DC Farmers Market Cupcakes

Via the Washington Post's Market Roundup, here's your heads up for where you can find cupcakes in the District's farmers markets this weekend:

At Saturday's 14th & U Farmers Market, Pecan Meadow will have tiny carrot cupcakes made from its own carrots. Aside from their cupcakes, you should check out their Pumpkin Whoopie Pies which have apparently caused quite the stir - getting rave write ups in Washington Post and all over other local food blogs. I can't seem to find a website for them, but here's a picture of those infamous Whoopie Pies via Washington Post's photog James Thresher:

Over in Dupont on Sunday, the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market will have Todd Miller of Hello Cupcake doing a demo at 11am. And speaking of Hello Cupcake, their Pumpkin Spice cupcakes are back! Available now through Thanksgiving.

Hello Cupcake - Cupcake Classes

If you want to learn how to make cute little fondant pieces and pipe like the pro's, then you'll definitely be interested in the techniques being taught in Hello Cupcake's class!

Their first class will focus on cupcakes for Valentine's Day (that this weekend people!) and is scheduled for February 13th from 10am - 12pm. You should email them to make sure there is still room in the class (info@hellocupcake.com), but I do know you can sign up in person at the Dupont store. Classes are $50.

You Had Me At Hello Cupcake

According to Daily Candy, share your best (or worst) pickup lines on the Web with Hello Cupcake and get a free cupcake in-store! This fun little promo is running from now through Monday, February 15th.

Hello Cupcake is located at 1361 Connecticut Avenue NW at Dupont Circle.

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!

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!

Celebrate Hello Cupcake's 1st Anniversary!

Next week, Tuesday, August 25th, is Hello Cupcake’s 1st birthday! To celebrate, Hello Cupcake will be hosting a “Free Cupcake Day." Could this mean what you think it means??! Yes! Free cupcakes!

Hello Cupcake will be making many of their best sellers that day. They're offering one free cupcake per person - no special orders, deliveries or multiple cupcake boxes that day, just one cupcake for anyone who wants one, to help them celebrate!

Remember, this is only while supplies last, so get yourself over to Hello Cupcake next Tuesday and say Happy Anniversary!!

Get Your Fourth of July Cupcakes!

If you're planning on buying, not baking, your patriotic cupcakes this Fourth of July, I've got you covered. Check out this list of local places who will be selling the festive treats all week long:

Bittersweet Catering
Flag Cupcakes made up of white cake with Vanilla Buttercream, decorated with red stripes and blue stars, for $3.00/each

Buzz Bakery

Patriotic Themed Cupcakes

Cakelove

Yellow butter cupcakes topped with buttercream, raspberries, and blueberries.

Cupcakes Actually
Choose from Apple Struedel with Cream Cheese Frosting, Simply Red with Cream Cheese Frosting and Vanilla Bean with Vanilla Buttercream. Each cupcake is adorned with a handmade 4th of July themed decoration.

Georgetown Cupcake
Fourth of July Cupcakes are available every day during the holiday week and throughout the holiday month by special order.

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Heidelberg's Patriotic Themed Cupcakes are either Yellow or Chocolate cake with white icing and red, white and blue sprinkles on top. They're $1.25 each.

Hello Cupcake

Fourth of July Cupcakes are available all this week. They are the "HC Originals," (vanilla or chocolate cake with vanilla or chocolate buttercream frosting) with special Independence Day decorations and are the normal price, $3/each. Note their holiday hours: 10am-9pm July 3rd, and 10am-5pm July 4th.

Red Velvet Cupcakery

RVC will definitely be selling patriotic-themed cupcakes this week, but weren't able to tell me which flavors they'll be using as the baker hasn't decided yet. The themed-cupcakes will probably only be available Saturday, Friday at the earliest!

Springmill Bread Company
All the local locations are baking Patriotic Themed Cupcakes, priced at 4 for $8.

Know of anywhere else? Let me know and I'll add it to the list!

Larry's Should Stick to Ice Cream

I recently became aware that Larry’s Ice Cream in Dupont also carries cupcakes, so when I was in Dupont with my boyfriend Mike visiting some of his friends, we all walked down to the shop. It was a cute little place right in the heart of Dupont. Anddd that’s where the cuteness ended.

Mike walked right in and saw 3 different types of Red Velvet cupcakes – one with cream cheese frosting, one with buttercream frosting, and one with chocolate frosting. He looked at a big man on a Blackberry behind the counter and said, “I hear your Red Velvet is good, which one should I get?” The guy proceeded to look at him and say “Does it look like I give a shit?”

I have no patience for people like this, and at that point was ready to turn around and walk out but Mike still wanted to order one. He ordered the chocolate cupcake with raspberry filling and the red velvet with cream cheese frosting. At the register, Mike tried to make conversation again, asking the guy “so are you the baker?” The guy looked at Mike like he just asked the stupidest question in the history of all time, and said “Does it look like I’m the baker?” Mike fired back and said “Maybe? What kind of question is that?” The guy slammed the drawer shut, pushed the cupcakes at Mike, said “here you go” and walked off to play with his Blackberry some more.

Seriously, nobody is asking for this guy to be Mary Sunshine, but are you kidding me??? When your customers are trying to make conversation with you and ask you about your product, it might behoove you to engage in some pleasant conversation and not curse and be a smartass. I have been to DOZENS of bakeries since beginning this blog over a year ago, and have never encountered someone so rude.

Not only is the customer service horrid to say the least, but the cupcakes taste awful. The cake was dry, the frosting on the red velvet was sour and didn’t even taste like cream cheese frosting – I threw it out after taking 2 bites. I wouldn’t even try the Chocolate, but Mike who will eat pretty much anything wouldn’t even finish it.

Walk a couple hundred feet over to Hello Cupcake, take a trip down a few blocks to Baked & Wired, Georgetown Cupcake, or Red Velvet Cupcakery. Whatever you do, do not give a single penny of your money to this place. The service at Hello, B&W, Georgetown & Red Velvet is friendly and the cupcakes are worlds better. Larry’s ice cream may be good, but he clearly jumped on the cupcake bandwagon to make a quick buck. His product is awful and so is his attitude; avoid this place at all costs.

Cup-A-Cake Carriers at Hello Cupcake

Hello Cupcake's Cup-A-Cake Carriers made the paper yesterday. They're perfect for picnics this summer, so get yours at Hello Cupcake or at one of the many USA retailers, like Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Crate & Barrel!

Hello Cupcake at Dupont Circle Farmer's Market

It’s Farmers Market Season again! Woohoo!

This Sunday, May 17th, drop by the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market and check out Hello Cupcake for the Freshfarm Markets Chef at the Market series! They will be there demonstrating the use of fresh, local, in-season ingredients to create complimentary treats for farmer’s market attendees!

The Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market runs from 9am to 1pm, so don’t go too crazy on Saturday night! It’s located In the 1500 block of 20th St., between Massachusetts Ave. and Q St., in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank. Click here for map. The nearest Metro stop is Dupont Circle on the Red Line.

If you’re a Farmer’s Market fiend like me, then you will appreciate this website. It’s a guide to all the Farmer’s Markets in the DC/Metro Area. You’re welcome!

Hello Cupcake Donates to Share Our Strength

Make sure you drop into Hello Cupcake this week. I’m a little late on getting this out, but from May 11th through May 16th, Hello Cupcake will give 100% of the proceeds from the sale of its “Original” flavor cupcakes to Share Our Strength to help end child hunger in America.

Original flavor cupcakes include Chocolate or Vanilla Cake Cupcakes with Chocolate or Vanilla Buttercream topped with colorful confetti sprinkles.

Hello To Go!

Cupcakes on Wheels! Check out this release from the Hello Cupcake newsletter:

A recent addition to the Hello Cupcake team is wrapped in sprinkles and delivering sweetness all over the city. Our new delivery vehicle provides ample room for all the Hello Cupcake flavors while spreading the word about the shop to people throughout the District. Check out the rendering of our adorable cupcake-mobile (above). Keep an eye out and prepare yourself for Hello To Go! A 2-dozen minimum can be delivered anywhere in the district for a nominal flat fee. For large orders involving set-up (such as weddings or other social affairs) delivery charges vary. Our delivery service will be in full swing by the end of March!

Hello Cupcake Recipe Demonstration, TOMORROW

St. Patty’s Day is upon us! If you’re looking for a good Drunken Irish Cupcake recipe for all the St. Patrick’s Day festivities taking place this weekend, then you must watch (or DVR!) Channel 9 News at 9am TOMORROW, Wednesday March 11th! Hello Cupcake owner Penny Karas and one of her pastry chefs, Alanna Markley, will be on demonstrating how to make the shop’s Baileys Irish Dream Cupcake (seen above in a photo from their monthly(ish) newsletter). It’s a Guinness-infused chocolate cake topped with Bailey’s Irish Cream frosting.

So either catch the show or go pick up a few for yourself in the bakery! They’re available now through March 17th.

Hello Cupcake St. Patricks Day Flavor

It's almost the time of year for Drunken Irish Cupcakes!

Hello Cupcake has their own version with their "Bailey's Irish Dream," Available March 2-17th. The description says this cupcake is "a boozy celebration of St. Patricks Day! Dark, moist Guinness Chocolate Cake topped with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting and a lucky sugar shamrock." Pick a few up for your St. Patty's Day celebration!

Hello Cupcake Sweet Tart Cupcake

In continuing the run down of Valentine’s Day cupcakes this week, Hello Cupcake has their Sweet Tart Cupcake available from now through Saturday, February 14th. The Sweet Tart is a Pink Lemonade Cake topped with sweet lemon cream cheese frosting, and finished off with pink, white, and red hearts. If it’s anything like their You Tart cupcake, I’m sure it’s great!

Hello Cupcake’s Cherry Blossom cupcakes (an old photo, but thought it went well with the Valentine’s theme!)

By the way, I found out through one of the blog readers, Bryce, that Hello Cupcake has a frequent buyer card called Bakers Dozen! Yup. Buy 12 cupcakes and get one free! So buy 12 for someone special this Valentine’s Day, and save the freebie for yourself ;)

National Geographic Loves DC Area Cupcakes

Thanks to CTTC, I found out about this National Geographic Article on Cupcakeries! To encourage people to skip the box of chocolates this Valentine's Day and give a box of cupcakes, National Geographic put together "a select list of of top cupcakeries around the U.S." Fun! You can click here to read the whole article, but I'd just like to share who made the cut from our area.

Photo by Thomas Fahey, from National Geographic Article

Baltimore
Charm City Cupcakes Most unusual flavor: Ouzo Peach. Price: $1-2.50

Washington, D.C.

Georgetown Cupcake Most unusual flavor: Key Lime (key lime cake with key lime frosting topped with candied lime). Price: $2.75

Hello Cupcake Most unusual flavor: Tiramisu (espresso cake with mascarpone frosting). Price: $3

Red Velvet Cupcakery Most unusual flavor: Peanut Butter Cup (chocolate chocolate-chip cake with salted peanut butter frosting). Price: $3.25

Congrats on making the list!!

Sugar & Champagne Picture Recap

Remember the Washington Humane Society's Sugar & Champagne Affair I blogged about last month? Well Washingtonian Best Bites Blog posted some pictures from the event that I thought were worth sharing!

Says Best Bites, "Josh Short of Buzz Bakery in Alexandria decorated his chocolate. vanilla, and red velvet cupcakes to look like different breeds of dogs."

Hello Cupcake's Penny Karas holds a box of cupcakes

Some of Hello Cupcake's delicious cupcakes on a pretty little stand

All photographs are from The Washingtonian Best Bites Blog. Other cupcake bakers that were present, but I don't have any photos of, were SugaChef Desserts and Locolat. You can check out the whole recap on Best Bites Blog by clicking here!

Sugar & Champagne Affair - Washington Humane Society

Looking for a fun social event, and a great cause to get behind? Check out the 7^th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair being held at the Ritz Carlton on January 28^th, 2009 from 7:00 – 9:00pm. The event is being hosted by Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox Restaurant and Salamander Resort: Spa.

Guests and their dogs will be greeted by the world’s finest sparkling wines, champagne and delicious desserts from the area’s top Pastry Chefs. And I’m pleasantly surprised to see a number of local cupcake bakeries on the list of participating restaurants! Included on the list are Hello Cupcake, Buzz Bakery, Locolat, and Suga Chef Desserts. Lebanese Taverna, Brasserie Beck, Art & Soul, and 2941 are also on the list, along with beverages being provided by Moet Hennessey, Fabbioli Cellars, Country Vintner, Williams Harris Imports, and Mt. Gay Rum, to name a few. Check out the whole list of Participating Restaurants and Beverage Companies by clicking here.

Tickets are $85 per person, with a special VIP ticket for $125. The VIP reception will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and feature three 30 minute chef demonstrations. This annual event is in honor of the Washington Humane Society Officers who work 24-hours a day, saving the homeless, lost, neglected and abused animals and our Humane Education program that teaches elementary school children compassion and respect for animals.

There will also be a Book Signing by Harold J. Creel Jr., Author of Do Old Dogs Dream?

For more information about the event, including chefs, sponsors, tickets, or info on how to donate, check out the event homepage by clicking here.

The Ritz-Carlton
1150 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Wednesday, January 28
6:30pm – VIP Reception
7:00-9:00pm – General Reception

DC Area Obama Cupcake Round Up

For all you who will be in town for the Inauguration, I've rounded up where you can get your Obama Cupcakes! Check out the list below to see if your favorite bakery is making Obama Cupcakes. I myself will be escaping all the madness and heading to Indiana!

Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007
B&W will be serving up some really cool treats for Inauguration Day. The flavors that will be decorated are Red Velvet, Karen's Birthday, Vanilla/Vanilla, and Chocolate Doom! The prices will stay at $3.50/each. Aside from cupcakes, B&W will be making their “Big Ass Cookie,” which is an iced sugar cookie that will have fun sayings on them like, "Obama for your Mama, Barack and Roll, Change, Yes We Did, Sir Obamalot,” and well, you get the jist!

They’ll be open from 7am to 8pm next Tuesday, and will also have a TV set up so customers can watch the swearing in and any festivities!

Charm City Cupcakes
326 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
CCC will be selling the Obama Cupcakes you see below, along with a really cute limited edition cupcake/Inauguration T-shirt! 100% Cotton and in White, they come in both long-sleeve ($21.95) and short-sleeve ($17.95). Printed on the front: “The 2 Hottest Things in America” and on the back: A cupcake with an Obama-like campaign symbol. You can also purchase one online by clicking here!

Furin's of Georgetown

2805 M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007

Just voted DC'S Best Bakery by MSN Network 2008

Box of 6 Custom Obama Cupcakes $25

Georgetown Cupcake

1209 Potomac Street NW, Washington, DC

Available every day during Inauguration Week & by Special Order all month

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

2150 N. Culpeper Street Arlington, VA 22207

Heidelberg will have Red-White-Blue Patriotic Themed cupcakes available for purchase in honor of Obama's Inauguration. Call ahead for availability!

Hello Cupcake

1351 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036

Very Berry Obama: An explosion of red and blue berries in our moist vanilla cake, topped with tangy/sweet vanilla cream cheese frosting, “stars and bars” sprinkles, and an American flag.

Red Velvet Cupcakery
675 E. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Red Velvet Cupcakery is mixing up the most original Inauguration-themed cupcake in DC: The Big Kahuna. This will be a Hawaiian (Obama’s place of birth) inspired pineapple cake with coconut frosting and a Hawaiian sea-salt topping. No photos available yet as the cupcake is still in production! Since I will be out of town for Inauguration, if anyone snags one of these guys, be sure to take a picture and send it my way!

If you know of any who are not on this list, please share and I'll be happy to add them!