Magnolia Bakery: Carrot Cake Cupcake

Magnolia Bakery (1000 3rd Avenue NY, NY)

Flavors: Carrot Cake 

Cost: $3.50

Score: 3.9

Reviewed by: Stephanie 

Magnolia Bakery has been attributed with kicking off the entire cupcake craze after HBO's Sex & The City character, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker),  stopped by the famous shop for a cupcake. From that point on (coupled with a crippled economy where affordable luxury items would be in great demand) the cupcake craze has swept the country- and the world. 

Magnolia Bakery's Shelf Life

Given its history, what better way to taste Magnolia Bakery than in the middle of Bloomingdale's? Walking in to the small enclave of a shop I was greeted with numerous desserts like banana pudding, baby cheesecakes, and a small assortment of cupcakes ranging from vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and variations thereof. I had hoped to get my hands on the Swarovski crystal cupcake advertised days earlier in celebration of Fashion Week. 

Magnolia Bakery's Carrot Cake Cupcake

After waiting in a short line, I was eagerly greeted by the one of the employees who patiently waited while I lusted after the cool banana pudding and longed for their baby cheesecakes topped with luscious berries. Despite the amazing selection, I ordered the carrot cake cupcake after inquiring about the Swarovski crystal cupcake. My server assured me: "You aren't really missing anything...it's just a vanilla cupcake with a sugar crystal in the middle" I appreciated his honesty.       

       

Magnolia Bakery Box

Once I sunk my teeth into the carrot cake cupcake, I was surprised at the freshness considering that I ate it a day after purchase. The flavor was routine with no real stand-outs but the cream cheese frosting was rich with the perfect balance of texture and taste between the cake and frosting. The portion size was just right but I can't say that it was worth the $3.50 charged. Overall I'd like to visit Magnolia Bakery again (at one of their larger locations) and try some of their other cupcake flavors and desserts.

Savvy Treats

Review: Savvy Treats

Location: Online/ Delivery

Flavors: Raspberry Lemonade, Vanilla, Salted Caramel and Carrot Cake

Price: $29 per dozen or 2 dozen minis

Score: 3.7

Amidst the growing number of online and delivery based bakeries, some simply stand out. After happing upon Savvy Treats’ Facebook page, I was intrigued with their very professional photos, prim logo and tri-color packaging. What sold me was the banner pic of a kind woman posing in her kitchen with an apron on. That woman is owner Cheryl Savastano who took her knowledge of sales, baking, and marketing and decided to go full-time with her dream of Savvy Treats.

Savvy Treats' Packaging 
Copyright: The Cupcake Critic

Known amongst friends, family and co-workers for her signature carrot cakes, she began to get orders for them and had a light bulb moment for Savvy Treats. Now she creates her mini-cupcakes for corporate galas, catering companies and even real estate open houses. Having been open for less than a year, she’s already hired a professional cake decorator for her specialty cake orders and leases commercial kitchen space. 

Savvy Treats' Signature Carrot Cake Cupcake 
(Photo courtesy of  Savvy Treats)

On a muggy afternoon, I met with Cheryl who graciously presented her well-branded goods and supplied me with four flavors: signature carrot cake, raspberry lemonade, salted caramel with caramel filling and vanilla bean. After an awesome presentation, I made it home with the cupcakes choosing to start off with the minis.

Vanilla Cupcake (Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

Retailing for $29 per 2 dozen, the minis are the perfect 2-bite treat. I was disheartened that they were mounded with frosting but they served their diminutive purpose. I tried the vanilla bean cupcake first which was a bit sweet with a dense texture. The flavor was there but it was hard to define which is necessary in a vanilla cupcake. Next up was the raspberry lemonade which had a great flavor and texture but was a tad too sweet for my taste.

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

My next cupcake was the salted caramel which I adored! I could taste the homemade goodness in the hand spun caramel. I also liked the caramel filling which was just right and not too sweet. My final and absolute favorite cupcake was her signature carrot cake. This cupcake is a winner! I can see why people fawn, praise and chase Cheryl down for her carrot cakes.

Savvy Treats' Salted Caramel Cupcake
(Photo courtesy of Savvy Treats)

The cake was the perfect balance of carrot, nuts, pineapple and coconut. Exceptionally moist and very flavorful, I was sad to eat my last bite. The frosting was a tad sweet but all-in-all a great accompaniment to delicious cake. Look for Savvy Treats at pop-ups around DC and definitely visit their Facebook page. This is a savvy woman serving up some savvy treats!

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

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. 

Ruby Tuesday Cupcake Review

Review: Ruby Tuesday 16451 Excalibur Road Bowie, Md 20716
Flavors: Carrot Cake and Red Velvet 
Cost: $2.99 + tax & gratuity 
Score: 3.7

L-R: Red Velvet & Carrot Cake (Photo courtesy of Ruby Tuesday)

As noted earlier this week, Ruby Tuesday- a national chain based out of Tennessee- is now offering cupcakes on their permanent dessert menu. Patrons can choose from carrot cake or red velvet cupcakes that are priced sweetly at $2.99 (plus tax and gratuity) for two cupcakes. Thoroughly convinced that a national chain with ubiquitous locations couldn't possibly serve yummy and delectable cupcakes, I visited my local Ruby Tuesday in Bowie, MD and ordered one of each cupcake. 

Ruby Tuesday To Go Bag

Placing my order at the bar, the bartender was an entertaining fellow who had my order ready in less than 5 minutes. I feel the need to note that because the last time I visited Ruby Tuesday (over 4 years ago); it was at Pentagon City Mall where my feet and meal were abducted by a small furry creature. Neither my server nor management felt that it was a problem and their attitude reflected that. 

L-R: Carrot Cake and Red Velvet Cupcakes

Eager to test these babies out, I opened the box and the stench of artificial flavors came out. My brain registered that these cupcakes shouldn't be trusted or ingested. Nonetheless I tried the carrot cake cupcake first and to my surprise -it was yummy! Not only was it yummy but the cake was quite soft with no hints of artificial flavor. 

Red Velvet Cupcake

On the other hand, the red velvet cupcake reeked of artificial flavor. Although I have never been a huge fan of red velvet, I know what it should taste like and this tasted more like a bootlegged Hostess cupcake. The cupcake was soft however it was an artificial softness that I ultimately gave the side-eye to. Further the frosting was really cheap and industrial.

Smashed Carrot Cake Cupcake

Overall the cupcakes are a sweet treat that will satisfy your post dinner cravings. Further for suburbanites like me, we take what we can get and the getting is good! 

Ruby Tuesday Cupcakes?

Photo courtesy of Ruby Tuesday

No, that wasn't a typo Cupcake Lovers...restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday is now offering red velvet and carrot cake cupcake pairings on their permanent dessert menu! 


According to Meredith Hammond, the communications representative for Ruby Tuesday, the restaurant originally added cupcakes to it's menu in January of 2011; unveiling it regionally. After a quick call to my local Ruby Tuesday, they offer them on their menu and can be purchased for the low-low rate of $2.99 (plus tax of course). 

L-R: Red Velvet and Carrot Cake (Photo courtesy of Ruby Tuesday)

According to Ruby Tuesday's Executive Chef, Peter Glander, since gracing the menu over a year ago the cupcakes have become the restaurant's top-seller! Prior to reaching the menu, Ruby Tuesdays went through 15 different icings to get the perfect one. That would also explain why each cake is freshly frosted upon order making the experience genuine. 


I've said it before folks and I'll say it again, 'Cupcakes aren't a fad....they're a lifestyle' and when cupcakes are being served at Ruby Tuesday- the epitome of mainstream America- that makes them family; here to stay. What say you Cupcake Lovers? Is this a no or a go? The Critic is listening...

Cupcake Project #5: It's National Carrot Cake Day!!



Photo Courtesy of Smithfield/Paula Deen

Today is national carrot cake day! To celebrate, I have included a recipe for super yummy carrot cake with extra carrots. However, if you are like me and are culinary challenged, visit Hello Cupcake for their 24Kt cupcakes or Georgetown Cupcakes for their carrot cake cupcakes. Otherwise, whip up a batch of these carrot cake lovelies just in time for Super Bowl 2012, and tell me what you think.

Happy Eating Cupcake Lovers!

Serves: 24

Cook Time: 48 Minutes

Smithfield Product: None

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 8-oz. can of crushed pineapple, well drained
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Small pinch of ground cloves
• 3 cups grated carrots, grate on larger side of cheese grater
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• For Frosting:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fresh coconut, shaved and toasted for garnish (optional)

Steps
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, apple sauce, sugars, pineapple and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and small pinch of ground cloves. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into muffin tin lined with beautiful paper or foil liners. Fill each liner 3/4 full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 min. Let cupcakes cool completely. While cooling, prepare frosting.


Frosting:
In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pile the frosting high on the cooled cupcakes and garnish with the toasted coconut if desired.


*Recipe courtesy of Smithfield. Original article can be found here.