score: 4.8

One of the challenges that bakers face is recreating the ‘magic’ with each batch.  Perfection gets sold while less-than-perfect gets tossed so; it’s a rare treat when you come across cupcakes that merge commercial uniformity with homemade goodness. To put it plainly, The Butterscotch Shop is the bomb!

Glory Pound Cake Cupcakes  /Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop 

On a sunny Saturday morning, I would be gifted a box of six cupcakes containing five flavors:  14 Karot, What is that velvet?, Lemonade, Glory, and Sprinkle Me. I coordinated a meeting with owner Brandiss Smith, to pick-up cupcakes from her booth at the annual BowieFest. Meeting Brandiss and her husband was an absolute pleasure and I watched as each customer was treated with patience and kid gloves.

Lemonade Sunflower Cupcake/ Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop 

Driving home with my cupcakes on the passenger side was so tempting but I refrained. Once I opened my cupcake container I immediately went for the lemonade cupcake which was the outlier in the group. The cake was crumbly and dense like it was a day old. The frosting was creamy but lifeless and didn't compliment the cake.

What is that Velvet? Cupcakes/ Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop

With a website that boasts over 20 different flavors and a dozen retailing for $20 (plus a small delivery fee), I knew that there was goodness somewhere in my container of cupcakes. I didn’t lose hope. I chose the Glory cupcake next and was instantly in heaven! The cupcake was blissful with a slight icing drizzle. The texture was moist but with the expected density of a pound cake.

Eager, I went for the What is that Velvet? cupcake which also had a moist texture and the perfect chocolate flavor. The icing was cream cheese, I believe, but it tasted like heaven on my tongue.  

Sprinkle Me Cupcakes/ Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop

Next up was the Sprinkle Me cupcake which was my favorite cupcake of the bunch. The texture was ultra-moist and flavorful. In fact, Butterscotch’s frosting is a true winner!  The homemade goodness is like nothing I’ve ever tasted on a commercial-grade cupcake. It reminded me of my grandmother's recipes which are hard to replicate (I know because I’ve tried).  Kudos to The Butterscotch Shop for that!

14 Karot Cupcake/ Photo Courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop

My final cupcake was the 14 Karot cupcake. What I loved most is that the cupcake wasn’t overrun with nuts or raisins which can get stuck in my teeth. Instead, biting into the carrot cake cupcake was delightfully moist, spiced to perfection, and that signature frosting acted as the bow on my cupcake present.

Look at all the sprinkles!/Photo courtesy of The Butterscotch Shop

Overall The Butterscotch Shop is amazing and there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how much I enjoyed these cupcakes. The best thing that you can do is visit them every Saturday at the Waldorf Farmer’s market from 9AM until 1 PM. Or place an order online and see for yourself the cupcake-goodness.

Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

*The cupcakes in this review were gifted however that did not persuade the thoughts of the reviewer. 

Win a Wilton Deluxe Practice Board!

Photo courtesy of Wilton Company

While visiting the Wilton website I came across their Deluxe Practice Board. Having already received the Dessert Decorator Pro, I knew that the Practice Board was the next step in perfecting my non-existent cake decorating craft. I'm old skool and not above slathering frosting on cupcakes with a butter knife and saying, "Dig in..." 

When my board arrived, I ripped it open like a kid at Christmas. The compact plastic kit is easy to store and came with over 80 practice pages. Simply sliding a new practice sheet into the clear flap case was a breeze and designed for ease of use. I filled my Dessert Decorator Pro and in minutes, I was curling my que's, puffing my sea-shells and squiggling my lines. 

As a beginner I wanted to start off slow and only tried a few practice sheets at a time. Even with the most diligent of work, Wilton gives you more than enough creative outlets to learn and try. The best feature of the the board is its easy clean-up. Just take a hot and soapy rag and wipe off the frosting; it will practically slide off. 

Pick up your practice board from Wilton's website (www.Wilton.com) for $29.99 (plus S&H) or enter to win The Cupcake Critic's Summer Giveaway below! Good Luck Cupcake Lovers!


*This product was gifted from Wilton and in no way swayed the opinions of the reviewer.

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The British are Coming! No...It's Georgetown Cupcake

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

The stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes and authors of The Cupcake Diaries are opening their fourth store in Boston. The store will be located on Newbury Street with a Grand Opening on June 16th at noon. Georgetown Cupcake will also be opening their fifth store this Fall in Los Angeles. In the meantime, you can watch the sisters Kallinis on DC Cupcakes every Friday @10PM on TLC. 

                                       

Cupcake Lovers' Weekend

Photo courtesy of  Orlando Attractions Magazine

The Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL will be hosting their annual Cupcake Lovers Weekend from June 15-16th. Cupcake Lovers will partake in various activities such as a cupcake bar, cupcake martinis, savory cupcakes, cupcake decorating tips and even a Cuppycake Kids Zone which will provide cupcake crafts for kids. The weekend is open to the public with cupcakes supplied by the Hilton's own pastry chefs. If you are in the Orlando area, it's definitely a must see! Check out video from last year's Cupcake Lovers' Weekend.

Cupcake Project #21: How to make a Cupcake Bouquet

Cupcakes bouquets are in! And I've been wanting to make one for a while now. It would mix my love for arts, crafts and cupcakes. Even though my cupcakes will be from a box, I am sooo happy to have my Wilton Dessert Decorator Pro along for the ride to make the cupcake frosting roses. Not to mention all the practice that I've been getting with my Wilton Practice Board. Hopefully, my bouquet will come out just how I want it so I can post pics! 

Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Cupcake Cards

Photo courtesy of The Paper Hug Factory

Known for her warmth, creativity and generally cheerful demeanor, Tyff Johnson is the owner and creator of The Paper Hug Factory. With the encouragement of friends and family, she opened The Paper Hug Factory a year ago and has grown to offer over 15 different designs! I've been fortunate to have known Tyff since college. 

Recently, The Paper Hug Factory put out a greeting card that features cupcakes! The hand made card features a strawberry cupcake sprinkled with chocolate stars on the front. The icing is hand-painted with pink acrylic paint on khaki paper and comes with a white envelope. The inside says, "Thanks" and leaves room for a personal message. Pick up a pack of 3 cards for $5 on Etsy today!

Who Has The Best Cupcakes in DC?

As you can imagine, wherever I go, I am asked, “Who has the best cupcakes in DC?” Of course I don't mind the question- after all that's what being a critic is about. But my response of, "It depends..." is never really what people want to hear. Allow me to expound. 

Fellow bloggers: (L-R) Stacey, Lauren and Stephanie 

On an eventful Thursday night I was catching up with some pals over cocktails at Tap & Parlor on U Street. DC Legend Chuck Brown's funeral was earlier that day so the place was jumping in celebration of a true hometown hero. Fellow blogger and pal Stacey, had given me the cutest cupcake picture which brought up the subject of cupcakes. 

My cupcake pic from Stacey

Our other pal and fellow blogger Lauren, asked me the infamous question, "So Steph...who has the best cupcakes in the city?" Her eyes were exacting as they looked at me over black-rimmed Chanel frames. I know Lauren well enough to know that their is no coy way of getting out of this one. "It depends..." was my most sincere answer. She pursed her lips and took a sip of her drink, albeit a bit annoyed, at the inconclusive answer. It's okay. It get that-alot. 

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Mag

To ask who has the best cupcakes would be like saying, “Who’s the greatest rapper of all time?” It’s such a broad statement whose answer is based upon so many variables and perspectives. To circumvent this people often move on to question number two when question number one has proven to be inconclusive, “So where do you go for your cupcake fix?” To which my honest reply is the same, “It depends…”

"I bet you get free cupcakes, don't you?" ~ Chris

Very often my personal decisions are based upon a few factors: my mood, proximity, cost, flavor availability, etc. As much as I would like to say that I am a card-carrying member of the 'Stephy-Gets-Free-Cupcakes-for-Life' club, bakers are business owners. And although I have a great working relationship with most of them (and they are more than eager to let me try their new flavors or just lob a few my way to say, “Thanks!”) I am still shelling out $3.50 a pop for cuppies which can get pricey.

                     "Do you know The Georgetown Cupcake girls?" ~ Evian

Overall the main contributor to where I go for cupcakes is usually dictated by one question: 

Do I feel like driving into DC for cupcakes? Because of that many suburban bakeries like Cakes Plus, Delectable Cakery and the new Cake Courtesan satisfy my cupcake cravings. Whenever I am in DC I go ga-ga for Sprinkles seasonal key-lime or strawberry cupcakes. And although Georgetown Cupcake is high on my list of delish, I dig that Sweet Themez in Adams Morgan is open late on weekends. So as I stated earlier, it all depends.

"I'm so over this cupcake thing...but I love your blog!" ~Anon

All in all each shop has something to offer in its own way, for each neighborhood, flavor aficionado, and at every price level. My goal is to act as a taste-tester and reporter of all the cupcake goodness that is flourishing in DC and beyond. I love the questions that people ask and encourage the dialogue but the most that you'll get out of me is, " I love them all in their own way" :-)  R.I.P Chuck Brown

Wilton Dessert Decorator Pro Giveaway

The Wilton Dessert Decorator Pro is the Grand Dame of cupcake decorators. This user-friendly device comes with 6 tips, 2 couplers, a dessert pro book and a handy dishwasher safe bag for your nozzles. Everything you need to make luscious desserts, tempting appetizers and eye-catching cakes. I received my very own Dessert Decorator Pro from Wilton last week and have been frosting ever since!  

First, I broke the device down to its core to see how many components we are talking here and how user-friendly is it. If I can understand the device, I can use it to full capacity. It's dishwasher safe designs and rotating cylinder  provides a very sturdy device that is easy to fill and clean. 

Once I put it back together I filled the silver cylinder with icing, placed it into the plastic holder and topped it with the ergonomic pump. I then placed the coupler and desired tip and was ready to frost. Gripping the handles just right, my fingers rested easy and with a few pumps to get the frosting down my cupcakes were being bathed in beautiful stars, swirls and even rose petals. 

The first cupcake that I frosted was a beauty. I was proud of myself and eagerly tried out the other tips. In total I used 5 of the 6 tips provided and had fun with it. No more hold bulky bags that can burst and even leak frosting. When I ran out of frosting, I was dismayed because the device was so much fun and made frosting a joy.

But after all my fun, it was time to clean up and I was eager to see how this thing stood up to my dishwasher. After breaking down the components and putting the tips in the dishwasher safe bag, I was pleased to see that the stainless steel cylinder and plastic components looked brand new upon completion. No streaking, spots or baked on frosting.

At the sweet price of $34.99, you can ditch the bags and pick-up this beauty from the Wilton Company store or enter below to win my giveaway for the Dessert Decorator Pro!!

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Georgetown Cupcake's Burger Cupcake

Photo courtesy of Never Turn Down a Cupcake 

Kicking off the summer season right, the sisters of Georgetown Cupcake (and TLC'S DC Cupcakes) have come up with a burger cupcake! Nestled between a deconstructed maple cupcake (the buns), is a chocolate patty topped with buttercream lettuce, ketchup and mustard. These custom cakes are individually wrapped in red-and-white checkered parchment paper and boxed in the infamous pink box. The burger cupcake will be available all summer long and must be pre-ordered. Can you say salivate? Can't wait to try!

The Blue Banana Cupcake

Stephanie and Adam enjoying cupcakes!

Okay, there is no such thing as the blue banana cupcake- that I know of. However, I was fortunate to win a $50 bar tab courtesy of The Blue Banana Sports & Rock Bar located on Georgia Avenue in DC. My good friend Mikey- who has accompanied me on other cupcake excursions- joined me to kick off Memorial Day weekend and to celebrate his birthday! Further, Crysty Luv of Lady Capital Cupcakes provided some awesome Patron-infused cupcakes for the auspicious occasion. 

Stephanie & Crysty Luv of Lady Capitol Cupcakes

I started things off with a pitcher of margaritas while my pals swigged Blue Moon. While there we noshed on The Blue Banana's $5 food menu consisting of waffle fries, chicken wings and tenders. Our bartender Adam kept us entertained as well as satiated. Even the owner, Jamie Hess, came by to enjoy a cupcake or two. 

The birthday boy Mike & his cousin Don

Owner  Jamie Hess & The Cupcake Critic; who was caught off guard

All in all, I had a ball and want to thank Jamie, Adam and the good folks at One Love Massive for taking great care of The Critic and her pals. When you get the chance, swing by The Blue Banana for happy hour. They're only one block from the Georgia Avenue metro with plenty of street parking and bike rails. More importantly they serve cheap food and good booze. 

Cupcake Project #20: Basic Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.com 

As a consummate Cupcake-Lover, sometimes, you just need a basic vanilla cupcake recipe. What I enjoy about a basic cupcake recipe is that you can dress it up or dress it down. I like to add strawberry jam to my recipe to make yummy strawberry cupcakes. You can also add yummy peppermint chips or chocolate candies-Yum. After much searching, my sister gave me a great vanilla cupcake recipe who got it from the Grande dame of crafts, Martha Stewart. 


Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups milk


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well. Add vanilla. Reduce speed to medium. Mix in 3 batches of flour mixture, alternating with 2 batches of milk. Raise speed to medium-high; mix until thorough blended, 10 to 20 seconds. 


2. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake until a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Let cool in tin on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from tin; let cool completely. Line tin with muffin cups; repeat process with remaining batter. 


3. Transfer buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip (such as Ateco #806). Pipe buttercream onto each cupcake in a spiral pattern, starting at the edges and ending with a peak in the center. 


The original recipe can be found here on MarthaStewart.com