Best of NYC: The First Cupcakery Experience

I recently had the opportunity to visit the establishment that started it all for me – the Cupcake Cafe, located in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. The cupcakes were as beautifully decorated as I remember them being when I first pressed my fingers to the glass as a child. The icing quickly softens outside of the refrigerated case, and the flower petals are delicious to savor before biting into the moist case beneath.

 

With a mixture of nostalgia and just the right delivery of sugar, this place remains a favorite near and dear to my heart, as well as one of the original sources of my awakening to all of the wonders that are cupcakes.

Until next time,
SugarSource

Literary Treat

With summer right around the corner, this passage from Maya Angelou seemed only too appropriate:

           “They were flat round wafers,

                       slightly browned on the edges

                                      and butter-yellow in the center.

                                                      With the cold lemonade

                                                                     they were sufficient

                                                                                      for childhood’s lifelong diet.” 

 

Until next time,
SugarSource

Best of NYC: Bonbons Français

Bonbon français, or French sweets, are found throughout New York City. Though I am sure there are many other delightful places to try, I have given a few a go and I have to say, they are worth it!

– Francois Payard: The hot chocolate and pistachio macaron. Americans are used to the Swiss Miss variety of hot chocolate, generally speaking, and the French take this steamy creamy drink to the next level. It is as if they have melted chocolate bars, and poured this hot confection in your cup. Though I am pretty sure they add milk, this isn’t far from the process. The pistachio macaron was delightful as well – fluffy, not too buttery, with a pure pistachio flavor and a slight crunch from the nut.

– Bouchon Bakery: The vanilla macaron. I have tried many macarons around the city, and I have to say that the vanilla version at Bouchon is one of my favorites. Simple, yet packed with flavor, this little package is a perfect complement to any meal – breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso or drinks. The caramel version tastes as if you are biting into a soft caramel – delicious, but quite sweet – and the chocolate nutella is expectedly tasty, though not the standout here.

Raspberry almond croissant, Mille Feuille

– Mille Feuille: The raspberry croissant. I have written about this before, and I have to say, my original description rings true. As you sink your teeth into the pastry, you first taste a tart raspberry powder that sticks to your lips and teeth. After the initial tangy shock, you experience the flaky, buttery croissant and reach the filling – simple, marvelous raspberry jam, completing the experience. It will be gone before you know it, but try to savor it as much as possible.

– Maison Kayser: The almond croissant. The flakiness of the pastry, the rich creamy almond paste in the middle. A classic, and done wonderfully here at this boulanger. The fruit tarts – particularly the raspberry – were delicious as well. Simple flavor profiles executed exceptionally.

– Dominique Ansel: Perhaps best known for inventing the cronut, the originals in the bakery are my go-to, not the flashy new inventions (though his latest – cookie shots – did intrigue me). The cannele de Bordeaux are heavenly – a crunchy, caramel exterior lends to a soft, dense flavorful cake inside. Though small and simply flavored, they should not be underestimated. The little egg sandwich, while not particularly French, is a wonderful breakfast package you will not regret. Fluffy eggs, melty cheese, and bread that holds it own.

Bon appetit, mes amis!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Recipe: Cafe Latte Chocolate Cake Recreation

I found a recipe to recreate my favorite chocolate cake from Cafe Latte in the Twin Cities, and had to make the attempt (I don’t believe the bakery ships to the East Coast). It is a great addition to an Easter Day brunch or an occasion that calls for a chocolately celebration.

Ingredients
– egg  – vegetable oil  – buttermilk  – flour  – sugar  – cocoa powder  – salt  – baking soda  – hot coffee  – milk  – butter  – semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch cake pans.

Combine 1 egg, 2/3 cup oil and 1 cup buttermilk. In a large separate bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry until well-mixed. Slowly add 1 cup hot coffee, and pour the mixture equally between the two pans. If you have any extra, you can pour into a greased cupcake tin (make sure you adjust baking time, as they will be done faster than the larger cakes).

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the toothpicks come out clean. Rest in pans 10 minutes, then turn onto wire rack to cool completely.

While the cakes are cooling, mix 1/2 cup milk and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Add 6 tablespoons butter and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and add the chocolate chips, using a whisk to mix until smooth.

To assemble the cake, place the first layer on the serving tray, add a layer of frosting (use your discretion, but should be about 2/5 of the frosting). Place the second layer and use remaining frosting. It is a bit runny, so it is something to take into consideration when attempting to make designs.

Let cool and serve. Don’t be surprised if you receive requests for this cake again!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Best of: NYC Dining Out Desserts – Manhattan

Malted praline sundae,
BLT Prime

No dinner is complete without a little something sweet to conclude the meal. The Manhattan dining experience offers any number of opportunities, and I’ve provided a small selection of highlights.

– BLT Prime: Malted praline sundae. Recommended to me by a friend who frequents this restaurant, I decided to order it to understand why she was pushing this particular dessert. I was not disappointed – crunchy praline, the sharp crackle of caramelized sugar complemented by the malted vanilla ice cream made this particularly satisfying. Though it was shared between two of us, this might be one you could tackle yourself (if you go light on the steak and potatoes, that is).

– Commerce: The coconut cake. My first experience at this West Village restaurant was specifically for drinks and dessert. The slice appeared, the edges covered in flaky toasted coconut. The frosting is creamy without being heavy and has slight hints of vanilla, and the cake is fluffy with the added texture of shredded coconut dispersed throughout the batter. A wonderful way to end a night! I have also tried the birthday cake, and the highlight was that the frosting is completely coated in rainbow sprinkles, adding a different consistency alongside a serving of nostalgia.

– Hakkasan: coconut pudding. This upscale Chinese spot did not disappoint. The pudding had a rich flavor, assisted by the accompanying coconut sorbet, and the lime financier was an unexpected, but not unwelcome addition. The combination, topped with the dried slice of pineapple on top, provided a light and satiating experience without being overwhelmingly sweet. This is one I would certainly order again (especially because I will not be attempting to recreate this in my kitchen).

– Strip House: 24-layer chocolate cake. I will admit, I first heard of this towering wonder on an edition of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” A slight novelty, this dessert presents layer upon layer of chocolate fudgy frosting and devil’s food cake. There were three of us at the table, and we barely made it through a third of the multi-layered confection.

– STK: little ice creams. This is another that made the list more for the presentation than for the taste – they must scoop the ice cream and pre-freeze the cones, because they come out of the kitchen quite hard. I would recommend allowing them to warm up slightly to allow for optimal enjoyment. One word of caution: don’t bother with the birthday cake – heaps of sugary pink frosting don’t make up for the general “meh” of the cake (you can see it lurking in the back of the picture above).

Bon appetit!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Best of Brooklyn Sweets – First Edition

Pumpkin Cupcake,
Ladybird Bakery

Brooklyn offers an ever-growing, expansive variety of treats to try. Though I have only scratched the surface in terms of both establishments and neighborhoods, I wanted to share my top discoveries in the borough to date.

– Ring-a-Dings at Betty Bakery: Do not underestimate the power of these little treats, baked at this small shop on Atlantic Avenue. The chocolate shell, covered in a powdery cocoa coating, breaks with a crunch on the first bite. The silky vanilla filling and moist (but not too moist) devil’s food cake make this a decadent, satisfying treat especially if you find yourself craving a Hostess snack!

– Earl grey chocolate at Nunu Chocolates: Surprisingly one of my favorites in their classic chocolate box, these quarter-sized delights are made right in the store on Atlantic Avenue. Though I do also like the tea itself, the chocolate provides a new sweetness, an enhanced and different layer of flavor to the table. Next on my list to try are the beer-infused varieties available. Nunu is great to try at their brick and mortar establishment (along with the chocolate covered graham crackers – heavenly!), or to order for a hostess gift.

– Pumpkin cupcake at Ladybird Bakery: This small bake shop tucked away on 8th Avenue in Park Slope surprised me with their flavorful, moist pumpkin cupcake. Simply yet beautifully decorated, the frosting was  not too sweet and was the perfect complement to the rich spiciness of the cake itself. Cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of cardamom swirled into the batter made for a delicious experience, and I will be back to try another.

– The Cookie Monster at Farmacy: I have mentioned this previously, but this old-fashioned soda fountain is a gem. The establishment has a wonderful charm, offering egg creams, soda floats, malts, shakes and an expansive variety of sundaes. The Cookie Monster, certainly large enough to be shared, layers mint chocolate ice cream, fudge, and chocolate chip cookie crumbles, and is finished with a flourish of whipped cream and blue sprinkles (a tribute to the Sesame Street character). Do not be surprised if you have to fight for the last spoonfuls here.

Recommendations are always welcome as I venture deeper into Brooklyn for the best treats around!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Best of NYC Cookies – Manhattan

While cupcakes have been my preferred treat of choice when a sugar craving comes along, cookies have recently resurfaced as a close competitor. Naturally I sought to try as many varieties as possible, often comparing the classic chocolate chip cookies against one another. Though it is fun to sample the sweets from many bakeries, I have provided a quick run-through should you want to go straight to the best.

Salted Oat,
Milk & Cookies

Levain Bakery: Hands down the most delicious cookies I’ve tasted in Manhattan. Warm, gooey, chocolate messiness all combine to make these mouth-watering treats absolutely divine. The double chocolate peanut butter is a favorite, though it is quite heavy – I recommend sharing it with at least one other person, if not two. You won’t be able to stop yourself and before you know it, you have a stomachache but a fond memory of a phenomenal cookie.

Petrossian: Known for the caviar that comes in it’s signature tins, Petrossian has a surprisingly great chocolate chip cookie available at the cafe on 7th Avenue. Instead of the traditional chips, there are basically layers of chocolate instead hidden behind a crisp exterior. This is a good accompaniment for a midday espresso (it’s a big cookie, so you may want to make it a double).

Jacques Torres: Coined Mr. Chocolate, it comes as no surprise that he bakes a mean chocolate chip cookie. His (adapted) recipe was published in the New York Times, and is touted across Pinterest as one of the best recipes for these classic sweet staples. Similar to the Petrossian cookie, he uses thin layers of chocolate throughout the cookie, not chips, which ensures that each bite you take packs a chocolate punch.

Pasticceria Rocco: Though I have not sampled a regular chocolate chip cookie here, the M&M cookies are enormous and studded with the little candies. You see them immediately upon approaching the Italian bakery, as all of the varieties are displayed in the window. While they don’t have the more complex flavor profile of some of the other listings, they are still on my favorites list. The employee at the counter will typically check the cookie you have selected to ensure you are receiving a soft cookie (no crispy or hard cookies here!), which is a nice touch.

Selection at Schmackary’s

Milk & Cookies: At this West Village bakery, the stand-out is one of the simplest available – the salted oat. A well-balanced blend of salty and sweet, it’s the right size for one person (several of the others listed above should be shared). The whoopie pie was not extraordinary – the frosting in particular was underwhelming and bland – and the Bacon Smack – maple syrup, bacon, cranberries, dark chocolate, toffee and graham crackers – is too much crammed into one package.

Schmackary’s: I would recommend trying some of the more unique combinations at this Hell’s Kitchen institution. The fluffer nutter (peanut butter), maple bacon and red velvet are favorites in my office. The Sch’mores, though tasty, only vaguely resembles the classic campfire treat, but I happen to be a sucker for marshmallow frosting and include this in my selection almost every time. They also offer a few seasonally-inspired flavors like the Caramel Apple Crisp, which had a surprising (and pleasing) flavor profile.

I hope this is helpful, particularly if you happen to be on a cookie quest here in New York! I know I’m now craving a cookie (or two). First stop? Levain Bakery…

Until next time,
SugarSource

Travel Spotlight: Chicago

Mille Feuille, Au Cheval

The Windy City is known for extraordinary dining experiences (look no further than Alinea), and it comes as no surprise that they have some of the top sweets destinations as well.

– Cupcakes: Molly’s Cupcakes. The swings at the cupcake counter, the sprinkle station, and the fantastic flavors have made this cupcakery one of my favorites. From the Cookie Monster (filled with “cookie dough.” this cupcake leaves you happily satisfied without the salmonella concern from eating real cookie dough) to the Ron Bennington (fudgy chocolate and peanut butter wonder that should always be accompanied by a glass of water or milk) to the Peach Cobbler (absolutely stunning…and one of the reasons why this bakery won Cupcake Wars!). I have not had a cupcake here I haven’t liked. With a wide range of options, from the classic to the seasonal to the slightly out there, Molly’s has something to satisfy any sweet tooth.

– Cupcakes For Grown-Ups: More Cupcakes. These cupcakes are beautifully decorated (the chocolate curls alone are a delicate, elegant and tasty touch), and the store carries many alcohol-inspired and -infused varieties. They used to have a happy hour every so often where you could try miniature versions of the cocktail cakes. More is the place to get exceptional cupcakes for an adult’s birthday party or office event, with a professional look and mature flavor profile. Another bonus? They will deliver cupcakes outside of Illinois, packed in dry ice (I may have been lucky enough to receive a dozen in Manhattan)!

Carrot Cake Club, Angel Food Bakery

– The Mille Feuille: Au Cheval. The waitress made her way to the table with the dessert, and our eyes widened. Layer upon layer of flaky pastry separate vanilla pastry cream. With a decisive thwap, she split the massive dessert in half, explaining that it helps guests tackle the piles of deliciousness. We were only able to consume about half of the sugary wonder, and I would absolutely order it again.

– Retro Treats: Angel Food Bakery. This hidden gem houses a wonderful collection of vintage Easy Bake ovens (and similar toys), and is a throwback bakery of sorts turning out homemade versions of Hostess products like Twinkies. We decided to go for the Carrot Cake Club, as was recommended by the woman behind the counter. At first glance, it could pass as an enormous finger sandwich topped with a pimento olive. However, one forkful and you will recognize that this is not your average lunch item. Two thick slices of moist, cinnamon-infused carrot cake sandwich the velvety cream cheese frosting. I would recommend splitting with another person, although I’m sure you could manage to tackle the entire thing given the time (or the level of empty stomach!).

– Frosting Shots: Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique. If you ever really need a sudden jolt of sugar, look no further than the frosting shots at Sugar Bliss, located off of Millennium Park. However, be warned: you are almost guaranteed a sugar-high.

Once again, just a slice of the many sweet experiences to be had, but a good place to start to sample some of Chicago’s best!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Best of Breakfast Sweets – Manhattan

Raspberry almond croissant, Mille Feuille

While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, there is something to be said for starting off on the right (sweet) foot.

Croissants. The raspberry croissant at Mille Feuille in Greenwich Village is a step above the rest. As you sink your teeth into the pastry, you first taste a tart raspberry powder that sticks to your lips. After the initial tangy shock, you break into the flaky, buttery croissant and reach the filling – simple, marvelous raspberry jam, completing the experience. It will be gone before you know it, but try to savor it as much as possible.

Scones. From the seasonal caramel-drenched pumpkin scone to the classic buttermilk, Alice’s Tea Cup is known for scones for a reason. These baked goods are quite sizable, with a slightly crunchy outside, soft inside and mellow buttery base. Paired with one of their egg dishes, eaten with the traditional clotted cream and jam, or enjoyed on their own, they are worth a visit to one of Alice’s locations.

Pancakes. Prepare for a wait at Clinton St Baking Co – the classic pancakes at this brunch and dinner establishment on the Lower East Side are scrumptious. Well-balanced and not to sweet, with traditional additions such as blueberries and bananas you can’t go wrong with your selection.  This hopping spot also celebrates Pancake Month by having special flavors throughout February including German chocolate cake and Japanese pumpkin (I have already marked my calendar for 2014). Alternatively the lemon ricotta pancakes at Maialino at the Gramercy Hotel are phenomenal. Light and fluffy, the lemon zest provides an almost magical boost to take the pancakes to another level. Served with a mixed berry compote, the flapjacks disappeared much too quickly for my liking, and left me eager to return.

Doughnuts. The Doughnut Plant stole my heart with their peanut butter and jelly confection. A peanut butter glaze studded with roasted peanuts coats the entire square-shaped doughnut, which is filled with the house-made jam of the moment (I had grape). It is hard to figure out the engineering behind this marvel – how do they get the jam all the way around the square doughnut? – but I was primarily focused on savoring every last bite.

Other pastries have appeared recently on the scene, such as cronuts. First coined at Dominique Ansel bakery (where I much prefer the little egg sandwich and cannele), the craze spread throughout the city, even hitting chains like Crumbs and Dunkin Donuts. In the breakfast pastry world, who knows what will follow this latest twist…

Until next time,

SugarSource

Travel Spotlight: Treats in the Twin Cities

Turtle Cake, Cafe Latte

The Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul – not only hold the title of Healthiest City and play host to the largest shopping center in the US (aptly named Mall of America), they also offer  a wide variety of highly-rated culinary experiences. While we won’t get into the phenomenal pho or housemade pasta favorites, there are some sweets that should not be missed on your next trip to the Midwest.

– 112 Eatery: The Butterscotch Budino. This is an amazing little pot of cream and butterscotch pudding. Rich and satisfying, every spoonful feels like a new experience into the complex world of butterscotchy-caramelly heaven. Quite small, but sizable in flavor, it’s a fantastic way to finish a meal. If you manage to still have room, I would also recommend the tres leches cake as well. The sweet milk-drenched cake is out-of-this-world, and melts in your mouth.

– Cafe Latte: Chocolate Chocolate Cake. Ridiculously moist and rich in cocoa flavor this cake, time and time again, ranks in my top cakes in the United States. The fudgy frosting is layered thickly between slabs of dark chocolate cake – each forkful feels just as indulgent as the last. For those who would like an added layer of extravagance, request the Turtle version, which is smothered in a thick caramel and covered in pecans.

– Salty Tart: The Special Cupcake. The cupcake of the day (or week) will vary, but the few I have had the fortune to try have been fantastic. Dulce de leche had a nicely balanced cake with a decadent filling and a hefty helping of vanilla-based frosting. The passionfruit cupcake, on the other hand, was lighter and the tangy curd hidden within was true to the fruit’s flavor.

Wuollets Cupcake

– Sebastian Joe’s: Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. This Minneapolis mainstay boasts a sizable array of homemade ice cream. Although I’m sure any would be wonderful, I highly recommend the raspberry chocolate chip – crushed raspberries give the base a mellow, natural flavor, and sizable dark chocolate chunks round out this heavenly combination. The Oreo is also worth a try – you can truly taste the cookies in every bite.

– Wuollets: Best Cakes For Special Occasions. The classic cakes baked here (delicious on their own) are taken to the next level by the decorators in residents. Whether it is petit fours shaped like presents for a parent’s birthday soirée or an animal-themed crowd-pleaser for a children’s party, Wuollets has nailed it every time. The basic white frosting is not overly sweet, and is absolutely unique – I have not yet tried anything similar – and the chocolate chip cupcake has remained a fan favorite for well over two decades.

Finally, the Peanut Butter Cupcake at the Bulldog Northeast deserves an honorable mention. This fantastic burger place served up a surprisingly delicious cupcake! The peanut butter frosting sticks to the roof of your mouth in the best of ways.

I can’t wait to see where my travels (and tastebuds) take me next! Seattle? Chicago? It remains to be seen…

Until next time,

SugarSource