Danielle's Desserts

Danielle's Desserts (2001 international Drive McLean, VA 22102) 
Flavors: Caramel, Double Chocolate, Red Velvet, Coconut, Sour Cream Banana Walnut, and Strawberries-n-Cream
Cost: $3.25 each
Score: 4.5

L-R; Caramel, Sour Cream Banana Walnut, Strawberries-N-Cream,
Red  Velvet, Coconut and Double Chocolate

 Recently, I was contacted by the team for Danielle's Desserts on doing a review for their cupcakes. I was thrilled because I've been following Danielle's Desserts on Twitter for sometime and assumed she focused more on elaborate desserts, and not cupcakes. Within days I had a box of six cupcake faces smiling at me! My box contained flavors ranging from fruity, salty-sweet, and traditional. 

For $3.25 each, these cupcakes were a healthy size. Although I didn't have to travel to their location in Tysons Galleria, I do know that their location is metro accessible by train and bus but driving there would probably ideal. Also, for those who do drive there, expect valet parking service which is sweet!

Each cupcake had a silky smooth texture and flavor. The frosting was a bit sweet but overall an absolute treat. Check out my breakdown for each flavor:

Caramel Cupcake with bits of toffee

Caramel
The caramel cupcake was moist, very flavorful, a bit sweet but the heath candy bits were a nice addition. The cake seemed larger than the others and reminded me of Baked & Wired's cupcakes for two. The mix of salty-sweet was great, I just wish that they would have been less sweet. 

Coconut
The coconut cupcake we essentially perfect! The cakes texture was unusually delicate while the frosting strayed away from traditional super-coconut flavor and immediate sweet-ness. It was well planned, took it's time and delivered!

Red Velvet Cupcake

Red Velvet 
It's never a secret that the Critic doesn't care for red velvet anything! *cue childhood memories* But on the chance that I am forced to review a red velvet cupcake, it's really saying something if I can enjoy it- and I did. There was a balance of sweetness with the flavorful cake which didn't rely on the over usage of cocoa powder. The color was perfect and the texture moist without overkill (slow down on the palm kernel oil, folks!). 


Sour cream Banana Walnut
My initial thought was, "I like banana but in a cupcake? What a funny name..." This cupcake reminded more of a sweet muffin as the cake was nice banana (with real banana) while the frosting was delicate, it was really there to decipher this cupcake from a muffin. In essence, it wasn't bad (I wouldn't kick it out of bed) but compared to its siblings, it wasn't that great either. 

Strawberries-n-Cream cupcake

Strawberries-N-Cream
This was my first cupcake in the bunch. It was love at first sight! The vanilla cupcake was delicate and topped with an even more delicate cream frosting with perfectly sliced strawberries adorning it. All of the components came together beautifully and it was my favorite out of the entire batch.

Double Chocolate
Chocolate, chocolate and this cupcake delivered on the promise! Although it is a double chocolate cupcake, both the frosting and the cake could their own or do the tango in tandem. I could taste the coffee (used as a softener) but it was perfect and gave that excellent punch that good chocolate (cup)cake needs. 

Overall Danielle's Desserts are a treat that shouldn't be overlooked, especially for my Virginia Cupcake Lovers! 

*The cupcakes in this review were gifted however no compensation was received in connection with this review. Nor were the views of reviewer compromised or swayed. 

We Take The Cake

We Take the Cake: 1021 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate, Vanilla, Coconut 
Cost: $52 per 8 cupcakes
Score: 4.8

Reviewed by: Stephanie

Coconut and Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercrem Frosting

In early August I was approached by We Take the Cake about reviewing their cupcakes. I agreed after seeing that their signature key-lime cream cheese bundt cakes were voted one of Oprah's Favorite Things. Looking to introduce their cupcakes to a broader market, they shipped a box to me and I couldn't have been happier*.

                                          

When I received my box, I was pleasantly surprised at how lovingly my package was shrink-wrapped, boxed with dry ice, and then delicately placed in a custom FedEx box. The packaging was marvelous in traditional Key-West colors of terracotta and lime.

The box of eight are over-sized cupcakes which means that they can comfortably feed about two people when shared. The cupcakes come in four traditional flavors: chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and coconut and retail for $52 plus shipping and handling. Given that they are located in Fort Lauderdale, shipping to the D.C. area hovers around $39 dollars however they ship fresh and the same day.

The FedEx guys love me!

The We Take the Cake Box with Logo

Cutting each cupcake into fours, I dished up my plate ready to critique. I tried the vanilla cupcake first and was pleasantly surprised at how moist and flavorful it was. It bordered on perfect while the frosting left the sweetest tingle on my tongue. 

I tried the coconut cupcake next which would become my favorite. The moist coconut gave this cupcake the perfect flavor without being too sweet and the right balance of crunch with the moist cake. The actual cake was infused with subtle notes of fresh coconut denoting a coconut milk or paste used. No artificial flavors here. 

The chocolate cupcake was smooth and reminded me of a nice French pastry only in cake form topped with a silky smooth mousse. The red velvet cake was moist beyond belief and although chocolate in flavor, it was more of what I've always felt that a (southern) red velvet cake should be- effortless. 

Purple: Red Velvet Cupcakes  Pink: Vanilla Cupcakes 

Overall the price tag was justifiable as these cupcakes are beyond spectacular. These are the cupcakes that you expect to serve should Oprah come visit your home and you don't want to appear as if you've never met a billionaire before. Or they are the perfect Christmas present for the beloved relative, in-law, or Cupcake Lover in your life. Receiving a box from We Take the Cake would definitely brighten their day-and tummy. 

*The cupcakes in this review were gifted however that did not sway the views of the reviewers. No compensation was received in connection with this review. 

Bakeocracy

Review: Bakeocracy

Location: Alexandria, VA (pick-up or delivery only)

Flavors: Coconut, Lemon and Red Velvet

Price: $20 /dozen

Score: 3.9

As the cupcake craze moves forward and the tummies of Americans grow larger, even professionals are getting in on the action. Enter Bakeocracy, the baking democracy and its owner, Fern Simmons. Fern is a very spirited woman who practices law during the day and bakes yummy cupcakes by night.

(Photo Courtesy of Bakeocracy)

I first heard about Bakeocracy when they reached out to me on Twitter (@DCCupcakeCritic). After several tweets from avid Bakeocracy followers, I too wanted in on the action. According to their website they offer 12 flavors ranging from vanilla to key-lime pie and cinnamon swirl. At $20 per dozen, pick-up is available from their Alexandria location with limited delivery in the DC area (for a small fee).

Bakeocracy Red Velvet (Photo Courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

On this Saturday afternoon, I would be treated to their coconut, lemon and red velvet flavors. Per usual, it didn’t take long for me to bite into all the cupcake goodness. Due to technical difficulties I tasted the red velvet one first. Let me tell you, it doesn’t get any better than this! The cake was good and the cream cheese frosting was perfect. I almost shed a tear when I got to the last bite.

it flipped over in the box,

Bakeocracy flavors: lemon, coconut & red velvet. (Photo Courtesy of The Cupcake Critic)

Next up were the coconut and lemon. Both cupcakes were smooth with great texture and flavor. My only complaint would be that the frosting had a cream cheese base which gave it a custard-like texture and flavor (think coconut custard or a lemon cream pie). This is simply a matter of personal opinion and in no way would I kick this cupcake off my plate.

Overall I enjoyed these cupcakes and felt my voice was heard- it is good! Cast your ballad and tell me what you think about them.

*Originally published on 12/29/2011

Rolling Pin Bakery

Review: The Rolling Pin Bakery

Location: Bladensburg, MD

Varieties: Yellow cake with Coconut, Lemon, Strawberry, Chocolate or Vanilla Frosting

Cost: $2

Score: 2.00

After suffering from a nasty stomach flu that left me feeling weaker than an empty Capri Sun, I decided to cheer myself up with some cupcakes. I had received a flyer in the mail for a free cupcake from the Rolling Pin Bakery and thought, “Why not?” Although the bakery is metro bus accessible, driving there would be ideal. Even in a vehicle, I accidentally passed the bakery which is located in a strip mall next to Missy’s Nails and Chicken Pollo.

L-R: Vanilla, Coconut, Strawberry, Chocolate, Lemon

Walking in reminded me of the bakeries I frequented as a child. Although The Rolling Pin isn’t modern, it doesn’t exude ‘Rat-droppings sold here’ either. Their staff was cordial but don’t expect sweeping or grand gestures. Looking at the murky display case, I noticed that all the cupcakes consisted of yellow or chocolate cake with rotated  strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, lemon, butter cream or coconut frosting. There was a red velvet cupcake but it didn’t seem 
worthwhile.

Sadly, these sponges with frosting were posing as cupcakes! The cake was dry and crumbly like they had been left out for several days! The coconut cupcake, which I tasted first, was a sad clone of the vanilla cupcake with shaved coconut. Normally, I favor the lemon and strawberry flavors but the lemon cupcake reeked of commercial grade flavoring leaving me only to taste the shortening filler. The strawberry cupcake had mildly redemptive qualities but skimped on the natural strawberry and reminded me of strawberry crème sandwich cookies. The vanilla cupcake, which should be easy to master, was a waste of space and no one with taste buds would willingly eat it.

I had to close the box on these

Finally for this review, the chocolate cupcake would be the team’s franchise player. Any points derived rode on the shoulders of the chocolate cupcake. The frosting was rich and not too sweet. I actually enjoyed eating it where the others proved difficult.

Overall, the cupcakes are more useless than a bike with two-flats. Although only $2 per cupcake, this is the first time in history that I actually wanted to march back into a bakery and ask for my money back! I was tempted not to even write about The Rolling Pin but I want to diversify the selection of cupcakes and include suburban areas- which I shall continue to do.

*Originally published on 11/15/2011

Sprinkles Cupcakes (Georgetown)

Sprinkles
Location: 3015 M Street Northwest Washington, DC 20007 (Georgetown)
Flavors: Vanilla, Key Lime, Coconut
Cost: $3.50
Score: 5

Sprinkles is the bomb! Located in a boutique style shop in Georgetown, I made my maiden voyage to Sprinkles on one of the busiest days of the year- the fourth of July. Despite gushing with tourists, the Sprinkles staff was uber friendly and they got me in and out. They even made me feel cool by putting the goods in a chic shopping bag (that I didn’t have to ask for-POINTS!)

While panting on the display counter, I counted eight different flavors including: red velvet, cookies & cream, hazelnut, peanut butter & chocolate and several others. I ordered three cupcakes in the usual flavors: vanilla, coconut, and key-lime. Tasting the cupcakes made me immediately happy. The vanilla and coconut didn’t disappoint but didn’t send off firecrackers either. They were moist in texture, rich in flavor, and avoided unnatural colors or tangible additives.

Looking at the menu I noticed that Sprinkles also sells shots of frosting. I couldn’t imagine someone saying: “Barkeep! More frosting please!” however after tasting their key-lime cupcake, I knew why. The tangy flavored frosting did the Dougie on my tongue. There was an encore presentation of the Cat-daddy when the flavor infused cake followed behind it. This cupcake was so good that the next day I wanted to hop in my car, and buy-out the cupcake block. Luckily Georgetown has iffy parking so my efforts were thwarted. Thank you weight loss gods!

                               

Because of its Georgetown location, technically it’s not metro accessible and the parking is scarce however your trip will be well worth it. Overall it gets a five because,to be honest, I dream about Sprinkles. For real...don’t judge me.