Sweet Themez Bakery Celebrates Adams Morgan Day

DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Adams Morgan bakery, Sweet Themez, celebrated Adams Morgan Day by cooking up some of their yummy cakes and cupcakes. Owners Adrienne and Maurice were featured on Fox 5 this morning and showcased one of my favorites: their Louis Vuitton cupcakes. Adrienne, Sweet Themez's chief baker, also had her flavorful cake pops on hand. Their red velvet cake pops are also my favorite due to their size (imagine a cupcake on a stick), moist texture and flavor. 

Check out my review of their shop and then taste the real thing at the DC to NYC Cupcake Happy Hour hosted by yours truly on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 6-9PM at the Blue Banana Sports bar. Sweet Themez will be providing some of my favorites: Grandma's Pound Cake cupcakes, vegan red velvet, and Sweet Satisfaction (a caramel turtle cupcake). Be one of the first 25 people there to receive a gift bag complete with a red velvet cake pop. Don't miss it! 

                        

Treat Yo’Self

DJ Keenan Orr Spinnin' (Copyright The Cupcake Critic)

Earlier this month I attended Treat Yo’ Self! which is the collaborative efforts of One Love Massive and Crunkcakes.  The name is a spin-off of a popular story line from the NBC comedy, Parks & Recreation. The artisans’ market was held at the Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan and featured DJ Keenan Orr.  Drinks were poured while warm stuffed pizza flowed on every bar corner and eager buyers looked through the wares of the many talented vendors.

The Crunkcakes Table

When I walked in, I was immediately greeted with vendors ranging from food to jewelry to art work. To the left were the ladies of Crunkcakes and their new treats, The Biggie Smalls. I bought two cuppies; one buttery nipple (my favorite) and the maple bacon (hmmm…bacon). The salty and sweet mixture was awesome!

Original artwork by B. Doty

Original artwork by C. Cafferty

In the corner was original artwork by Brittany Doty and Caroline Cafferty; budding artists who were more than eager to share the inspiration for their artwork. Many of the pieces ranged from vampy re-creations of Blondie or Marilyn Monroe, to dark pieces that could rival Tim Burton’s best films. Next door was DC Patisserie whom my sister (and Critic in training), purchased a dozen of their macarons from and enjoyed thoroughly.

DC Patissiere Macarons

DC Patissiere Vendor

On the other side of Crunkcakes, I spotted K &M Cupcakes. They offered cupcakes, red velvet heart-shaped brownies and cookies. Fab Fete is a new-comer who offered homemade hummus, caramel corn and a variety of gluten-free cookies. Although The Critic has no issues with gluten, I appreciate vendors who cater to a diverse digestive track. My sister bought two containers of hummus while I purchased the cranberry and oatmeal cookies – they were umm-umm good!

K&M Cupcakes

Square in the center with an ornate display was DC new-comer Chica Bom Bom. They were selling brigadeiros, a Brazilian treat similar to a caramal bon bon and made with condensed milk. The owner explained to me their process of making them and had coconut, nutella and chocolate samples available.

Chica Bom Boms

Hazelnut, Nutella, Coconut and Chocolate Brigadeiros

Doubling back, I spoke with Rachel Pfeffer of Rachel Pfeffer Designs. The daughter of a jeweler, her collection had some awesome pieces including silver and brass statement necklaces and natural mineral rings to the tune of $113 and up. Despite being an all-cash event, many vendors accepted credit cards through portable scanners. Overall the event was awesome and the people of One Love Massive have outdone themselves again. 

Sweet Themez

Sweet Themez Sign (Photo courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

                      

 Location: Sweet Themez 2318 18th Street NW, Adams Morgan

Flavors: Lemon and Pound cake

Cost: $2.75

Score: 4.8

Located in the effervescent neighborhood of Adams Morgan, sits a delectable cupcake shop named Sweet Themez. The basement bakery offers up cupcakes and cake pops in flavors ranging from pound cake to peanut butter crunch and sweet potato.  In total, they have 15 daily flavors and 10 seasonal flavors (not including their gluten-free and vegan options).  

Several cupcake flavors! (Photos courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

Sitting a half mile from the DuPont Circle Metro station, taking the bus there would be ideal.  Parking in Adams Morgan is difficult but I found a space a block away.  Walking into the petite shop, I was immediately greeted by the store clerk. He was more than eager to take my order and had the calmness one would expect from your local bartender; telling him all your tales of woe and saying, “Barkeep…more pound cake please and keep’em coming”. He was cooler than cool.



              

                               Counter filled with cake pops (Photos courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)



Despite having so many options, I took the simple road and ordered the pound cake with butter cream frosting and raspberry swirl. It sounds complicated but trust me, it was oh so heavenly.  My secondary choice was my standard lemon.  My total for the two cupcakes was only $5.50! When I asked for a bag, the clerkpulled out a reusable bag that comes in a small carrying case and unfolds into a full shopping bag. That bag fascinated me like a two year-old playing with their mother’s pots.

My American Express Reusable Bag (Photos courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

I was even more surprised that they are open until 1AM (or until they run out), Thursday through Saturday! It reminded me of the many inebriated nights out when me and my friends, or my date, desperately desired a cupcake but knew we wouldn’t be able to score anything at such an ungodly hour. Problem. Solved.    

Eating these cupcakes made me happy. Traditionally pound cake isn’t served with frosting; maybe a fruit compote or powdered sugar but not frosting. The use of frosting fascinated me however this cupcake explained it all in one bite. The butter cream frosting quietly vindicated itself as it merged with the cake’s traditionally dense nature.  The raspberry jam converged with the notes of lemon and held up the overall flavor like a perfectly wrapped bow at Christmas. My present was the music this cupcake was making in my mouth.

(L-R) Lemon Cupcake & Poundcake Cupcake (Photos courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

The lemon cupcake was good as well. The texture was appropriate and the flavor was just right. However my only hang-up was that the frosting was more of a pudding than an actual butter cream base. However it didn’t deter me at all. Overall, Sweet Themez has found a deep place in my heart and I will be back again, and again, and again. Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

Sweet Themez Outdoor Sign (Photos courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)





The Cupcake Weekly #3

February 11, 2012

Georgetown Cupcake NYC

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

Georgetown Cupcake is opening a new store in SoHo! To commemorate their new location, they are adding three new cupcake flavors to the menu: apple, cheesecake and marble (after NYC's famed marble cookies). They will also top their cuppies with candy  Broadway signs, yellow Taxis and an apple.

February 12, 2012

Treat Yo Self!

The good folks over at One Love Massive and Crunkcakes are teaming up for a day of mimosas and fine leather goods…ok, not really but they are pulling together some of the coolest artisans, craftsmans and treat-makers in the city. Join them and special guest DJ Keenan Orr for a

Valentine’s Day pop-up shop at Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan. For more info, click here

Location: Mellow Mushroom

(2436 18th St NW)

Time: 12:00pm until 4:00pm

February 15 & 17

Sticky Fingers Debut Cookbook!

Sticky Fingers, DC’s favorite vegan bakery and two-time ‘Cupcake Wars’ winner, will be debuting their new cookbook, 'Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes'. (*Psst* They are the first vegan bakery in Cupcake Wars history to win!) Written by shop co-owner Doron Petersan, the book features 100 recipes and the secrets to their vegan delights. Anticipate the book on February 17. If you can’t wait that long Petersan will be hosting a live webinar from her alma mater, The University of Maryland to discuss the book. To register, click here

August 19-26

The Cupcake Cruise

Photo courtesy of Cupcakes Take the Cake

Pull out your passports Cupcake Lovers and get ready to sail to Bermuda! The good people over at 'Cupcakes Take The Cake' are sponsoring a seven-day Cupcake Cruise packed with cupcake work shops and guest speakers. Trip costs range from $1,000-$1,702 with a $99 deposit due immediately.

For more info, visit here


Do you have a cupcake event or news? E-mail me at DCCupcakeCritic@gmail.com to be included in the weekly round-up!

Sticky Fingers Bakery: 'Cupcake Wars' Viewing Party

January 15th 8pm on Food Network. Will they pull rank and win this war OR eat and retreat in defeat?

Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars in March 2011. This Sunday, the vegan baking duo from Columbia Heights will defend their title in Cupcake Wars All-Stars. Watch the episode with founder Doron Petersan and head baker Jenny Webb to find out if they’ll win this war or eat and retreat in defeat.

Viewing Party 7-10pm at Bourbon (2nd Floor) 2321 18th St NW, Washington DC. Cupcakes aplenty, no cover, and heckling encouraged!