Unexpected Find: DQ Cupcake

Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy simple pleasures, like running through sprinklers, attempting to catch fireflies, and indulging in ice cream cake. I experienced an interesting twist on this last luxury during a chance visit to a Dairy Queen recently. Though it appeared like any other, this particular location was different, as it had…ice cream cupcakes. There was only one remaining in the case, and I knew it was destiny.

I allowed the little cup of joy to thaw for a few minutes, then began to dig into the layers. The first was light, fluffy whipped topping traditionally piped along the edges of DQ’s cakes. Underneath I discovered chocolate ice cream heavily peppered with cookie dough bites. Though patience was required, I eventually reached the semi-sweet fudge and chocolate crunch layers unique to this chain’s cakes. The final layer was traditional vanilla soft-serve. It was a hearty serving for one person to consume and I was up for the challenge (though I did share a few spoonfuls with my companions). The whole experience was as delightful as the larger cakes, and provided for the satisfaction of polishing off the small sundae cup in one sitting.

When I next swing by a Dairy Queen (most likely around this time next year), I will be searching for these little gems and I would highly recommend doing the same!

Until next time,
SugarSource

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

Travel Spotlight: Cali Cakes

Motto of Citizen Cake

California offers much more than beaches, sand and sun – it presents a plethora of sweets for the trying. From exploring Northern and Southern regions, and even venturing to an island, the Golden State offers a wide variety of tasty treats.

San Francisco
– Citizen Cake: I tried the pineapple upside down cupcake because, on the small description card next to this particular treat, it mentioned it was featured on the Food Network. It was a little late in the day, so I can excuse that the cake was not as moist as it may have been right after it was baked. I enjoyed the overall flavor, and the caramelized, syrupy pineapple made for an atypical cake consistency. I’m sorry to report that this cute place has closed.
– Andersen Bakery: The Halloween cupcake – vanilla cupcake with pumpkin spice frosting – was the natural selection for the time of year for my first visit. The cake had a nice consistency, though the frosting was a little too sweet (imagine when your teeth ache a bit from the punch of sugar).

Santa Monica
– Yummy Cupcake: The banana split cupcake was not particularly reminiscent of the classic ice cream sundae. The cake did not have a strong banana presence, though it was topped with a maraschino cherry. Caramel corn was a somewhat new one – I had tried kettle corn at Sweets Bakeshop before. The frosting had a slight caramel flavor, though the cake did not resemble a texture similar to popcorn.

Pubcakes

San Diego
– Heavenly Cupcake: The strawberry cupcake was about average – the flavor was pleasant, not artificial though not particularly strong either. The chocolate kahlua lacked the essence of the liqueur, and the cake itself was fine. Nothing particularly special or memorable, and provides a good sugar rush in a pinch.
– PubCakes: This San Diego establishment no longer has a brick-and-mortar store, shifting instead to farmer’s markets and festivals. I would highly recommend giving it a whirl. I am biased because I appreciated their approach – there aren’t too many beer-themed bakeries out in the world (though I have tried Prohibition Bakery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan as well). The top ten cake, made from a concoction of IPA, cayenne caramel and cherry, topped with ancho chile frosting, was nice and spicy. The red velvet glove was relatively mild amongst the other selections with a milk-based frosting while the stoned portzilla  packed a punch with porter, coffee ganache and caramelized coconut. The smoking chimpanzee was another highlight (I’m partial to treats with a little heat), and this was no exception – chocolate cake with chipotle whipped cream and banana chocolate ganache.

Pumpkin cupcake,
Andersen Bakery

– Frosted Robin: Located in Seaport Village, this sunny little bake shop offers a good variety of cupcakes and other treats. We tried the Cayman, a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander in a vanilla-based cake. It was topped with a thick (and very sweet) frosting with cinnamon dusted across the top. I could have spent more time in the cheerful interior, and would be up for giving another one a try.
– Coronado Cupcakery: This cupcakery is located on Coronado Island. The trip over the bridge is worth doing itself, though I wouldn’t recommend adding this bakery to the “to do” list. The Mexican chocolate and chai tea cupcakes were overpriced and underwhelming, resembling more of a muffin than a cupcake (denser, less fluffy). The frosting had an odd aftertaste, a flavor that was strange and difficult to discern.

While I was able to sample quite a few varieties, I know there is much left to taste. As always, suggestions are more than welcome!

Until next time,
SugarSource

Travel Spotlight: Seattle Sweet Spots

Doughnut,
Top Pot

Seattle may be best known as the birth place of Starbucks and for the 12th Man, but it has quite a few sweets to offer to visitors and residents alike. I swept through the city on a business trip, and managed to sample some of Seattle’s sugary selections while in town.

Top Pot. Touted for it’s hand-forged doughnuts, it is no surprise that this local shop made the list. While I preferred raised as a child, cake are my go-to these days and though I made the switch, my love of sprinkles has remained consistent. The chocolate icing was a sweet balance to the salty-sweet cake dough. And the sprinkles? The perfect complement.

Chocolate Box. Located about a half-mile off of Pike’s Place, this wonderland has cakes, cookies, macaroons, and a wide variety of chocolates and wines available for tasting and purchase. They had a small selection of cupcakes available from Pinkabella, and I tried the snickerdoodle. It was moist and dense with a strong cinnamon profile. I would give another a try, though I would probably try to seek out one of the bakery’s locations to see the full cupcake spread.

Cupcakes,
Yellow Leaf

Cupcake Royale. Blackberries were in season while I was visiting, so the blackberry buckle was a natural choice. A substantial mound of blackberry-flavored frosting greeted me – it wasn’t until my second bite that I reached the delicate, fluffy cake below. It was delicious, a wonderful combination of vanilla and natural blackberry flavor fused together in a small, delightful package. This experience, combined with the cupcakery’s encouragement to practice “Random Acts of Kindness,” makes this institution “king” in my book.

Yellow Leaf Cupcakes. This small shop, which refers to itself as a “micro bakery,” manages to pack a large variety of cupcakes in a small space. I gave two a try:  chocolate pomegranate and passionfruit guava. The chocolate pomegranate lacked the distinct flavor of the fruit, which I imagine is hard to capture naturally. The cake was unremarkable – neither dry nor too moist, but not memorable either. The passionfruit curd of the second cupcake was wonderfully tart and sweet, though the frosting was flavorless with the consistency of shortening.

I was pleasantly pleased with the few treats I managed to taste while in town, and I look forward to trying several more on my next visit to The Emerald City.

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

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

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

Best of NYC Cupcakes – Manhattan

In the city that helped kick off the cupcake craze, I have tried quite a few different cupcakes. 44 establishments and 90 different cupcakes later, I have gotten a good sense of the variety and quality available (at least in the Manhattan area).

Cupcake variety,
Buttercup Bake Shop

– Café  Angelique: Mellow Days. I have mentioned this previously but I will mention it again. These delightful treats are flavorful, sugary enough to satisfy a strong sweet tooth, and a surprising find for a non-cupcake-centric shop.

– Magnolia Bakery: Coconut Lemon. A fluffy marshmallow frosting covered in flakes of coconut, the lemon cake is nicely balanced and tastes like lemon, not an artificial interpretation of lemon. The curd hidden in the middle (also lemon) was a bonus, adding an additional layer of tangy lemon to the experience. This specialty cupcake (purchased in the spring around Easter) is worth tracking down.

– Buttercup Bake Shop: Devil Dog. The whipped meringue frosting is sticky to the touch and reminiscent of a just-melted marshmallow, and coated with a dark chocolate drizzle.  The light chocolate cake is well-balanced with a good cocoa presence, but the frosting is the clear star in this combination.

– Eleni’s: Boston Cream Pie. This gluten-free bakery packs this New England classic with many complementary flavors. A rich custard-like filling, a silky chocolate ganache, and a chocolate cake base strong enough to bring everything together, this is one complete and heavenly package.

Cupcake Cafe

– Amy’s Bread: Devil’s Food. If you are searching for an intense chocolate experience, this is the cupcake for you. Rich, thick chocolate icing top Amy’s moist, rich chocolate cake. Bite after bite, you experience the same cocoa immersion, waves of chocolate coursing through your veins.

– Cupcake Cafe: Chocolate with Vanilla. I cannot resist including the first cupcakery I experienced in New York long ago at the age of 9. The tradition of beautifully decorated cupcakes is upheld with unwavering quality at this landmark. The soft buttercream frosting, the intricate flowers, and the simple, classic flavors make this a must-try for any New Yorker serious about their cupcakes.

Though the first “Best of NYC Cupcakes” was Manhattan-focused, there are great bakeries sprinkled throughout the four boroughs, and many yet to be experienced. I’m looking at you, Brooklyn!

Until next time,

SugarSource

Sweet Go-Tos – New York Edition

New York offers a wide variety of traditional as well as atypical confections for enjoyment. Through experimenting and many afternoons of taste-testing, I have found a few to be fail-safe when a hankering for something sweet comes along.

Mellow Days,
Cafe Angelique

Cookies: Levain Bakery is at the top of my list. A small storefront identified by the bright blue awning (and the possible gathering or line out front) on 74th St on the Upper West Side houses delectable cookies. With four flavors to choose from, you can’t go wrong though my personal favorites are the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and the Dark Chocolate Chocolate chip. Warm and gooey, you will quickly have your hands covered in chocolate and your belly will be full of warm cookie. These are large and rich, so I would suggest sharing unless you are willing to suffer the consequences of overindulgence.

Cupcakes: Cafe Angelique. This West Village cafe has some of the best, most balanced cupcakes I’ve tasted in New York. The Mellow Days has a well-balanced, moist and springy vanilla cake topped with a mellow vanilla icing (hence the name) and a few mini marshmallows. The peppermint cupcake was refreshing and had a snap to it similar to that of a candy cane.

Ice Cream Sundae: Farmacy. This Brooklyn Heights tribute to the soda fountains of old will take you back to another time.  Homemade whoopie pies and shakes are available alongside a lengthy list of decadent sundaes. From favorites like a Warm Brownie Sundae to more daring combinations such as The Elvis (chocolate chip ice cream, peanut butter, candied bacon and a pickle slice), Farmacy has something to please anyone. My personal favorite is The Cookie Monster, an ode to the Sesame Street character, complete with a hearty sprinkling of blue sugar.

The Cookie Monster,
Farmacy

Pudding: Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Though Magnolia Bakery and Buttercup Bakeshop have delicious banana puddings, the chocolate chip pudding at Sugar Sweet Sunshine is a cut above the rest. Layers of whipped cream, broken bits of homemade chocolate chip cookies, and butterscotch pudding combine to be absolutely outstanding.

This is not an exhaustive list, by any means, as there are many other forms of dessert that have been left off this list. Perhaps for a post in the future…

Until next time,

SugarSource