Sprinkles' Key Lime Cupcake Recipe

                           

On my first visit to Sprinkles in May 2011, I experienced their key-lime cupcakes. I say "experience" because, to quote myself, "It made me do the Dougie". Whenever a cupcake (or any food item) makes you want to dance spontaneously- that's an amazing cupcake. This morning on GMA, Cupcake Wars judge and Sprinkles owner, Candace Nelson, coughs up the recipe for Sprinkles' key-lime cupcakes and reveals a telling secret on how to make it pop. That started my morning off right! Thanks GMA!

                   

The Cake Courtesan

The Cake Courtesan in Bowie, MD

Location: The Cake Courtesan 6926 Laurel-Bowie Rd Bowie, MD
Flavors: Vanilla, Key Lime, Split Decision and Monkey Business
Cost: $2.75
Score: 4


Outfitted in gold and silver filigree, The Cake Courtesan is a cake-lovers dream. Despite being inaccessible by metro, its Bowie, MD location is car friendly with abundant parking. Having opened its doors a few months ago after closing down in Annapolis as Nostolgia Bakery, owner Sharon White eagerly shows off her cake designs which, I would pit against master baker Ron Ben Israel any day. 

The Cake Courtesan display case and register

At only $2.75 a pop, I've found myself making 3 trips in less than two weeks. The first time, I went on a whim and walked out with the Monkey Business cupcake. The Monkey Business cupcake is a banana cake with a vanilla buttercream frosting topped with chocolate drizzle and nuts. I enjoyed the banana cake although I found it a bit stiff leaving the luscious and frothy frosting to balance it out.

The Cake Courtesan's Wedding Consultation Station

On my second visit, I arrived five minutes before closing and was stuck with a left-over vanilla on vanilla cupcake. It had great flavor and the vanilla buttercream frosting was flavorful but understandably, the texture was a bit dense as it was approaching expiration. I can't hold that against them.

On my last attempt, I got the yummy key-lime cupcake and, ironically, the Split Decision cupcake. I reference the irony because the clerk (whom I discovered was Myra Weston of Myra's Popcorn Palace in Annapolis) patiently waited as I combed through the wide selection of cupcakes finally arriving at the  Split Decision cupcake.

Key-Lime and Vanilla Cupcakes 

The Split Decision cupcake is a chocolate and vanilla marble cake with chocolate and vanilla swirled buttercream frosting. Think of it as your favorite chocolate and vanilla swirl ice cream cone in cupcake form-Yeah, that good! By the time I got home and ate the key-lime cupcake, I was pleasantly surprised at the genuine flavor and layer-cake like texture. I cut the cupcake in half to save it for later but later came within ten minutes. I wanted to get another but was too embarrassed to make two trips in one day. I'm now waiting for the weekend. 

The Monkey Business Cupcake

Overall The Cake Courtesan is a welcomed addition to the community and after many prayers and would-be-deals with God, I felt that he had heard my cry. With each visit the store clerks were more than patient and very efficient at getting me in and out. Further in each cake you could taste the diligent approach to baking and the craft itself. Despite having a heavy presence of chocolate on their menu, the variety is there and there is something for everybody. 

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.

Georgetown Cupcakes (Bethesda)

Location: Georgetown Cupcake 4834 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD

Flavors: Choco-coconut, Vanilla, Carrot Cake, Chocolate, & Key-lime.

Cost: $2.75
Score: 4.5

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

Driving into downtown Bethesda for a movie premier, I decided to surprise the guest of honor with a treat from Georgetown Cupcakes. Due to anemic parking options, I reluctantly parked 4 blocks away from the store. Although metro accessible (via Bethesda metro station), be prepared for a walk of about 5 blocks+ to arrive at the downtown Bethesda store. After walking on cobblestone streets in 6-inch heels, I wasn’t happy to stand for another 30 minutes to place my order.

The famous G-town Cupcake Bag

Found only in their namesake of Georgetown (and now Bethesda), the popular cupcakery is also known for their long wait times and lines. Once inside the tiny shop, I was very impressed with the staff’s fast & efficient assembly line approach. The pink and white décor gave me a feeling of serenity and sterility which is important when you require money for food.

L-R:Vanilla, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, Choco-coconut and key lime

Their signature vanilla cupcake was rich with a delicious frosting reminiscent of my grandmother’s baked goods. The choco-coconut cupcake was decent but the chocolate & white cupcake was more than laudable in the war on cupcakes. The decadent cream cheese frosting made the carrot cupcake a close second but it was the key lime cupcake that stole the show.

Walking out I felt like a hunter who had stalked and claimed their prey. The price and size of the cupcakes was perfect at $2.75. Although I wasn’t thrilled with the scarcity of parking or the long lines, the cupcakes themselves did not disappoint (nor live up to the hype).

*Originally published in April 2011