Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Charm City Cupcakes Big Mini Cupcake Sale

Baltimore's Charm City Cupcakes is having a BIG mini Cupcake Sale! A Mini Variety Pack is $12 (normally $15) and includes Vanilla-Vanilla, Vanilla-Chocolate, Triple Chocolate, Caramel Praline, Black-Eyed Susan, Pimlico w/ Ghiradelli Drizzle, Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds, Mini Chocolate, Gourmet Turtle, Key Lime, Black Bottom & Red Velvet.

To get these cupcakes for New Years Eve (TOMORROW!) you'll need to pre-order before 5:00pm TODAY, December 30th. 410-244-8790!

Georgetown Cupcakes for New Years

How cute is this cupcake?! Available by pre-order or walk in at Georgetown Cupcake locations!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes at Lola's!

Take a look at this cute holiday cupcake
It's Chocolate Peppermint, and it's currently available at Lola Cookies & Treats in Leesburg!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

SisterCakes of Springfield, VA

On National Cupcake Day, I bring to you a new local cupcakery! (courtesy of blog reader Moo!) The business itself is not new, as they have been around for some time now, but it's new to me!
SisterCakes
is their name, and they offer delivery to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. They're based out of Springfield, VA and have a very extensive menu of at least 16 different flavors. Some flavors include German Chocolate, Red Velvet, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Boston Creme, and a couple fall flavors, Apple Spice and Pumpkin Spice. Take a peek at some of their goodies (pictures from their website) below:

Click here to check out their website, menu, and a little about the girls who run the company!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Nostalgia Cupcakes Holiday Flavors

For you Annapolis cupcake fans, Nostalgia Cupcakes is offering Eggnog, Chai Gingerbread, and Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes this holiday season. Be sure to scoop some up before January hits, when their seasonal flavors will change over to Pear Brandy and Toasted Almond!
Nostalgia Cupcakes is open Tuesday – Thursday from 11-6, and Friday-Saturday from 11-8. They are only open Sundays for advanced orders (until March 31) and they are closed on Mondays.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Lavender Moon Facebook Fan Page

I just found out today that while Lavender Moon Cupcakery still does not have a website, they do have a Facebook Fan Page! (I dont know if that link will work since I was logged in when I hyperlinked it, so if it doesn't just search "Lavender Moon Cupcakery" in your FB search). And it looks like they update it pretty frequently too. Last update was on December 5th during Alexandria’s Scottish Parade – they had Cranberry Chocolate, Chestnut Ganache, and Buttered Rum! You can always count on LMC to be carrying unique flavors.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Hello Cupcake Holiday Flavors

Hello Cupcake is featuring 3 holiday flavors – Gingerbread, Hot Buttered Rum, and Candy Cane. I remember HC having Hot Buttered Rum last year and never had a chance to try it; but I’m sure if they’ve brought it back for a 2nd year in a row then it’s a winner!
Above are two pictures from the Hello Cupcake website of their Hot Buttered Rum and Gingerbread Flavors. The Gingerbread flavor is a spicy ginger cake with lemon cream cheese frosting, and the Hot Buttered Rum flavor is made up of rum raisin cake with rum frosting and rum-soaked raisins on top. I didn’t see a picture of the Candy Cane flavor posted on the site, so you’ll have to drop into HC and check it out for yourself!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Cupcakes Actually Holiday Flavors

Take a peek at the two holiday flavors being featured at Cupcakes Actually!

The Grinch Stole Christmas is definitely the most unique holiday flavor I've seen at any cupcakery in the area. It's a Pistachio Cinnamon cupcake topped with Pistachio butter cream, and of course the Gingerbread Cupcake is self explanatory - topped with a cream cheese icing and a fondant gingerbread man!

The shop will be offering new weekly flavors during the month of December, so be sure to check their website on Sunday nights to see their updated menu for the week. Also something to note is the store's hours during the holiday season:

Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*Their hours will be shortened on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and they will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day*

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Snowflake Cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake

A coworker went out for lunch and scooped up a box of these cute cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake in Bethesda, so of course I had to snap a picture. Love the snowflake!

Occasionally Cake Holiday Cupcakes!

Check out these adorable cupcakes being offered by Occasionally Cake this holiday season!
They've got a wide variety of holiay flavored cupcakes that can have some cute Christmas Decorations on top. Flavors include but are not limited to Candy Cane, Eggnogg, Perfectly Pumpkin, Cranberry Orange, Peppermint Patty and more!
And while you're there picking up your cupcakes, they have plenty of other festive treats - take a look at these sugar cookies and cakeballs!

Make sure you remember that Occasionally Cake will be closed for normal business from December 24th until January 5th 2010. They'll be doing custom cakes during that time, just not the normal cupcakes!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Pic of Curbside Cupcakes Truck

Here's a picture of the Curbside Cupcake truck! Now you'll recognize it when you see it!
Photo by urbnsuburbnite via Twitpic

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Georgetown Cupcake News

Did you hear? Georgetown Cupcake, who currently has 2 locations - their original Potomac Street location as well as their brand spankin new Bethesda Row location (GO VISIT!) - is moving their original spot! Yup, they're moving to a BIGGER (thank God!) space on M Street. 33rd & M at 3301 M Street, NW, to be exact. Stay tuned for Grand Opening info - there will be free cupcakes all day long!

In other Georgetown Cupcake news, are you Bethesda-Area cupcake lovers looking for a good place to get your cupcakes for all those parties this month? Well then make sure you visit the new Bethesda location (4834 Bethesda Avenue) to check out their holiday flavors! Special for the month of December, they've got White Chocolate Peppermint, Chocolate Peppermint, Gingerbread, Chocolate Egg Nog, Rudolph Red Velvet, Snowball (their coconut cupcake), Hannukah Cupcakes, Christmas Cupcakes, AND New Years Cupcakes. Holiday Cupcakes (the Hannukah, Christmas, and New Years cupcakes) are available every day during the holiday week and by special order during the entire holiday month. Check out some of the cute cupcakes below.
UPDATE: The Grand Opening is Tuesday, December 15th! Stay tuned for more details.

Gingerbread Cupcake; pic from Georgetowncupcake.com

Hannukah Cupcakes; pic from Georgetowncupcake.com

Rudolph Red Velvet Cupcake; pic from Georgetowncupcake.com
Cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake; pic from Georgetowncupcake.com

Cupcakes Currently at Thyme Out

Drop by Thyme Out at 11401 Woodglen Drive in Rockville for the Chocolate Eggnog cupcakes!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Curbside Cupcakes!

Like an ice cream truck...only better!!!
Many Washingtonian's might have noticed a cute little cupcake mobile making its way around the district lately - it's Curbside Cupcakes! The Cupcake Mobile trend has been making its way around many major US cities, and finally has come to the DC/Metro Area.
Curbside Cupcakes says you can find their pink cupcake truck Downtown and around Capitol Hill. How can you find out where they are, you ask? Easy! Check them out at their website, on Facebook, or on Twitter! They also list what flavors are available each day on the calendar located on their site. Looks like today they will have Chocolate with a Peppermint Top, Classic Chocolate, Classic Vanilla, Red Velvet, and Vanilla Mocha.
Cupcakes from Curbside Cupcakes; photo from Curbsidecupcakes.com
Cupcakes from Curbside Cupcakes; photo from Curbsidecupcakes.com
Cupcakes from Curbside Cupcakes; photo from Curbsidecupcakes.com
This map, taken from Curbside Cupcakes' website, shows the area in which they serve up their goodies. Check their site for more details!
Cupcakes are $3.00/each, $15.00 for a Half Dozen, and $27.00/Dozen!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Open Letter to my Readers

Hi guys! With the recent New York Times article, Yahoo Finance posting, and Channel 9 News interview, I wanted to take a couple minutes to reiterate the purpose of this blog and it’s separation from my business.
When I began this blog back in June 2008 it was to help promote the cupcake scene in the DC Metropolitan Area. I’ve been mentioned in the Washington Post, interviewed by Washingtonian Magazine’s Blogger Beat, Georgetown University’s Weekly News Magazine, as well as NOVA Magazine, and I think it’s safe to say that I didn’t get those interviews by constantly criticizing local bakeries. I got those interviews by visiting as many bakeries as possible, tasting hundreds of cupcakes, constructively critiquing these cupcakes, and relaying my finds to my fellow Washingtonians. I believe people appreciate this blog because when I was still reviewing, I provided genuine, objective, honest reviews, that I think my readers found useful. If readers agreed, they left comments agreeing; if they disagreed, they left comments disagreeing! In the end, I was honest in my opinions and objective in my criticism; I didn’t sugar coat anything. And you know what? I love 90% of the cupcake bakeries in this area! Those of you who have been following me for a while know I am always complimenting flavors from other bakeries – Baked & Wired, Hello Cupcake, Lola’s, the list goes on...
Never once in the 17 month history of this blog have I compared my business or my cupcakes to that of another bakery. I have much admiration and respect for other bakeries and enjoy most all of their cupcakes, and truly believe there is room for us all!
If you compare my critiques to those of Washington Post Food Editor Frank Bruni and his team of taste testers from the Cupcake Wars – our reviews are pretty consistent. Look at the left side of my blog. I list every single cupcakery, store that carries cupcakes, and online cupcake business in the DC/Metropolitan Area. That’s because I am, and always have been, all about helping those bakeries get business and helping grow the popularity of the local cupcake scene.
Since I have started my own business, I have consciously only reported on "cupcake news" and have laid off doing any reviews, with the exception of one at the request of that bakery (who was well aware that I had both a business and a blog and wanted the review for the publicity). I disagree with any beliefs that blogging about what is going on with the cupcake scene in the DC area while trying to run my own business is a conflict of interest. If the people who believe that it is a conflict actually read the posts, they will notice the posts are about who is opening shop, what flavors people are carrying, current specials/promotions, etc. – vital info for DC area cupcake lovers!
Thanks for all your continued support and readership! I love hearing from you guys.
Enjoy this beautiful snow!
Danielle

More Alexandria Cupcakes, Coming Soon!

I got an email earlier this week from Melissa B, telling me about a new cupcake place she spotted in Alexandria! It's not open yet, and actually all it says in the window is "Coming Soon Alexandria Cupcakes," but with all the cupcake fans in Alexandria it's exciting to know there will be a new place to try out!

Photo by MarieMcC
Melissa was walking west on the south side of King Street (west of N Washington St.), and spotted it in an old multi-story townhouse-like building. Do anyone of you Alexandria natives know anything about it? I tried doing some research myself and couldn't find anything!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Lola's Open Late for First Friday Celebration!

In honor of Leesburg's First Friday celebration, Lola Cookies & Treats will be staying open until 9pm this evening! They'll be selling hot cocoa and fresh-baked goodies including Christmas sugar cookies, full-sized lebkuchen gingerbread men, an of course, Gingerbread cupcakes. The Gingerbread Cupcakes are topped with a mild lemon cream-cheese frosting and have a tiny gingerbread cookie man on top.

So if you're in the Leesburg area, grab your cocoa and cupcake and watch the tree-lighting ceremony and carolers performing around town throughout the evening!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Weekly Cupcakes at Thyme Out

Thyme Out across from White Flint Mall has fresh cupcakes weekly! Available this week are Gingerbread and Cookies N Cream!

Monday, November 23, 2009

GTown Cupcake Bethesda Grand Opening

For those that weren't able to make it, take a look below at some pictures from Georgetown Cupcake's Bethesda location's Grand Opening! Unfortunately I was unable to make it, but GC posted some pictures by Nakeva Corothers on their fan page!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Crumbs Invading DC Metro, Spring 2010

Check it out cupcake lovers - looks like Crumbs will be landing in the DC Metro area early 2010! Check out their press release with all the D's below!

NEW YORK, NY (November 16, 2009) – Due to a tremendous demand, CRUMBS Bake Shop, the first bake shop to introduce the gourmet cupcake, will debut their signature sized cupcakes and delectable sweet treats in the Washington, D.C. market in March 2010. The stores will be found in several neighborhoods including the downtown central business district, Georgetown, Cleveland Park, Foggy Bottom, Rockville (Maryland), Clarendon (Virginia) and Reston (Virginia), offering a variety of their delicious cupcakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, coffee and other baked goods.

“The D.C. market was the next logical choice for our expansion,” said Jason Bauer, CRUMBS CEO and co-founder. “The CRUMBS brand has strong name recognition in the market and we decided to listen to our fans who have been asking us for many months to come to D.C.”

I was shocked to read they were opening so many locations - I was thinking it was just going to be one shop in DC, especially since there is so much cupcake competition in the area. I'm definitely interested to see how Crumbs competes with the rest of the area's major cupcake players!

Georgetown Cupcake Bethesda Grand Opening

Drop by Georgetown Cupcake's Bethesda location this Sunday between 12pm - 6pm to celebrate their Grand Opening and to snag a free cupcake! They'll be handing out the free cupcakes - one per person - all day.

4834 Bethesda Avenue - be there!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Free Cookie or Cupcake at Lola's!

Sorry for the late posting on this, but if you're in the Leesburg area and have never tried Lola's Cookies & Treats, then this is the perfect opportunity! It's Lola's 3rd Anniversary and they're celebrating by giving their customers some free baked goods! Just right click the coupon below and save the picture to your computer. Print it off and take it into Lola's for a free cookie or cupcake! Only good through the end of Saturday - so hurry up!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween Cupcakes

Tombstone & Spider Web Cupcakes available at Thyme Out - call for availability!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Martha Stewart Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

Looking for a Pumpkin Cupcake recipe this fall? Here's one from Martha Stewart! For a gallery of other Pumpkin-flavor dessert recipes from Martha, click here!

Ingredients
Makes 22
1 sugar pumpkin, (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and seeded
1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree, or canned pumpkin puree
1 cup pecans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 seven ounce packages almond paste
Gel food color, orange, brown, and green
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two muffin tins with paper liners. Grate pumpkin in a food processor or on the large holes of a box grater (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Transfer to a medium bowl, and add pumpkin puree and pecans.
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves; pulse to combine. With machine running, add oil and eggs; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add pumpkin mixture; pulse to combine.
Spoon about 1/3 cup batter into each cupcake liner. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Make the marzipan pumpkins: Tint two-thirds almond paste orange, adding food color a dab at a time until desired color is reached. Tint a quarter of remaining paste brown and the rest green. Shape into leaves, stems, and pumpkins (see instructions below).
Decorate cupcakes with frosting and marzipan pumpkins. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days
Marzipan Pumpkin How-To: Using a small rolling pin, roll out green almond paste about 1/8 thick; use a leaf cutter to cut out leaf shapes. Roll brown into small ropes; cut and shape into stems. Using the palms of your hand, shape orange into three-quarter-inch globes. Use a toothpick to poke holes in tops of pumpkins and to press creases from top to bottom. Attach leaves and stems to tops with a bit of frosting.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Halloween Cupcake Products II

And here are some Wilton Halloween-themed Cupcake Products to follow up the most previous post on products from Fancy Flours. These are all pretty much out of stock online, however I know for a fact they are in stock at Michaels stores, and I've even seem them at my local Target!

Halloween Cupcake Products

Since I did a post yesterday on Halloween Cupcake Decorating Ideas, I thought I'd do a post on some products that could help you get that festive look on your Halloween Cupcakes this month. All of the Halloween-themed products in these pictures are available at Fancy Flours!
For a gallery of Halloween-related products from Fancy Flours, click here!