The Country’s Best Cupcakes from MSN Cityguide
MSN published thier list of the top 11 cupcakes in the US. Eleven is a round number for a list, don’t you think? But I guess you can’t ever have too many cupcakes.
Here is a link to the full article, and a short list of thier picks.
1* Saint Cupcake - Portland, Oregon
(The Fat Elvis) Sweet banana and chocolate chip cake, smeared with peanut butter fudge frosting and topped with a fried banana chip
2* Baked - Brooklyn, New York
(Sweet and Salty) Dark chocolate cake infused with salty caramel, topped with caramel chocolate ganache and fleur de sel
3* Main Street Cupcakes - Hudson, Ohio
(Half-Baked) Dark chocolate cake stuffed with chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookie dough, then finished with chocolate buttercream
4* Cupcakes - Chicago, Illinois (Peanut Butter & Jelly)
5* Cupcake Royale - Seattle, Washington (Lavender)
6* Dozen Cupcakes - Pittsburgh (East End Chocolate Stout)
7* Love at First Bite - Berkeley, California (Ginger Babycake)
8* Sugar Sweet Sunshine - New York, New York (Pistachio Cupcake) — one of my personal favorites!!!
9* Cake Fetish - Albuquerque, New Mexico (Fluffer Nutter)
10* Lilly Jane’s Cupcakes - Eagle, Idaho (Orange Ginger)
11* Back in the Day Bakery - Savannah, GA (Lemon Coconut)
It’s a solid list, though the DC area is noticeably absent! I’d have to add the following three to make it complete. 
* Honeybee Bakeshop - Arlington, Virginia (Wine & Cheese)
* Hello Cupcake - Seattle, Washington (Chocolate Mocha)
* Lavender Moon - Alexandria, VA (Smores)
Posted in Musings and Inspiration.
By Queen Bee
– January 10, 2009
National Capital Area Cake Show- Class Schedule on line now!
January 2009
Now that it is officially 2009, let’s talk about how excited I am about the
National Capital Area Cake Show (
http://www.cakeshow.org/) which is coming up in March. Cake displays and demonstrations, a food network style challenge between decorating all-stars and lots of cake related mayhem. Really there is something for everyone who likes to look at, decorate, or eat cake! Plus all the profits are donated to local charities.
If you are interested in taking a class, I’d recommend signing up soon to ensure your place. There are lots of great teachers and topic available!
Here is the OFFICIAL announcement:
Hey All!
I wanted you to be the first to hear that class registration for the National Capital Area Cake Show, March 21 & 22, 2009 is NOW OPEN ONLINE!
Just go to www.cakeshow.org, under upcoming shows, and then under classes and demos, you will see the list of classes and most have a picture of the project. The classrooms this year are actually classrooms, some that require it are fully equipped kitchen classrooms. All will have audio visual support that will ensure that everyone can hear, see and learn! Its going to be great fun!
There are some really fabulous teachers this year so don’t miss out - look today and register!
Also just to clarify, your tickets to the Main Live Challenge on Sat. ($25) are come and go tickets! So yes, you can register for a class, leave the challenge for it and then come back and see the finale! no problem.
And I know you cake people know lots of people! So please help us spread the word about the show and the classes! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Thanks so much for all of your support!
Amie W.
National Capital Area Cake Show - Publicity
www.cakeshow.org
Posted in Announcements.
Tagged with cakeshow, NCACS.
By Queen Bee
– January 7, 2009
December 2008
Let it Snow
I love snow. Wait, that isn’t accurate. I love the idea of perfect fluffy white snow, snowmen, icicles and sledding. The actual cold, wet, and slippery nature of the stuff can be a buzzkill. Luckily, I have a weak bond with reality.
This cake celebrates the pure white “luster of new fallen snow”. Trevor turned me on to these great snowflake presses that turn out perfect blizzards. A layer of iridescent luster dust and some coarse sugar and this baby sparkles. The picture doesn’t give the full effect, but I love it.
For version two of this cake I tinted the icing with a bit of blue so that the snowflakes would stand out more. But I think that it lost that snowdrift quality.
I also created these little white chocolate snowman lollipops to take on the Christmas party circuit. A great way to finish off a plate of homemade cookies. The back of the pops have a sprinkle of crushed candycane for a winter kick. (Mmmm, chocolate and peppermint.)
The details of the eyes, scarf and buttons were somewhat lost, so I highlighted them with red and green petal dust and then gave everything a coat of pearl luster to shine them back up.
And don’t forget to button up that overcoat. Merry Christmas to all!
Cake Details:
Cake: Chocolate with Vietnamese Cinnamon
Filling: Mint Chocolate
Icing: Double Whipped Vanilla
Decorations: Fonadant snowflakes, coarse sugar, pear and luster dusts
Posted in Celebration Cakes, Chocolates.
Tagged with blue, christmas, lollipop, snowflakes, winter.
By Queen Bee
– December 17, 2008
December 2008
Chocolate Guitars
These favors were created for the “Rock the Cradle” baby shower. They are about 7 inches high and made with layered dark and blue chocolate.
Suzanne from “Stamps and Papercuts” created the bag toppers which accented the colors and gave it a finished look. I look forward to working with her again because her designs are so fun and include such great details.
Posted in Chocolates.
Tagged with baby, guitar.
By Queen Bee
– December 16, 2008
December 2008
Rock the Cradle
Cheryl is not a pastel ribbon and booties kind of mom and her baby shower reflected that. Boas, blow up guitars, a great soundtrack, guests wearing fishnets stocking, and nary a stork in sight! Her shower theme was Rock the Cradle to reflect her love of music, but I also wanted to bring in elements of the monkey/jungle theme in the nursery. And that my friends is how this little guy learned to play the guitar.
Cake Details:
Cake: Chocolate Star (Chocolate with chocolate pudding mix added)
Filling: Chocolate ganache
Icing: Vanilla
Decorations: Piped Buttercream and Chocolate Icing
Posted in Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with baby, guitar, monkey, star.
By Queen Bee
– December 16, 2008
