False.
I absolutely judge a cupcake by its frosting, but that's the closest parallel I could create to "don't judge a book by its cover."
I love cupcakes. That's not new information (unless you're new to my blog. Welcome!)
My friends/family give me books...
stickers...
etc. with cupcakes on them.
I always look for cupcake bakeries when we visit a new city. It's borderline obsessive =) The latest occurance of this was our trip to Sweet while in Boston!
Anyway, back to the point of this post. I was sitting here looking at the website for a cupcake bakery here in the QC, and I thought to myself, "these cupcakes don't look that great." This is the bakery that Papas came home RAVING about after he tried one of their creations at his office. I'm skeptical (and maybe that's just because my skepticism is an "excuse" to go and try one).
It got me thinking... do you judge a cupcake by it's frosting? I surely do. And I would say that 50% of the time, I am disappointed. And sometimes it's not because of the frosting. More often than not, the cake is too dry. And that's a deal breaker for me. Even WORSE is a dry cupcake with bad icing.
Okay, so here are a few of my reviews (and by all means, if you have a great cupcake place in your area, feel free to share the name!)
Crumbs Bakeshop (I've had them in both NYC and LA) - definitely one of my favorites. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've tried a hefty 75% of their cupcake menu, I'm sure. The shop was about 5 minutes from where I worked in West Hollywood last summer (plus, it was a great excuse to drive through Beverly Hills... I digress).
This is my favorite from Crumbs: the Caramel Apple
With real pieces of baked cinnamon apple in the center, it is so incredibly moist. yum.
This also looks pretty good. I've never tried the s'more one, but that's only because it hasn't been in the case when I've gone. Add it to the bucket list perhaps? LOL.
Sprinkles is a definite tie for #1 on the favorites list. I've never had a Sprinkles cupcake that was anything short of moist and delicious. And even better, you can purchase their mix in 8 (or so) flavors and make them at home. The red velvet is my favorite so far. Looking forward to trying the pumpkin!
(Oh! And I really love their flavors chart. Yes, I'm an organizational dork)
Cupcake in Charleston, SC is my #2. Mommacita and I took a girls trip last summer (or maybe Summer '08) to Charleston. I discovered Cupcake (thanks to a Google search) before we left.
I'd love to tell you that these cupcakes look better than they taste, because seriously, look how great that cupcake looks?! But that would be a lie. It was so moist, and the frosting was incredibly creamy. Definitely, the best red velvet cupcake that I've ever had. That's right, I said it.
Honestly, I want to go back to Charleston just to try more of their flavors (and maybe stop by Magnolias for the best fried green tomatoes, grits 3-ways, and according to Tyler Florence, the best homemade pimento cheese)
Moving right along...
Magnolia Bakery. Unfortunately, the hype is a gross overstatement of these confectionery creations (they are very pretty though)
I have never been so disappointed in a cupcake. The cake was incredibly dry. But don't worry, Magnolia still gets my money. They have the BEST banana pudding ever.
OKC establishments:
Cuppies and Joe - Not my favorite, but it's pretty good. The banana cuppie is nice and moist.
Ruth's Sweete Justice - I really like the "Buster Brown—Spice cake infused with caramel buttercream and topped with a cinnamon ganache"
But if you're going to go to Ruth's, you've got to try the iced rounds. These aren't your momma's sugar cookies. They are affectionately called "crack cookies" because they are so addictive... and my oh my it's true. yum, yum, yum. Pick up a dozen next time you're there. But good luck getting that dozen home, they will mysteriously disappear on the drive... and you'll have a hard time sharing, I promise you that.
Saturn Grill - one of my favorite lunch/dinner places, and their red velvet cupcakes (and pumpkin cookies) are pretty delicious as well.
Oh! Here is the pic that got all this started -
SAS Cupcake in Charlotte, NC.
I'm still not sold on the appearance, but I'll let my taste buds do the deciding.
Well, hopefully I haven't put you in a cupcake induced sugar coma! Thank God tomorrow's Friday!!! xoxo, E
I love cupcakes. That's not new information (unless you're new to my blog. Welcome!)
My friends/family give me books...
stickers...
etc. with cupcakes on them.
I always look for cupcake bakeries when we visit a new city. It's borderline obsessive =) The latest occurance of this was our trip to Sweet while in Boston!
Anyway, back to the point of this post. I was sitting here looking at the website for a cupcake bakery here in the QC, and I thought to myself, "these cupcakes don't look that great." This is the bakery that Papas came home RAVING about after he tried one of their creations at his office. I'm skeptical (and maybe that's just because my skepticism is an "excuse" to go and try one).
It got me thinking... do you judge a cupcake by it's frosting? I surely do. And I would say that 50% of the time, I am disappointed. And sometimes it's not because of the frosting. More often than not, the cake is too dry. And that's a deal breaker for me. Even WORSE is a dry cupcake with bad icing.
Okay, so here are a few of my reviews (and by all means, if you have a great cupcake place in your area, feel free to share the name!)
Crumbs Bakeshop (I've had them in both NYC and LA) - definitely one of my favorites. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've tried a hefty 75% of their cupcake menu, I'm sure. The shop was about 5 minutes from where I worked in West Hollywood last summer (plus, it was a great excuse to drive through Beverly Hills... I digress).
This is my favorite from Crumbs: the Caramel Apple
With real pieces of baked cinnamon apple in the center, it is so incredibly moist. yum.
This also looks pretty good. I've never tried the s'more one, but that's only because it hasn't been in the case when I've gone. Add it to the bucket list perhaps? LOL.
Sprinkles is a definite tie for #1 on the favorites list. I've never had a Sprinkles cupcake that was anything short of moist and delicious. And even better, you can purchase their mix in 8 (or so) flavors and make them at home. The red velvet is my favorite so far. Looking forward to trying the pumpkin!
(Oh! And I really love their flavors chart. Yes, I'm an organizational dork)
Cupcake in Charleston, SC is my #2. Mommacita and I took a girls trip last summer (or maybe Summer '08) to Charleston. I discovered Cupcake (thanks to a Google search) before we left.
I'd love to tell you that these cupcakes look better than they taste, because seriously, look how great that cupcake looks?! But that would be a lie. It was so moist, and the frosting was incredibly creamy. Definitely, the best red velvet cupcake that I've ever had. That's right, I said it.
Honestly, I want to go back to Charleston just to try more of their flavors (and maybe stop by Magnolias for the best fried green tomatoes, grits 3-ways, and according to Tyler Florence, the best homemade pimento cheese)
Moving right along...
Magnolia Bakery. Unfortunately, the hype is a gross overstatement of these confectionery creations (they are very pretty though)
I have never been so disappointed in a cupcake. The cake was incredibly dry. But don't worry, Magnolia still gets my money. They have the BEST banana pudding ever.
OKC establishments:
Cuppies and Joe - Not my favorite, but it's pretty good. The banana cuppie is nice and moist.
Ruth's Sweete Justice - I really like the "Buster Brown—Spice cake infused with caramel buttercream and topped with a cinnamon ganache"
But if you're going to go to Ruth's, you've got to try the iced rounds. These aren't your momma's sugar cookies. They are affectionately called "crack cookies" because they are so addictive... and my oh my it's true. yum, yum, yum. Pick up a dozen next time you're there. But good luck getting that dozen home, they will mysteriously disappear on the drive... and you'll have a hard time sharing, I promise you that.
Saturn Grill - one of my favorite lunch/dinner places, and their red velvet cupcakes (and pumpkin cookies) are pretty delicious as well.
Oh! Here is the pic that got all this started -
SAS Cupcake in Charlotte, NC.
I'm still not sold on the appearance, but I'll let my taste buds do the deciding.
Well, hopefully I haven't put you in a cupcake induced sugar coma! Thank God tomorrow's Friday!!! xoxo, E
I've been dying to make cupcakes recently, and I definitely think I will after reading this. :) If you're ver in DC you should go to Georgetown Cupcake. Their's are to DIE for. I'm sure a cupcake fanatic like yourself would appreciate it :)
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