Express' Best of 2009 Competition!

Tired of looking at these "Best Of" competitions and seeing Cakelove round the top 3? Me too! Does it confuse and anger you? Me too! So don't forgot to check out the Best of 2009 Competition and vote for your favorites! (Most importantly, your favorite cupcake spot and favorite bakery).

From now through Friday, Oct. 16, you can vote for your favorite D.C. area people, places and things in more than 100 categories; the finalists in those categories were chosen by Express readers last month. You can (and should) comment, too -- they want to hear why you love what you love. The winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 6, in a special issue of Express.

The finalists in the Cupcake Category are: Baked & Wired, Cakelove, Georgetown Cupcake, Hello Cupcake, and Red Velvet Cupcakery.

The finalists in the Bakery Category are: Best Buns, Cakelove, Firehook, Le Pain Quotidien, and Sticky Fingers Bakery (Best Buns and Sticky Fingers both serve up cupcakes).

Go Vote!!

New Hello Cupcake Flavor!

I just noticed a new flavor on the menu at Hello Cupcake, although it's been a while since I looked so it might not be that new! It's Gianduja - a Nutella-like Hazelnut Chocolate Cupcake topped with Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache and Caramelized Hazelnut Crunch. Has anyone tried it???

Gianduja is served up on Tuesdays and Fridays, which means Tuesday is now my favorite Hello Cupcake day since I can get both Gianduja AND Velvet Elvis. MMMMMmmmmmmmmm!

Pumpkin Spice at Georgetown Cupcake

Pumpkin Spice is back at Georgetown Cupcake, and available Tuesdays - Sundays for the month of October!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcake; picture via Georgetown Cupcake's Website

Chocolate Orange and Halloween Cupcakes will also be available this month! You can call the store at 202-333-8448 to inquire about store availability.

Halloween Cupcakes, picture via Georgetown Cupcake

Neiman Marcus Cupcake Car

In case you haven't seen this by now, I just had to post it. Neiman Marcus released their Christmas Book this week, and right in the front of the Fantasty Gift section - a Cupcake Car! So if you have an extra $25,000 laying around and are interested in purchasing a car that reaches top speeds of 7mph, then this is the gift for you. It even comes with a matching hat.

As ridiculous as it is, admit it, you know it's cute!

Taste of Georgetown

Baked & Wired and Georgetown Cupcake will be two of the 26 restaurants at this weekend's Taste of Georgetown.

Drop by the Baked & Wired and Georgetown Cupcake tents this Saturday, October 10, between 11am and 4pm on Wisconsin Ave & M Street NW. Entry into the Taste of Georgetown does not require a ticket, but tasting does! You can buy your tickets Online (1 Ticket for $5 or 5 Tickets for $20) or the day of the event in the Eagle Bank Parking Lot.

Cupcakes For the Cure at Lola's!

During the month of October, you can satisfy your sweet tooth for a good cause! All this month at Lola Cookies & Treats the Vanilla Cupcakes are dressed in pink. Scoop one up and a portion of the purchase is donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation!

Also currently available at Lola's, Apple Spice Cupcakes!

This Week at Cupcakes Actually

Take a look below at the flavors available this week at Cupcakes Actually in Fairfax! (Not pictured are their tasty fall flavors: Pumpkin Harvest, Caramel Delight, and Apple Streusel.)

For the month of October, 30% of all their sales for their featured Pink Ribbon Cupcake (Strawberry Fields) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Additionally, Cupcakes Actually will be selling Halloween Cupcakes this month. You can choose from a 3-D witches hat, a 3-D ghost, or a black cat!

Vanilla Bean

Strawberry Fields

Simply Red

Italian Stallion

Actually Dipped Chocolate

Flourless Chocolate

Black Forest

Actually Dipped Black & White