And the Winner Is...The Best of 2012

Winner: Cakelove

Tie-Breaker: Aside from being wildly entertaining and informed about their cupcakes, one of the staff members at Cakelove had on a Wu-Tang Clan shirt with every member of the Wu-Tang Clan's names on it. I guess that's a fairly shallow reason to break a tie but do you know how many people are in the Wu-Tang Clan? Enough to put on a shirt. 

Congrats Cakelove!

R.I.P. Russell Jones

Winner: Georgetown Cupcake 

Tie-Breaker: The Sweet Lobby has amazing macarons and won Cupcake Wars' All-Stars with their MacTop creation. However Georgetown Cupcake cleverly debuted their cupcake hamburger at the start of the summer picnic/BBQ season and didn't forget the special sauce, poppy seed bun and cheese. But let's face it, food in the shape of others foods versus food on top of other foods is pretty creative. 

Congratulations Georgetown Cupcake!

Winner: Buzz Bakery 

Tie-Breaker: Baked and Wired has kickin' cool flavors like the Smurfette and the Fat Elvis that are beyond creative and big enough for two people. At the same time Buzz Bakery has the creative genius of Tiffany MacIssac who made an appearance on Sweet Genius. They also scored a 4.3 on their review compared to the 4 received by Baked and Wired. Overall both bakeries are awesome and yes, I gave Baked and Wired points for being next to a moat. Wait, that is a moat, right? 

Congratulations Buzz Bakery!

Best Cupcake Food Truck: Curbside Cupcake

Curbside Cupcake has a special place in every D.C. resident's heart as the first cupcake food truck. It's destined to go down in D.C. history with Marion Barry and  Ben's Chilli Bowl or Yum's carryout. With new locations in Pentagon City Mall and Union Square, they've revolutionized the food truck industry...lobbied and withstood city regulations and at the end of the day keep it classic.

Congratulations Curbside Cupcake!

Best Liquor Infused Cupcakes: Pretty Girl Cupcakery 

Pretty Girl Cupcakery is an oasis in the cupcake desert of Prince George's County, MD. They explore with various flavor choices but still keep it classy, San Diego. Their liquor-infused strawberry champagne cupcakes have been personally tested by yours truly (twice, don't judge me) and I am pleased as punch to congratulate them on their win!

Congratulations Pretty Girl Cupcakery!

Best New Bakery: Pretty Girl Cupcakery 

Pretty Girl Cupcakery is an exquisite cupcake shop located in suburban Maryland that is truly making its mark on the cupcake scene. They deliver on their promise with delightful waitstaff, innovative technology all housed in a perfectly pink and vanilla box shop. 

Congratulations Pretty Girl Cupcakery!

Best Online Bakery: The Butter Scotch Shop

The Butter Scotch Shop is one of my favorite online bakeries. Their moist and fluffy creations are reminiscent of my own grandmother's cupcakes; and that is hard to do. Owner Brandiss Smith creates each batch with love and delivers with a smile. 

Congratulations to The Butter Scotch Shop!

Best Vegan Cupcakes: Sticky Fingers Bakery

Although most shops have adopted handsome vegan and gluten-free offerings, Sticky Fingers Bakery in Columbia Heights, DC is the Vatican of veganism. It would be a travesty for them not to win this category. Further rockstar baker, owner, author, and two-time Cupcake Wars winner, Doron Petersan is the face of veganism in D.C. 

Congratulations Sticky Fingers Bakery!

Winner: Sprinkles Cupcakes

Tie-Breaker: Although I'm still steamed that DC doesn't have a Cupcake ATM or ice cream store, I am happy that they exist and are only a plane ride away. Further their expansion to the UAE is well, epic! But the true tie-breaker is their announcement of curbside service which makes the Critic very happy when attempting to park on those Georgetown Streets!

Congratulations Sprinkles Georgetown!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Cupcake Lovers! 2012 was a year for cupcakes and to commemorate such an awesome year, I've compiled a wrap-up of the highlights from 2012.

Buzz Bakery's Arlington Location
 Copyright of The Cupcake Critic

Treats from Cupcake Blvd in Crofton, MD

The Virginia based Buzz Bakery announces a new location in Southeast D.C.'s Yard development while food trucks like Curbside Cupcake and Cupcake Blvd. set-up brick and mortar shops in Pentagon City Mall, Union Market, and Crofton, MD. 

Warren Brown's Cakelove: How to Bake Cakes from Scratch

Cakelove's Toffee Crunch Cupcakes aka My Boo!

After closing Love Cafe (a U-street staple), Cakelove's Warren Brown pens another book entitled, Cakelove in the Morning and gives a portion of their toffee crunch cupcake sales (aka, My Boo!) to Hurricakes for Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts. 

Crunkcakes display table at Treat Yo' Self
Copyright of TheCupcakeCritic.com

Olivia's Cupcake Shop
Photo courtesy of Olivia's Cupakes

L-R: Raychel and Faith, the Ladies of Crunkcakes
Copyright The Cupcake Critic

Crunkcakes (last year's winner for Best Overall) held their first 'Treat Yo Self' pop-up shop featuring several artisans and other sweet-treat makers where they introduced two new flavors featuring DC Brau Craft Beer: the Brau Rickey and the Fat Cat.  Meanwhile Olivia's Cupcakes (last year's winner for 'Best Red Velvet Cupcakes') tinkers with getting a new food truck and introduces their now famous Ciroc cupcakes.  

The Kallinis Sisters at the LA Opening of Georgetown Cupcake
Copyright of Georgetown Cupcake

The sisters behind Georgetown Cupcake are on Season three of TLC's DC Cupcakes, have a new book called Sweet Celebrations, three new stores in L.A., New York, and Boston; and a baby on the way.

Penny Karas (owner of Hello Cupcake) holding the DC Lovechild
Copyright TheCupcakeCritic.com

The Winning MacTop by The Sweet Lobby

Hello Cupcake debuted their new line of Celebration Cakes as well as an alcohol-inspired new flavor called The DC LoveChild. Not to mention that their second location in Barrack's Row turned one! Neighboring cupcake shop, The Sweet Lobby, won Cupcake Wars and introduced a new cupcake called the MacTop which combines their famous macarons on top of a cupcake. 

SweetBuds Bakery Food Truck at the Bowie Fest

Pretty Girl Cupcakery opens in Hyattsville, MD

Meanwhile new shops like The Cake Courtesan and Pretty Girl Cupcakery are welcomed in cupcake deserts like Prince George's County, MD; no longer leaving shops like The Sweet Tooth and Cakes Plus to hold down the fort. 

Sprinkles Kuwait Storefront is under wraps/ Copyright of Sprinkles

Sprinkles' Cupcake ATM/ Copyright The Huffington Post

Revolutionizing how food is served Sprinkles has been leading the pack with not one but three new Cupcake ATM's in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston...but still no word on Georgetown's phantom ATM. Adding to the empire, Sprinkles  opened two new ice cream stores with cupcake-themed flavors and they're also set to open a chain of Sprinkles Cupcakes in the Middle East with Kuwait being the first location.

Copyright of Penguin Publishing

Doron Petersan and The Cupcake Critic
Copyright The Cupcake Critic

Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers Bakery made another appearance on Cupcake Wars defending her crown after releasing her new book,  Sticky Fingers Sweets: 100 Super Secret Recipes. I gave away two signed copies earlier this year much to the delight of my readers. 

Election 2012 Cupcakes from Frosting Cupcakery
Photo courtesy of Frosting Cupcakery 

Hello Kitty and The Cupcake Critic

The Cupcake Critic in Hello Kitty Swag

This year was also an election year causing several stores like Frosting, Sprinkles, Georgetown Cupcakes and The Sweet Lobby to create Election 2012 and partisan cupcakes. Three of my lucky readers won a dozen election cupcake boxes courtesy of Sprinkles Georgetown. Getting in on the action was Hello Kitty who ran from president and set-up headquarters at the 918 F Street building. Georgetown Cupcake provided the presidential themed cupcakes for Candidate Kitty who ran on the friendship party. I shot a vlog after my own attendance at the event; and

  Slava Rubin, Founder of Indiegogo
pictured with The Cupcake Critic

The Sweet Life Tour featured local bakers like Tweets Sweets!
Copyright of TheCupcakeCritic.com

The Cupcake Critic visits Old Fashioned Radio/
Copyright of  The Cupcake Critic

On a personal note, I got to talk to K Street Kate on her show The District Dish and later visited Listen Vision studios twice for Across the Fader and Old Fashioned Radio bearing treats from Delectable Cakery- yum! The blog got a great nod from TheRoot.com and Social Media TV while I was profiled on Google+Local, HuffPost Live, DMV CEO and City Life Deals. 

Actor Isaiah Washington and The Cupcake Critic

The DC to NYC Cucpake Happy Hour

Good times at the Cupcake Happy Hour!

The highlight of the year came from my awesome Cupcake Lovers! Due to their awesome love and support I brought home not one but two Black Street Awards for 'Best Blog' and 'Best Website'. While in New York for the awards ceremony, I got to visit Baked by Melissa, Crumbs (Times Square), Dylan's Candy Bar, Magnolia Bakery (Hail Mary) and Make My Cake. Somewhere in there and threw a pretty cool Cupcake Happy Hour sponsored by Sweet Themez Bakery and hosted the Sweet Life Tour showcasing various DMV Bakers. Overall 2012 has been a great year for beloved cuppies. 

Tell me Cupcake Lovers, what predictions do you make for 2013? 

Plain Janes: The Best Vanilla Cupcakes

1. Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake 2. Photo courtesy of Sweet Truths Blog 3. Photo courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes 4. Photo courtesy of Curbside Cupcake 5. Photo copyright of The Cupcake Critic.com

Vanilla cupcakes are often the most overlooked cupcakes and regarded as simply the Plain Janes of flavor. Despite being the basis for so many other flavors, the art of the vanilla cupcake is a special one. A dash of cinnamon or a zest of lemon can make the difference in a recipe. I have compiled a list of my favorite vanilla cupcakes from local bakeries and what makes them stand out. 

1. Georgetown Cupcake's Vanilla 2: This Madagascan bourbon vanilla cupcake with vanilla cream cheese is by far my favorite vanilla cupcake. The smooth texture of the frosting coupled with the simplicity of the soft vanilla cake makes it heaven in my mouth. 

2. Sprinkles Vanilla Cupcake: Sprinkles is generally awesome but their Madagascan vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting is like a fluffy cloud sprinkling white fairy confectionery sugar dust on your tongue. 

3. Buzz Bakery's Vanilla Cupcake: The Virginia based bakery is known for its elaborate treats but they have truly put their signature on their vanilla cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting. 

4. Cakes Plus' Vanilla Buttercream Cupcake: Cakes Plus' classic vanilla buttercream cupcakes can easily be termed as 'Ole Faithful'. Their vanilla buttercream is legendary with a homemade flavor that is anything but plain. 

5.  Curbside Cupcake's Vanilla Cupcake: Curbside's classic vanilla cupcake  brings the moist texture one would expect from a gourmet cupcake while giving you the homemade goodness reminiscent of mom's kitchen.

Tell me Cupcake Lovers, what's your favorite vanilla cupcake? 

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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

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.

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

Buzz Bakery

Buzz Bakery's Arlington location (Photo courtesy of Shelby Alyse)

Location: Buzz Bakery (Ballston location) 818 N. Quincy St Arlington, VA
Flavors: Vanilla, Red Velvet and Chocolate Guinness
Cost: 
Score: 4.3
For the past 2 months my sister (and Critic-in-training) has heard me bemoaning the need to review Buzz Bakery. Seeing her sister engrossed in her everyday business and overall Cupcake Critic matters, she boarded a train between her classes at Marymount University and made a trip to Buzz Bakery! Bringing me back three lovely cupcakes, words can't express how much I love my sister Shelby!

Me and  my sister Shelby 

According to Shelby Buzz Bakery is Arlington's hot spot. Located about a block away from the Ballston metro station, the staff is uber-friendly and the decor is ultra-chic! Calling the store for more information, I got the chance to talk with head pastry chef, Tiffany MacIsaac. Tiffany notes that each store has its own personality and the Ballston store is a trendy spot that offers patrons free wi-fi; serves coffee, tea, beer, cocktails and wine giving customers a very upscale feeling. 

Sweet treat display at Buzz Bakery (Photo courtesy of Shelby Alyse)

My first cupcake treat was the vanilla on vanilla cupcake which is offered daily and priced at $2.50. Let me tell you now that this cupcake was a winner! The cake had the consistency and taste of a pound cake. Topped with a nice cream cheese frosting complete with gold and green sprinkles, I enjoyed it so much that I forgot to take a pic :(

Buzz Bakery's Red Velvet Cupcake 

Next up was the red velvet cupcake; a daily special priced at $3.00. My sister knows that I'm not a red velvet person but she also knows that many of my readers are. With that said, it wasn't my cup of tea but it wasn't bad either. The cake was a bit dense and the chocolate flavor could have been punched up a bit however, I enjoyed the cream cheese frosting and ample size.

Boston Cream Cupcake- Yum!

My final cupcake was the Boston Cream ($3.50). The cupcake had a vanilla base and chocolate butter cream frosting with a dollop of fudge on top! The frosting was rich and the soothing vanilla base balanced out the flavor. If you are a chocolate lover, this cupcake is for you.  

Eat Sweet, Repeat- I shall!

At the behest of Ms. McIsaac, I will definitely be by to see the location for myself and order some more of those yummy vanilla cupcakes. Besides any establishment that offers cupcakes and cocktails can count me in!