tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53930295295064567512024-03-14T07:44:02.123-04:00cupcake correspondentsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-12186231239033602212014-03-16T17:35:00.000-04:002014-03-16T17:38:42.510-04:00Sprinkles: Georgetown / Washington D.C.Sprinkles<br />
<i>Regular: $3.75</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Our first coast to coast tasting. We visited our first Sprinkles shop in Los Angeles last year </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">(blog name: Sprinkles: Los Angeles, CA) </span></span></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and enjoyed our visit and this one was no different.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The Los Angeles location was a little harder to find and this one in Georgetown was so </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">much easier to find with the bright bubble gum pink store front. I love the decor that Sprinkles has: it's clean, modern, clever, eco green and just cute as a button. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The costumer service was top notch. Friendly and helpful not only to customers but to each fellow worker. The </span>atmosphere<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> was calm and inviting. I has surprised to see two booth areas to sit down and eat. Since the one in LA didn't have any. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Maple Bacon is a Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla cake with a cream cheese frosting and the Gluten Free Red Velvet cupcake with a cream cheese frosting two of the choices we made on this trip. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">The Maple Bacon….ok let's pause for a moment and reflect on bacon…the best bacon you ever had…the taste of maple, the crispiness of it, and the slow cooking that only a southern cook could achieve... do you have that memory…ok, let's continue. The bacon was ALL THAT! Not only on the frosting, but in the cupcake itself. Not only was there bacon (did I mean that there was bacon?), they put a cut out of a piggie right on top of the cupcake. Too cute (sorry vegan's). Now if you are thinking, bacon on a cupcake, rethink and only try this one from Sprinkles first before you try someone </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">else's. Our brother would be all over this and the rest of them on display.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I haven't had a gluten free Red Velvet before. I think. I could be wrong. Maybe because nothing ever tasted as good as this one and I forgot the others. When we wrote up our thought about the Red Velvet in LA this is what we said to recap: "</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">We always have to comment about the red velvet. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Tasting the cake part it has a </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">vinegar</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">/sweet taste to it. The cake itself is a true red velvet. The cake didn't fall apart or crumble, and was still moist and fluffy. I love it when you can push down on cake and it bounces back. It's a beautiful thing!" And I stand behind this still. It was so good. I get it now east coasters and your love for red velvet. It's a </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">beautiful</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> thing! What I really like about Sprinkles cream cheese frosting is its not over powering with the cream cheese sourness of taste. It's a good balance of sweet and cheesy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Oh, forgot to mention the little cup you see in the G.F. Red Velvet picture. Its a cup of their drinking hot chocolate. It's like a shot of it because it will give a buzz. Starbucks use to sell something like this and I loved it. So, when I saw Sprinkles had one I had to try it. It's melted bittersweet Belgian Chocolate topped with a fluffy all-natural vanilla bean marshmallow. Ya, it's that good. But be willing to pay almost $4 to drink this little beauty. Or be like me and when the words say "drinking chocolate" my wallets out before I could process it.</span></span></span></div>
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Gluten Free: Available<br />
Sugar Free: Available<br />
Vegan: Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 6<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (cute, clean, happy place to have a cupcake)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(a little for everyone, classic to beacon inspired)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 10<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (the ladies here were welcoming and friendly)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Overall Quality: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(just a great time. Keep it up!)</span><br />
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<i>Regular Flavors: $ 3.65 ($4.00 with tax)</i><br />
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Since posting this blog, we have received many request to visit Baked & Wired. This past weekend was a great time to walk around Georgetown. The weather was prefect after a long winter.<br />
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The setting is amazing and has a lot of character. The old charm of Georgetown and the riverfront; this is prime location. As much as the inside is hip and cool, sitting outside is as much of a treat as the one you are eating. The name of the shop comes from a husband and wife team. One is the baker (baked) and the other works the coffee (wired) shop. Makes sense to me.<br />
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As mentioned on their website, this place is whimsical, rustic, and delicious. I loved the look of the parchment paper hugging the cupcakes than seeing the normal cupcake wrappers. These cupcakes are big not "Crumbs" size big, but they are big.<br />
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I love the look of the place; as mentioned before. I loved the display just as much. The glass domes over each sample cupcake was beautiful and I LOVED the personally done art work of the name plates. So, clever and creative. I wanted to buy some of the name plates and collect them as cards. Just so cute!<br />
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The two cupcakes selected on this trip was the Elvis Impersonator "porked" and the Gluten Free Chocolate Strawberry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly greeter and server at Baked & Wired</td></tr>
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The Elvis Impersonator is normally unporked but for the weekend you have the optioned to have them cover the cupcake with candied bacon. The cupcake is a banana cake topped with peanut butter frosting and drizzled with chocolate. I think "the King" would be all shooked up about it. Even the bacon part. My friend picked out this one and she loves this one and the chocolate one called the Chocolate Cupcake of Doom. I would be all over that one if only it was Gluten Free : )<br />
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The one I picked out was the only Gluten Free one they had, the Chocolate Strawberry. It's a chocolate cake that was suppose to have fresh strawberries in it, but didn't, and was frosted with a buttercream. I didn't taste ANY strawberries in the whole cupcake and these cupcakes are large. All I could taste was chocolate. I even looked for them and no strawberries. I'm sure they are good with strawberries. The frosting in the picture looks a little neon green and it is. No camera tricks here. I kinda like that idea. It glowed but didn't glow. Know what I mean. LOL.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GF Chocolate Strawberry & Elvis Impersonator Porked </td></tr>
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The buttercream on both of the cupcakes taste like something your grandmother would whip up. Buttery and thicker than the lighter frosting some other shops have. I wouldn't mind at bowl of it.<br />
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The cake part on both is more bread like than cupcake like. What I mean is, their cupcake cake is heavier and not light and airy as cupcakes are normally. I like the airer and fluffy kind of cake myself. Also, I could taste that they were kinda dry and had been in a cold refrigerator. Not what we like to have when eating a cupcake. But, this is what makes trying out these cupcake shops so much fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to post this one. Loved the signage</td></tr>
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Please try out Baked &Wired and let us know what you think. That's why this blog is here. To get the word out on good cupcake places and have a little more time to sit back and enjoy ourselves with a cupcake in hand.<br />
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Gluten Free: Available<br />
Sugar Free: Not sure<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(modern with a community vibe)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you think it, by sure it will be there)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(friendly servers and I love seeing that it looks like a fun place to work at)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Overall Quality: 3 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(cupcakes a little dry)</span><br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-61475051239667245942013-11-21T15:26:00.002-05:002013-11-21T15:26:31.731-05:00Occasionally Cake: Alexandra, VAOccasionally Cake<br />
<i>Regular: $2.75</i><br />
<i>Speciality: $3.50</i><br />
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Tis the season for yummy sugary goodness! There are a lot of sweetness out there this time of year, but we here at Cupcake Correspondents are here to help you navigate through the sugary sweetness and find some really cheery treats that will help keep your energy up in order to take on the holiday's with all the merriness you can bring!<br />
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Nothing is more charming then old town Alexandria during the Holidays. There is something special about walking around the old brick front buildings all decorated with sparkling gold, silver, red, and green. We would suggest you take in the old town Holiday beauty from a window seat at one of Alexandria's many cupcakeries, and Occasionally Cakes is a great place to do just that. This charming shop has some unique and yummy cupcakes that will bring some merriness to your Holiday season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mkFVMzWdsbtF_tTVi-cWcALkaDKOqSyrHSi8y1ODkhcGJJ2JilhH2aKkqFmIBgc3SQwjOua4f_iAhGJrW4Ao-3C7nyGZGjxzxl9RP1V2XB9zt__N9KZ-JSDOBf5C_F4kJQkoqpeOeN6y/s1600/Image+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mkFVMzWdsbtF_tTVi-cWcALkaDKOqSyrHSi8y1ODkhcGJJ2JilhH2aKkqFmIBgc3SQwjOua4f_iAhGJrW4Ao-3C7nyGZGjxzxl9RP1V2XB9zt__N9KZ-JSDOBf5C_F4kJQkoqpeOeN6y/s320/Image+7.jpg" width="240" /></a>The lady behind the counter was very helpful in explaining the flavors, and even made some really good suggestions. For this trip to Occasionally Cakes we tried the Cinnamon Spice, Ginger Lemon, Red Velvet, and the Gluten Free Vanilla Strawberry cupcakes.<br />
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The Cinnamon Spice cupcake was a cinnamon cake with a cinnamon vanilla buttercream frosting. The <br />
cake was moist and had a good light texture, and the buttercream frosting was smooth and had a good cinnamon flavor. The frosting was just a little too sweet, and the flavor was a bit one dimensional. However, it was a festive cupcake and we enjoyed it.<br />
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The Ginger Lemon cupcake was a unique flavor combination, with a Ginger Vanilla buttercream frosting and a lemon flavored cake. This was a delicious pairing, and is definitely worth trying on every visit!<br />
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The Red Velvet cupcake was had a nice red color, but the cream cheese frosting was just a little too sweet.<br />
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The Gluten Free Vanilla Strawberry cupcake was a vanilla cupcake with a fresh tasting strawberry vanilla buttercream frosting. The fresh strawberry taste with a moist vanilla cake was yummy, and a good representation of what a gluten free cake can be.<br />
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Overall we enjoyed our visit to old town Alexandria, and also enjoyed our time at Occasionally Cakes!<br />
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Gluten Free: Available<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (</span>i<span style="font-size: x-small;">t was a charming cupcakery and was full of beautiful cupcake themed goodness)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the Ginger Lemon was a great combination)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (the lady was friendly and welcoming)</span><br />
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Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the frosting was a bit too sweet for our taste but we loved Occasionally Cakes)</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-81414642984352101812013-11-19T12:22:00.000-05:002013-11-19T12:22:46.652-05:00Lavender Moon Cupcakery: Old Town Alexandra, VALavender Moon Cupcaker<br />
Regular: $3.00 (full price that's including tax)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yo7ene6msA/UoqDhv7_7uI/AAAAAAAAAto/gbwTVUv7-CQ/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yo7ene6msA/UoqDhv7_7uI/AAAAAAAAAto/gbwTVUv7-CQ/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="240" /></a>The gloomy fall weather in Virginia this weekend didn't stop us from exploring two cupcakeries. On this trip we brought a friend along and both CarrotCake and I loved the company. Friends and cupcakes are the best combination.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rdhp3TRyYk/UoqDi2nYYYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/ozeUSc7T8Ts/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rdhp3TRyYk/UoqDi2nYYYI/AAAAAAAAAt4/ozeUSc7T8Ts/s320/Image+6.jpg" width="240" /></a>Our first stop, Lavender Moon who brightened our gloomy day with a flash of bright pink as we entered their cute shop in old town Alexandra. The cute cupcake art work and charm was all so cute. I fell in love with the little crochet cupcakes sitting on a shelf behind the "real" cupcakes. They were all too cute. We felt the space was charming and very lively. This one we thought the decorated cupcakes were by far the most beautifully done cupcakes we have seen. But, after writing about so many cupcakeries we expect a lot in the next ones. Even though the decorations of the cupcakes and the shop were beautiful; there wasn't that lighting that we expected to see as we made our way to the back to buy some cupcakes. We thought it was a little dark. Lighting would give these beauties all the more excitement as you entered. . Also, the cupcakes where on beautiful stands. We couldn't "see" the uniqueness of each one as they showcased the lovely cupcakes waiting to be tasted.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNRt7PEPGAw/UoqD6nmTj0I/AAAAAAAAAuM/-ZY1jauHDv0/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNRt7PEPGAw/UoqD6nmTj0I/AAAAAAAAAuM/-ZY1jauHDv0/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Now on to the cupcakes...we bought three beauties, Flour-less chocolate with almonds and sea salt, Devils food with peanut butter mousse, and Lemon Lavender Chiffon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kBNUJ426g0/UoqDhZprz0I/AAAAAAAAAts/ONpgI5MQk80/s1600/Image+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kBNUJ426g0/UoqDhZprz0I/AAAAAAAAAts/ONpgI5MQk80/s320/Image+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Lemon Lavender Chiffon, <br />Peanut Butter Mousse, and Flour-less Chocolate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The flour-less chocolate with almonds and sea salt frosting was so good. The taste of the cake felt like a regular cupcake and a little dry. It didn't have the fluffy bounce that we talk about at Cupcake Correspondents. I loved the sea salt and almonds on it. Just the right touch.<br />
<br />
<br />
Devils food with peanut butter mousse, this one's frosting was amazingly good. Our friend got this one and loved the frosting. She kept mentioning she wanted a bowl of it. If you don't like a lot of peanut butter taste this one is good. It still has that peanut butter taste but isn't over powering. Which I loved. You can still have this one on a date (wink!).<br />
<br />
Lemon Lavender Chiffon, we heard online that this one is there most popular one. The lemon taste was good, but we couldn't taste the lavender in it at all. This one could be better in a yellow or white cake with hints of lavender and lemon rind in the cake. You can take this idea, Lavender Moon, make it yours. It will be great! We all felt we needed a bowl of each of our frostings to go. They were all good!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GFzHueDWik/UoqDiXb9ooI/AAAAAAAAAtw/67aKr1NMaeU/s1600/Image+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GFzHueDWik/UoqDiXb9ooI/AAAAAAAAAtw/67aKr1NMaeU/s320/Image+5.jpg" width="320" /></a>Gluten Free : Available<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
<br />
Cupcake Atmosphere: 4.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the shop is clever and very fun. The bright colors were very cute, again the lighting around the selection of cupcakes was a little dark. We wanted to see sparkle.)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(best decorated cupcakes so far)</span><br />
Customer Service: 2 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(quiet, but nice. they knew their cupcakes)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(cute and fun)</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-90571305686703431562013-10-18T09:33:00.001-04:002013-10-18T09:33:49.479-04:00Crumbs Bake Shop: Tysons' Corner Mall, VACrumbs<br />
<i>Taste (1"): $24.95 12 cupcake pack</i><br />
<i>Classic (2.5"): </i><i>$4.50</i><br />
<i>Signature (4"): $5.50</i><br />
<i>Colossal (6.5"): $42 serves 6-8 people</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvjzxV5Pfg64AV_B2fVl3c2BuAbIovjMc5YZ7gwUFmNU93VRJsjY0f153WN3ClNGaxxZ9JbX7PCyts8x1OZZmaTIxLSyT8V1DumyaYub_e-xwwaa5Lq86e7uvHT48Gr6GRLQ9nq1B5ewr/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvjzxV5Pfg64AV_B2fVl3c2BuAbIovjMc5YZ7gwUFmNU93VRJsjY0f153WN3ClNGaxxZ9JbX7PCyts8x1OZZmaTIxLSyT8V1DumyaYub_e-xwwaa5Lq86e7uvHT48Gr6GRLQ9nq1B5ewr/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<br />
There are few things in life that can't be remedied with a little retail therapy, and Tysons' Corner Mall has many choices to satisfy any shopalcoholic's inner most desires. Yet now Tysons' offers us another indulgent pleasure in the form of its' very own Crumbs Bake Shop. Now it is possible to give yourself a break from trying to find the most flattering pair of skinny jeans, and just eat a cupcake! Crumbs is famous for being the largest cupcake chain store in the nation, as well as, serving up some an assortment of cupcake sizes (from the colossal to little taste cupcakes).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xrkbm9R5sWOOdxFryod_Lz_IxQFiyJqf13aqcFgWRVcIwVj89Q_zTjfsxHHGIYhNOt4z3aQfEhM0BMItemlulnCPDu2UkQ_CXs760GzfGKrBWyjtg1n3JBAu6_XRkYcHmrrWc_KYT7ot/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xrkbm9R5sWOOdxFryod_Lz_IxQFiyJqf13aqcFgWRVcIwVj89Q_zTjfsxHHGIYhNOt4z3aQfEhM0BMItemlulnCPDu2UkQ_CXs760GzfGKrBWyjtg1n3JBAu6_XRkYcHmrrWc_KYT7ot/s320/photo+copy.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkshake Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The store itself isn't the most appealing of cupcake shops. It is definitely designed for a mall where customers can easily walk up, see the cupcakes, pick one, and get on with shopping. Reminded us more of a Mrs Field's Cookie Vender than a cupcakery. However, we at Cupcake Correspondents were definitely impressed by the variety of cupcake flavors available, and they all looked absolutely yummy. So after a minute or two of deciding we settled on the classic sized Milkshake and Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Milkshake cupcake is a marble blend of chocolate and vanilla cake filled with a vanilla cream cheese frosting mixed with chocolate cookie crumbs, and finally topped with a swirl of chocolate and vanilla cream cheese frosting dusted with chocolate cookie crumbs. Wow! That is by far the longest description of a cupcake we have done so far! As good as it sounds it did not live up to our expectations. The cake was slightly dry and flavorless, and the cream cheese frosting was good but didn't save the cupcake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrPxJDGXsxr0aPz2VmjYkw_EOWesmGEA0LY1jN6dmzS1Tjt6MfNjXx8WrKNqIjXxVsMz1i3fj15KIs8kbn3JlDx69ixxJDRfpoJvuFGS7014fNbyvG8NNfo2pl8pbzxGmkIlYVHJ28mnc/s1600/photo+copy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrPxJDGXsxr0aPz2VmjYkw_EOWesmGEA0LY1jN6dmzS1Tjt6MfNjXx8WrKNqIjXxVsMz1i3fj15KIs8kbn3JlDx69ixxJDRfpoJvuFGS7014fNbyvG8NNfo2pl8pbzxGmkIlYVHJ28mnc/s320/photo+copy+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Peanut Butter Cup cupcake was better than the Milkshake, and was a chocolate cake filled and topped with peanut butter buttercream frosting and decorated with peanut butter cup wedges and crushed peanuts and chocolate pieces. The chocolate cake still lacked a rich chocolate flavor and was dry like the Milkshake cake, but the peanut butter buttercream was yummy with a good balance of "peanutty taste" without being overpowering.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
All in all we didn't much care of Crumbs, but we will give them a pass until we actually make it out to a shop were the baking is done in house. We figured that the cakes probably dried out during shipping to the shop location. Also this is probably the most expensive cupcakery we have been too.<br />
<br />
We are looking forward to Crumbs opening up an all gluten free bake shop! We will let you know when one is expected in our area.<br />
<br />
<br />
Gluten Free : Not Available at this location<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
<br />
Cupcake Atmosphere: 2 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the shop is definitely designed for a quick visit while shopping, but it was a bit impersonally and poorly designed)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(anything you can think of or crave they have on hand, and in any size)</span><br />
Customer Service: 2 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(we had very little interaction with the one person on staff, which is surprising since we were the only ones there)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Overall Quality: 2.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(we won't be going to this location again... there are other cupcakeries that will satisfy our craves better that are worth the drive)</span><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-83381807337401839852013-09-16T21:07:00.000-04:002013-09-16T21:07:07.994-04:00Cakes by Happy Eatery: Manassas, VA<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjjLljDC9So/UjYMmVH666I/AAAAAAAAAso/CFc1_h1Xf8U/s1600/image+copy+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m4t90LAVco/UjYMl5YkyqI/AAAAAAAAAsI/0Z6cuk9dSO0/s1600/image+copy+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIvpsK-AAx4/UjYMl7n3qAI/AAAAAAAAAsM/-vExeBE_U-I/s1600/image+copy+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Cakes by Happy Eatery<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Regular: $3.00<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjjLljDC9So/UjYMmVH666I/AAAAAAAAAso/CFc1_h1Xf8U/s1600/image+copy+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjjLljDC9So/UjYMmVH666I/AAAAAAAAAso/CFc1_h1Xf8U/s320/image+copy+6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>If you're happy and you
know it, eat some cupcakes (clap, clap). If you're happy and you know it eat
some cupcakes (clap, clap). If you're happy and you know it and your smile will
surely show it. If you're happy and you know it eat <b><u>more</u></b> cupcakes (clap,
clap).</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIvpsK-AAx4/UjYMl7n3qAI/AAAAAAAAAsM/-vExeBE_U-I/s1600/image+copy+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIvpsK-AAx4/UjYMl7n3qAI/AAAAAAAAAsM/-vExeBE_U-I/s320/image+copy+4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">German Chocolate, </span></span>Eclair,<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Chocolate Chantilly, Cookies and Cream</span></span></td></tr>
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First, it's a good thing
you can't hear us singing along or trying to find out how to change the words
so they mention drinking milk or eating cupcakes with your friends. Both
of us seem to be in a singing mood this whole summer and we had to write one
more tune, until we get that singing buzz again (future sighting <i>or
singing</i>...maybe the Christmas season. Just warning you). </div>
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This song
fits our visit to Cakes by Happy Eatery. This bakery has been around for
sometime in the Centreville and Manassas area. It has been known by the locals for
many years and has a great standing with them. When you start your sentence
with "Cakes by..." it is finished by the person you are talking with
followed by some story they have about them. So, naturally we
ventured over to Libra Street in Manassas to have a visit and partake of this
story in Northern Virginia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTOpHmDBe_k/UjYMmv6Sb0I/AAAAAAAAAsw/0rMY9fq6oA4/s1600/image+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTOpHmDBe_k/UjYMmv6Sb0I/AAAAAAAAAsw/0rMY9fq6oA4/s320/image+copy.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">German Chocolat</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">e</span></span></td></tr>
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They have a good variety of
cupcakes to pick from. But, this time CarrotCake and I decided to go with our
eyes than with a list of things we had to try. We picked four this time: German
Chocolate, Chocolate Chantilly, Cookies and Cream, and a Eclair cupcake. The
first three are from their Chocolate Series line (I like the sound of
that). These cupcakes all begin with a rich chocolate Devil’s food cake
batter and are taken to the next happiness level of yumminess. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The German Chocolate
Cupcake topping is a coconut pecan praline topping. The cake was divine
but we felt the frosting needed to be smaller and more coconut pecan
praline added. The latter seems to be the best part of any german chocolate
cake. But, the chocolate frosting was smooth and buttery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Chocolate Chantilly
has a creamy center of white filling; like the small cakes from the store with
the same topping as this cupcake. We like the topping of this one more than
those cakes from the store, because this one is dipped in ganache.
This was a wonderful ganache! I think I should have asked for a bowl of it ; )</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCbr2_inpG0/UjYMnLgP9RI/AAAAAAAAAss/ZxJo3yrzlhY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCbr2_inpG0/UjYMnLgP9RI/AAAAAAAAAss/ZxJo3yrzlhY/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate Chantilly</span></span></td></tr>
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Cookies and Cream....this
has to be the one to get everytime, if not, just for the topping. Have you
ever had a cookies and cream cupcake and thought "yea, that kinda taste
like an oreo in there." Well, the verdict is out now, you were eating the
store brand oreo. Sorry, but it's the truth. You were fooled. It wasn't
until we tasted this cupcake that the realization hit us. We were relieved to
know real oreo frosting for the first time. All silliness aside...or
is it? LOL. This frosting really taste like eating oreos. Just with a creamy
frosting mixed into it. You can taste and see the white inside, that we all love, in their frosting along with that chocolate cookie. Now, back to the cake part. We
felt it needed to be a lighter cake. The frosting is heavy and also having a
heavier cake just was a lot to get through.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies & Cream</td></tr>
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The only cupcake we tried that
wasn't chocolate was the Eclair cupcake. It was a vanilla cake with a buttercream
frosting topped with dusting of mini chocolate chips. The cake was a
little dry but we could taste the good flavor it had and the frosting was very
smooth and dreamy. We would just add a little more mini chocolate chips to the
top.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over all the experience
was delicious. It left a tune in our heads, our taste buds singing and tummies
full. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gluten Free</b>:
Available (limited flavors daily)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sugar Free</b>: Available
(Vanilla or chocolate sponge cake with vanilla, chocolate or strawberry cream)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Vegan</b>: Available (Egg and
diary-free chocolate cake topped with non-dairy vanilla or chocolate cream)<o:p></o:p></div>
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*They advertise on their
business cards and website that they do cater to customers with special diet
limitations. That was nice to see :)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cupcake Atmosphere</b>: 4 out
of 5 (feels like you are walking into someone's large kitchen)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Flavor Selection</b>: 4 out of
5 (great basic section, just bigger sizes and more toppings)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Customer Service</b>: 3 out of
5 (the staff were friendly, but we felt rushed. It was our first time and
they didn't ask if it was or if we had any questions about the cupcakes. Like
other cupcakery's have done.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Overall Quality</b>: 4.5 out of 5 (the cupcakes were
good, but customer service is a little lacking)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-73697326528475475082013-09-13T16:40:00.003-04:002013-09-13T16:40:43.488-04:00Cupcaked Bakery: Clifton, VACupcaked Bakery<br />
<i>Regular: $3.50</i><br />
<i>Mini: $1.50</i><br />
<i>Gluten Free: $4.50</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSSRbLcvId_tXY4XBj7oXLwAiXOhPy6sSe9flyyji5y7l00PQ_e-XY-zidiu6Hc62OOZ0O7NI45c_YSpNWx5VlaVKfCDz6Kfxb0cnNrGh8x_3spgXaLerIThH5BELup-VVYHoj7Gr54-d/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSSRbLcvId_tXY4XBj7oXLwAiXOhPy6sSe9flyyji5y7l00PQ_e-XY-zidiu6Hc62OOZ0O7NI45c_YSpNWx5VlaVKfCDz6Kfxb0cnNrGh8x_3spgXaLerIThH5BELup-VVYHoj7Gr54-d/s320/IMG_0747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the newest cupcakeries in Northern Virginia is seeking to make a splash much like the upcoming Autumn colors! Cupcaked Bakery is located in the charming old town of Clifton, VA, but did the cupcakes live up to the old town charm? Well, we will say that Cupcaked is an adorable little shop with a beautiful decor of bright purple and a tasteful cupcake themed decor. The staff was friendly and welcomed us to their new establishment with eager enthusiasm and warm hospitality. But the BIG question of the day... were the cupcakes any good?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-MEkpzSPFYdKlbWrS9fIyBELEJiijiCb2NNnQQMcMatgeHWLR1qwgRyh0m9G4ITTGGykkxDUtH3-ogJvr0Ugpdtza5v4YnAiMBMrYGf20cRat3WB3l6nL8igzkbsHZdpnmyOyMt5phpr/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-MEkpzSPFYdKlbWrS9fIyBELEJiijiCb2NNnQQMcMatgeHWLR1qwgRyh0m9G4ITTGGykkxDUtH3-ogJvr0Ugpdtza5v4YnAiMBMrYGf20cRat3WB3l6nL8igzkbsHZdpnmyOyMt5phpr/s320/IMG_0743.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Mocha Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Red Velvet cupcake is a staple of any good cupcakery, and this Cupcaked version was a simple representation of the classic. Although, the cream cheese frosting was smooth and creamy, the red velvet cake itself was... dare we say it... too chocolatey. Now before you hard core chocolate lovers out there start leaving us comments about how nothing is "too chocolatey", and reminding us that we have established many times before that red velvet must have coco as a staple ingredient... well, we (and especially ChocolateGauche) agree with you, BUT we have to be honest and say that red velvet is not a chocolate cake... it is a complex and beautiful balance of coco and brown sugary tastes that can be a magical flavor balance... it is not a vanilla cake dyed red and it is not a chocolate cake... it is a red velvet... a catagory all its own ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhd1yMhsSDfeU7tH5REW8l7ybseJ-oqj3e0ssJ65WiBdJ6aKwFSAhPCCOnKgM6IdgZ1tC7eCUnKMVgkhiDE8cStnHoXtsBT6J90K5M-yTcWtHBrn8HNHZIJ57lWyr9FGGq72dKTuQ5Gk4/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhd1yMhsSDfeU7tH5REW8l7ybseJ-oqj3e0ssJ65WiBdJ6aKwFSAhPCCOnKgM6IdgZ1tC7eCUnKMVgkhiDE8cStnHoXtsBT6J90K5M-yTcWtHBrn8HNHZIJ57lWyr9FGGq72dKTuQ5Gk4/s320/IMG_0740.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pear & Brie Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of chocolate cakes, the Chocolate Mocha was a good chocolatey and moist cake that was topped with a creamed coffee buttercream, drizzled with caramel, and topped with a chocolate covered coffee bean. The buttercream was a bit too sweet, so with the edition of the caramel drizzle it was a too much... but the cake was good.<br />
<br />
Cupcaked had a lot of interesting fruit inspired cupcake flavors that definitely stood apart from other cupcakeries. The Pear & Brie is a great example of a classic fruit and cheese pairing turned cupcake. The vanilla cake was filled with caramelized pears, which really drove the theme home and helped add texture and flavor to the cake. However, the brie buttercream didn't have enough brie flavor tones, and again the buttercream was too sweet. Although, the addition of brown sugar pecans on top was charming and continued to play with the old town homestyle theme.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbBomS5WKYyLx4byCcZ2wtkt6XHraH3AW7cV3CZjo7-zL829C6E_na3A4CNLToxym3V4V3BajC74IkgmcyV_RMFu0EA4hVf3FF4a4L9TBqLB8siNwez-yDpfqKDsY-8AjpgvaHDgYVc_C/s1600/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbBomS5WKYyLx4byCcZ2wtkt6XHraH3AW7cV3CZjo7-zL829C6E_na3A4CNLToxym3V4V3BajC74IkgmcyV_RMFu0EA4hVf3FF4a4L9TBqLB8siNwez-yDpfqKDsY-8AjpgvaHDgYVc_C/s320/IMG_0742.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Coconut Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best cupcake we had during this visit was the Lemon Coconut cupcake. Once again Cupcaked is showing off its unique fruit inspired pairings, and it definitely worked well here with a different take on the old classic coconut cupcake. The addition of lemon really contrasted well with the nutty coconut in the cake, and the marshmallow icing topped with toasted coconut was once again unique and delicious. Great cupcake!<br />
<br />
Gluten Free: Available <span style="font-size: x-small;">(limited flavors daily)</span><br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
<br />
Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(this was a charming space that had a welcoming atmosphere, and there was plenty of indoor seating too)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(there were definitely some unique fruit inspired cupcakes, but the other non-fruity flavors were not as interesting)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the staff were really friendly and inviting... they even served us complimentary water )</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Overall Quality: 3.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the cupcakes have potential BUT some of the frostings were too sweet)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-27735432245179812542013-09-04T19:06:00.000-04:002013-09-12T08:59:31.104-04:00UPDATE Cake Love: Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pF6r8s1-2I/Uie5k_5jLQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/doX6oG-Dim8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pF6r8s1-2I/Uie5k_5jLQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/doX6oG-Dim8/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a>Our tummies and taste buds are in shock, still, when we came across a boarded up Cake Love at the Fair Oaks Mall a few weeks ago. We hope that they will reopen back to the Fairfax area soon. As we are in need of a cupcake while shopping. We will miss you Cake Love at the Fair Oaks Mall. Cake Love still has their DC store open. Here is an address for you Cake Love fans: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">1506 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 </span>Chocolate Ganache and CarrotCake send our condolences. </div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-46730782302087147152013-08-21T10:38:00.000-04:002013-08-21T10:38:20.157-04:00Sweetz Bakery: Dulles Town Center Mall, VASweetz Bakery<br />
<i>Regular: $3.25</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw7RokAGr4BeNFhJTvEV0TaxVRih9bHN241sAIfy1yMSUPpaWp8q_llaocG4x9ymZbECyUOoCFsfzEzVqdwrZ1_iiNM9MVAqh0TJBCvRfL5SDnkMyC0X1ZwUwI8TpNTYDVeU3SowpCVMH/s1600/StoreFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw7RokAGr4BeNFhJTvEV0TaxVRih9bHN241sAIfy1yMSUPpaWp8q_llaocG4x9ymZbECyUOoCFsfzEzVqdwrZ1_iiNM9MVAqh0TJBCvRfL5SDnkMyC0X1ZwUwI8TpNTYDVeU3SowpCVMH/s320/StoreFront.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
Here at Cupcake Correspondence we eat, drink, and sleep
cupcakes! Well, that may be an overstatement, but we do spend time thinking
about cupcakes and where we will go next. Lucky for us sometimes cupcakes just
appear before our eyes, as if our Cupcake Fairy Godmother sprinkled <s>fairy
dust </s>more sprinkles, and a cupcake kiosk materialized in the food court of
the Dulles Town Center Mall… Sweetz Bakery.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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This nondescript cupcake stand was almost to good to be
true, and left Chocolate Gauche and I wondering if these beautifully simple
cupcakes where actually real. The available flavors all sounded and looked
delectable. Plus they had gluten free, dairy free, and vegan cupcakes all
displayed and ready to buy in multiple flavors. So we selected a GF Double
Chocolate cupcake, Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcake, and Red Velvet cupcake. We
soon discovered that our Cupcake Fairy Godmother had a few treats up her
shelves, because these cupcakes were anything but nondescript…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCrT5JD9qm7ypvOYGSnx1du8ZKzBMW4jgHN3xkvHKmbOS-w2UNDhGtK76ameKueFJ3nToRQFUIj6fKjlD56kqcxyYsPz7xDAdmEiGtGCbsgoawCFExpJ6Ya_NVO2d6twrPKsUYRoEm4B/s1600/image+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCrT5JD9qm7ypvOYGSnx1du8ZKzBMW4jgHN3xkvHKmbOS-w2UNDhGtK76ameKueFJ3nToRQFUIj6fKjlD56kqcxyYsPz7xDAdmEiGtGCbsgoawCFExpJ6Ya_NVO2d6twrPKsUYRoEm4B/s320/image+copy.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GF Double Chocolate Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The GF Double Chocolate cupcake had a moist and fluffy dark
chocolate cake, with a smooth chocolate buttercream filling and topping. The
chocolate buttercream was one of the best we ever had, with a perfect balance
of a sweet and chocolate. With most GF cupcakes it is easy to distinguish them
from their gluten counterparts, but Sweetz Bakery gets a gold star for creating
a moist GF cupcake that could fool anyone into believing it’s not gluten free…
must be that Cupcake Fairy Godmother at work again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When thinking of Mexican Hot Chocolate two things come to
mind chocolate and spice. Well, this cupcake had both, with a perfect blend of
the chocolate and spice flavors working together in harmony. The dark chocolate
cake was just that… chocolate! This chocolaty cake was topped with a chocolate
buttercream that had just a hint of spice. This combination of flavors could
have been overpowering, but Sweetz Bakery has clearly spent some time balancing
the flavors and it paid off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwgC3mzzVXJOLocJvZ8ELaux12BMbZAY8MqLCTLJnAcRuEYDanvyliWkPUF-deem8YtepbRZs_eRNo2QwQzznxiGhjcJvbTbFSHX05jRA12tnw5IBkhSRC0W5Mo9L_RHMALSD202hkVa/s1600/image+copy+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwgC3mzzVXJOLocJvZ8ELaux12BMbZAY8MqLCTLJnAcRuEYDanvyliWkPUF-deem8YtepbRZs_eRNo2QwQzznxiGhjcJvbTbFSHX05jRA12tnw5IBkhSRC0W5Mo9L_RHMALSD202hkVa/s320/image+copy+3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Red Velvet had the best cream cheese frosting we have
ever tasted. It was smooth and perfectly sweet, and tasted like an actual
cheesecake with just a lighter texture. The cake had a beautiful burgundy
color, which let us know that Sweetz Bakery knew what they were doing with
their red velvet recipe (no neon red coloring here). The cake had a nice rich
coco and brown sugar taste to it that is reminiscent of any good red velvet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all, the Cupcake Fairy Godmother granted us a magical
wish when we found Sweetz Bakery. These are definitely gourmet cupcakes, and
you can taste the quality of ingredients in every bite. So head down to the
Dulles Town Center Mall’s food court and visit our friends at Sweetz Bakery.
According to their website they are opening a retail store in Leesberg soon,
and we can’t wait to visit them there too!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlw8V4aOOtZlZPQgm2ebO-VYS4rQsNVhj9wtR1bHqYUzie9GfCv3075ZjG9ul4jEYBwdZ8irBhFHZ5QchYQ4te29y0fPDVQ-1MG-wQvgJ_H5Nkk7rFubpdDyzAVQcTM99uxFpFvtagpiP/s1600/Redvelvet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlw8V4aOOtZlZPQgm2ebO-VYS4rQsNVhj9wtR1bHqYUzie9GfCv3075ZjG9ul4jEYBwdZ8irBhFHZ5QchYQ4te29y0fPDVQ-1MG-wQvgJ_H5Nkk7rFubpdDyzAVQcTM99uxFpFvtagpiP/s320/Redvelvet.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Velvet Cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Gluten Free: Yes <span style="font-size: x-small;">(multiple assorted flavors offered daily)</span><br />
Dairy Free: Yes<br />
Vegan: Yes<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
<br />
Cupcake Atmosphere: 3 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The kiosk was clean but not eye catching, but the cupcakes are all displayed. We are looking forward to seeing the new retail store in Leesberg when it opens!)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(many yummy flavors available that where both on trend and innovative)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the two cupcake representatives greeted us with a smile and seemed to be working hard)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Overall Quality: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(This place was a great surprise! Thank you Cupcake Fairy Godmother :) )</span><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-26523940029792536182013-07-21T18:04:00.001-04:002013-08-21T10:38:47.437-04:00Buzz Bakery: Arlington, VA<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Buzz Bakery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Regular $3.25</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Gluten-Free $2.75</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYRBQw7_Rh8/UexZdN72wII/AAAAAAAAAqA/ZnyyvayCrz0/s1600/Buzz_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYRBQw7_Rh8/UexZdN72wII/AAAAAAAAAqA/ZnyyvayCrz0/s320/Buzz_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you ever been to a place were your sweetest dreams comes true? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You wake up and "hold your breath...Make a wish...Count to three..." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Next you find yourself standing in a bakery and the words straight from Willy Wonka enter your mind..."Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination. Take a look and you'll see into your imagination. We'll begin with a spoon, tasting the buttercream of their creation. What we'll see will defy temptations." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc-XuzooRU8/UexZc6YrLTI/AAAAAAAAAp8/YlWNIgc7ZAo/s1600/Buzz_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc-XuzooRU8/UexZc6YrLTI/AAAAAAAAAp8/YlWNIgc7ZAo/s320/Buzz_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, we changed the words a little, but who can blame us. This is our childhood dream treats on steroids. How can we not walk into this bakery and not get "buzzy" thinking about cupcakes filled with cookie dough and grown-up pop tarts and such. It's bliss (now thats a nice name for a cupcake shop. It's now copyrighted, lol).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Picking which cupcake to try was "the" hardest selection we had . So we picked the following for this tasty stop: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f28ns5PrKxo/UexZfqXmZjI/AAAAAAAAAqM/TxyJK7g0VOY/s1600/Buzz_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f28ns5PrKxo/UexZfqXmZjI/AAAAAAAAAqM/TxyJK7g0VOY/s320/Buzz_4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten-free Chocolate on Chocolate Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Gluten free chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. The cake itself was very moist and had a great chocolate taste. A better grade of chocolate than we have tasted in the past. Very impressed to see gluten free getting better and better out there. The frosting was just as divine as the cake. It was frothy and very smooth. Having three more of these would have been bliss. The colorful sprinkles on top is the prefect touch. I love sprinkles!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATaaBY0_Ms8/UexZf4WsBSI/AAAAAAAAAqU/bg1bWbiFEZM/s1600/Buzz_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATaaBY0_Ms8/UexZf4WsBSI/AAAAAAAAAqU/bg1bWbiFEZM/s320/Buzz_5.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The COOKIE MONSTER, has a chocolate chip cookie cake with raw (yes, you heard me-yummy moment) cookie dough core covered with an Oreo italian buttercream topped perfectly with a oatmeal cream pie. This speaks for itself. This is the one both of us were dying to try after seeing this Bakery on TV and they talked and showed this dream of a cupcake. If only TV's were are scratch and taste. Life would be more complete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQGcS_Wb6ec/UexZgjDu1jI/AAAAAAAAAqc/zd4OKcUzt1Y/s1600/Buzz_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQGcS_Wb6ec/UexZgjDu1jI/AAAAAAAAAqc/zd4OKcUzt1Y/s320/Buzz_6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside Cookie Monster cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have never heard of Italian buttercream before, so we looked up the recipe and thought you would enjoy making this too: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup of cold water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 1/4 cups of caster sugar 1 cup of egg whites (about 6 egg whites) 1 1/2 pound of soft unsalted butter 1 tsp of vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as2nJDMICf8/UexZh1-X7GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/W3KUZuIu6sc/s1600/Buzz_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-as2nJDMICf8/UexZh1-X7GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/W3KUZuIu6sc/s320/Buzz_7.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9:30 Club Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 9:30 CLUB, which is devil's food cake with vanilla buttercream filling and dipped with delicious chocolate glaze. This design looks a lot like another cake we are all so familiar with. This is by far the replacement of that other cake. This is a must try. It is moist and smooth. I personally could eat a bowl of the glaze. It's my favorite kind of glaze. But good thing we brought Mom along on this trip. This was her pick and it was gone in seconds.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__sPve6N-Oo/UexZiaDEq4I/AAAAAAAAAqo/AtQBBs8K3Vg/s1600/Buzz_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__sPve6N-Oo/UexZiaDEq4I/AAAAAAAAAqo/AtQBBs8K3Vg/s320/Buzz_8.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Rabbit Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The WHITE RABBIT, is a parsnip cake with a yummy cream cheese buttercream topped with toasted coconut and a carrot (how cute is that? A wink to the people who know us). Another "must try" on our list for this Bakery. The design is cute, and the taste wasn't too strong, but still carried the favor throughout. The cream cheese buttercream was a little to tart, but CarrotCake enjoyed every moment of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Over all, this was a dream to visit and we hope that Buzz Bakery continues to amaze it's tasters with the most imaginative cupcakes. Until our next visit we dream with sweets and cupcakes dancing in our heads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLNX26ADJss/UexZcZm41pI/AAAAAAAAAp0/EAtMI83Zogo/s1600/Buzz_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLNX26ADJss/UexZcZm41pI/AAAAAAAAAp0/EAtMI83Zogo/s320/Buzz_3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
Gluten Free: Yes ( Chocolate and Vanilla offered daily)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sugar Free: Not Available<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vegan: Not Available<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cupcake Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 (Classic and cute)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 (Must imaginative cupcakes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Customer Service: 4 out of 5 (Happy staff and willing to help. Loved that they asked if the gluten free need to be in a separate box)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall Quality: 4 out of 5</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-43855647049029068872013-07-06T16:26:00.003-04:002013-07-07T18:00:49.919-04:00Second Bite - Cake Love: Tysons Corner Mall, VACake Love: Tysons Corner Mall<br />
<i>Regular: $3.35 each</i><br />
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Like any guilty pleasure (or bad boyfriend), it is hard to just give it up, because there was something that drew you in the first time and just keeps drawing you in again and again... For us at Cupcake Correspondents it is Cake Love, and our undying hope that one day it'll return to that guilty pleasure we once knew and loved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRACEMXeoC0OdMDX2Nt6RGAyKgI_kp1pwjwy_dTBzQySjh05_AXh6_myLEYpdXby87EvputSIDqc2B4WF_Xx5_CKgkrM_dVN0Lywn1dMUd1iuOrpmM673KR0QieZNeZyGHTAPi9NOoWz8/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRACEMXeoC0OdMDX2Nt6RGAyKgI_kp1pwjwy_dTBzQySjh05_AXh6_myLEYpdXby87EvputSIDqc2B4WF_Xx5_CKgkrM_dVN0Lywn1dMUd1iuOrpmM673KR0QieZNeZyGHTAPi9NOoWz8/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toffee Crunch Cupcake</td></tr>
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In this Second Bite Edition of Cupcake Correspondents we rediscovered Cake Love, but we forsook our old flame at the Fair Oaks Mall and ran off with its' cousin at the Tysons Corner Mall. All part of the same Cake Love family of confections, yet the Tysons Corner Mall Cake Love restored our faith in cupcake redemption. Alas! The Toffee Crunch Cupcake and Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Buttercream were a step in the right yummy direction!<br />
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We haven't been shy in our disappointment in the dry and flavorless cakes that have been coming out of the Fair Oaks Mall location, but the two cupcakes we had at Tysons were moist and flavorful. We will say that the Cake Love bakers should pay closer attention when filling the cupcake molds so as not to splash the cake batter over the sides of the cupcake pan, because it makes for an irregularly shaped cupcake top... but enough about that...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJlO8ee_jG4FcAFTzxGdOV0fZLlOBFYTF7NYMSfBB_ndTXT68XPCyNdLaP57tCJElTzeKs5IR3gCFaXFyZ54hyphenhyphenOA-Y0v8hNZ_9Iwkspxi_G_izGnLK3M065gsbDtcfQAvmfHuikUJ2eqL/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJlO8ee_jG4FcAFTzxGdOV0fZLlOBFYTF7NYMSfBB_ndTXT68XPCyNdLaP57tCJElTzeKs5IR3gCFaXFyZ54hyphenhyphenOA-Y0v8hNZ_9Iwkspxi_G_izGnLK3M065gsbDtcfQAvmfHuikUJ2eqL/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Buttercream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Toffee Crunch Cupcake was a moist yet dense chocolate cake topped with vanilla buttercream frosting, caramel drizzle, and sprinkled with toffee chunks. The vanilla buttercream was on point with a light and smooth texture, and a perfectly sweet vanilla taste. The toffee chunks gave it a pleasant crunchy texture on top too.<br />
<br />
The Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Buttercream frosting was a perfect summertime treat! They worked fresh strawberries into the vanilla buttercream, which reminded us of a classic summertime pairing of strawberries and cream... YUM! The vanilla cake was good and moist, but like the chocolate cake it was denser than other cupcakeries' cupcakes... all about what you prefer.<br />
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Way to go Cake Love! We look forward to seeing more improvement, and will be willing to volunteer our tastebuds for many more Second Bites!<br />
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Overall Quality (updated): <strike>2.5</strike> 3.5 out of 5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-26819969005544259552013-06-13T14:39:00.000-04:002013-06-13T21:46:33.043-04:00Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe: Charlottesville, VA<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cute Mini's $1.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regular $2.50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gluten-Free $2.75</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzuVVIn9szo/UboZlZ2F4BI/AAAAAAAAAnY/1w7FoeRZARc/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzuVVIn9szo/UboZlZ2F4BI/AAAAAAAAAnY/1w7FoeRZARc/s320/IMG_1782.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First things first. Their logo is the cutest thing ever and there website; so check it out!!! The cafe is adorable!!! The theme throughout...lets just say I'm redesigning my place (this is ChocolateGanache speaking. CarrotCake might have to take away the pink). It is so adorable and perfect. CarrotCake found this gem and we were in the area after our Ashlawn 5k Run, so a refill we needed and what better than cupcakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We found the building to be under construction, however it had a retro vibe. We were not sure to say the least, but the closer we got we saw the vision these owners have and what a fantastic find. You are greeted by a poster, 50's style, of a little girl holding a cupcake. This one picture reminded us of childhood days that focused around laugher and cupcakes. It was a step back in time for us. Thank you Sweet Haus!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLXJVSDYL54/UboZmvmZk8I/AAAAAAAAAng/BwL4ovaxHsk/s1600/IMG_1783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLXJVSDYL54/UboZmvmZk8I/AAAAAAAAAng/BwL4ovaxHsk/s320/IMG_1783.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we stepped in we could smell the sweetness. Now, don't let the remodeling stop you from going. The cupcake chefs were so nice and we felt welcomed by them. It has that small town happy feeling and we love that around cupcakes. There are so many fantastic things as you look around. But one design really caught our eye. It was the gum drop chandelier. Yes... I know. How cool is that? You can also sit and watch them make frosting and the cupcakes. I can go on and on. But, now to the yummy part: </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiMTtxEiZB4/UboZkOci9oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ZChfmFsKnxU/s1600/IMG_1785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiMTtxEiZB4/UboZkOci9oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ZChfmFsKnxU/s320/IMG_1785.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is fantastic about this one is the cute mini cupcakes. ChocolateGanache loves mini size things. Not this time around, CarrotCake took the cake on this one (get it...ok I'll stop). It's a good idea for a party or if, like us cupcake tasters, you want a variety of yumminess. There where so many choices that the lovely chefs picked out their top favors for us. The selections devoured were: marble cake and chocolate cake, pistachio cake, strawberry cake, lemon cake, red velvet, and chocolate coconut cake. AND one regular size gluten-free chocolate walnut chocolate frosting cupcake. Yumm! Here is a quick take on what we thought on the mini's:</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vE_Of0papLk/UboZnnO2LPI/AAAAAAAAAnw/c40EIEQaH-w/s1600/IMG_1789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vE_Of0papLk/UboZnnO2LPI/AAAAAAAAAnw/c40EIEQaH-w/s320/IMG_1789.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marble cake and chocolate cake - really good balance of flavor (not too sweet good chocolate and vanilla taste); moist and tender texture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Pistachio cake - good pistachio flavor with smooth lightly sweet frosting with pistachios mixed in for crunch; cake texture was moist but a bit chewy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strawberry cake - fresh strawberry flavor frosting that was slightly sweet; vanilla cake had a good moist and tender texture and vanilla taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lemon cake - same as strawberry just lemon flavor. This was like good-old lemonade, tart and sweet. Love it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2P64IKWf3M/UboZnMJtN_I/AAAAAAAAAnk/ldVR2eWM7dQ/s1600/IMG_1786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2P64IKWf3M/UboZnMJtN_I/AAAAAAAAAnk/ldVR2eWM7dQ/s320/IMG_1786.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red velvet - good cream cheese frosting; good cake flavor but the cake texture was moist but an odd crumbly texture… the crumbs weren't fine enough for a velvet cake also.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Chocolate coconut cake - beautiful with the coconut flakes on the deep chocolate frosting and cake; frosting and cake as good as the chocolate cake mentioned above.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1REBehk0Ew/UboZoVMTC2I/AAAAAAAAAn4/-3zZ2gZDCVM/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1REBehk0Ew/UboZoVMTC2I/AAAAAAAAAn4/-3zZ2gZDCVM/s320/IMG_1791.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The gluten-free was so good, I'm having day-dreams about it. So fluffy, chocolaty (which is a must for happy people), and the frosting was soft and buttery....sorry I forgot I was writing, thought I was going to have a bite : ) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The walnuts had a toasted taste to it, which really brought out the flavor. That was my favorite part. Sadly CarrotCake only had crumb of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WOW we had a lot of cakes at this one…I hear a round two, three... ok we might be coming monthly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Gluten Free: Yes (</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">they told us that they have a separate cooking and prep area for them. These cupcakes also have there own chef who is a </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">celiac <span style="line-height: 18px;">herself</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">Sugar Free: Not Available</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">Vegan: Not Available</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">This one wins the award for "Best Atmosphere for a Cupcakery," congrats</span>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">We thought they covered a good amount of flavors</span>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Customer Service: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Happiest </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">cupcake </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">chefs yet. They just looked so happy working around cupcakes</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;">Overall Quality: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Can't wait to see the cafe finished</span>)</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-84209630864173472812013-06-05T17:21:00.000-04:002013-06-05T17:22:57.163-04:00Fluffy Thoughts Cakes: Washington Nationals Park, Washington, DC<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: MS ゴシック;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Fluffy Thoughts Cakes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS ゴシック;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Stadium: $6.00</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MS ゴシック;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>McLean Shop: $3.00</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_T5Glyx_E2bZ-pojfQCb_I_5PJ9aAUHUigBhGvg7l81anoQTI2IlTHoLwamgco1m7g2tqFLE2Uvy96fjsqXcN7qSUiAxDF2Q6FdpkwuaHU65m05NtVSd53j3HJOgcDeD4ij2703HYuup/s1600/IMG_0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_T5Glyx_E2bZ-pojfQCb_I_5PJ9aAUHUigBhGvg7l81anoQTI2IlTHoLwamgco1m7g2tqFLE2Uvy96fjsqXcN7qSUiAxDF2Q6FdpkwuaHU65m05NtVSd53j3HJOgcDeD4ij2703HYuup/s320/IMG_0696.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluffy Thoughts Cakes<br />
Washington Nationals Park Section #135<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<b style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">♬</span></span></b><i style="line-height: 115%;">Take me out to the <strike>ball game</strike> cupcakery. Take me out with the crowds. Buy me some peanuts and <strike>cracker jacks</strike> <u>cupcakes</u>! I don't care if I never get back. Let me <strike>root, root, root for the home team </strike><u>eat, eat, eat all the cupcakes</u>, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three <strike>strikes</strike> cakes your out, At the old <strike>ball game</strike> cupcakery!</i><b style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'MS ゴシック';"><span style="font-size: x-small;">♬ </span></span></b><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Okay... So we changed the wording a little bit and our lyrical rhyming is not great, but seriously who needs cracker jacks when cupcakes are available? </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;">At the Washington Nationals Park in Washington, DC, we at Cupcake Correspondents were thrown a bit of a curve ball when we found Fluffy Thoughts Cakes! Yes, it appears cupcakes are now available at a ballpark! Move aside regular old hot dogs...</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;">We just couldn't resist the need to find out if Fluffy Thoughts' cupcakes could play for a major league or an </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">amateur</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> bush-league...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRr6CgcVJtHeUy0AvmePZIsKJC7Jpp2kpUYVQ1g4zfgRe4hPMREVqwO5PrvVQzA0fl48PEX5ml4Jmm67LY6VQ3JyW_fCtV2-rft1UO431LYDxZ5HGklQALHt0xUo4qZoB2oGrmO883WoJ/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRr6CgcVJtHeUy0AvmePZIsKJC7Jpp2kpUYVQ1g4zfgRe4hPMREVqwO5PrvVQzA0fl48PEX5ml4Jmm67LY6VQ3JyW_fCtV2-rft1UO431LYDxZ5HGklQALHt0xUo4qZoB2oGrmO883WoJ/s320/IMG_0702.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie n' Cream Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;">First up to the batting fork is the Cookies n' Cream cupcake. This cupcake had a moist chocolate cake that was very flavorful and fresh tasting, which is impressive coming from a stand in a baseball park. The vanilla buttercream with a cookie infusion had a light and creamy texture, but was just way too sweet. It wasn't a very </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">original flavor,</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and the sweetness was to much to make me want to order it again. Sadly this Cookies n' Cream cupcake striked out of this cupcake ending... much like the Nationals did from the top of the 4th to the bottom of the 8th endings...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy Bar Crunch Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Alas, this cupcake team would not be beat, and with their bases loaded they made a home run with the Candy Bar Crunch cupcake! This moist and fluffy marble vanilla and chocolate cake was filled with a creamy caramel center that truly </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">complimented</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> the vanilla buttercream frosting with chocolate </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">crunchies on top. This particular cupcake was recommended to us by the cupcake staff at the Fluffy Thoughts stand, and we are glad they took the time to recommend it. It was Yummy! And a Grand Slam!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Also, according to the cupcake staff, they are doing so well at the Nationals Park selling cupcakes that the Phillies have asked them to open a cupcake stand at their stadium! So we look forward to a future where cupcakes become a part of an all American baseball food tradition!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Here is the final score for Fluffy Thoughts Cakes at the Washington Nationals Park...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel Filling inside Candy Bar Crunch Cupcake</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Gluten Free: Not Advertised (<span style="font-size: x-small;">there is a gluten free food stand next to the cupcake place but you should really get a cupcake</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Sugar Free: Not Available</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nationals Stadium... doesn't get better than that</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Flavor Selection: 3 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">They had four or five flavors and a mini cupcake sample box available, but I would have liked to have seen some flavors related to baseball foods like cracker jacks, cotton candy, peanuts etc... NO hot dog flavor though! That would be nasty.</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Customer Service: 5 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Very </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">friendly and helpful!!!</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Really enjoyed the Candy Bar Crunch cupcake but couldn't get past the excessive sweetness of the Cookies n' Cream cupcake's frosting</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Oh... and just in case you were wondering about the game... the Nats won in the 9th ending 2-3 against the Mets... It was awesome! Let's Go Nats!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-10268041110674649092013-05-31T14:48:00.002-04:002013-06-10T17:51:54.247-04:00Cupcake Digest: National German Chocolate Cake Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Second Edition</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH71FZ9jZnQPrIw6bARiAd_IVF90Pm-TL5Knt763TMjRP-dVcJsc3oDyLC93jOpbFouoSVsc-eLMfu6SxMMsfUwrkaAjpSZi48HC_itOXbiCzU7YC6vEHKpCNz41uuRtRZitYhrDdJi6u/s1600/IMG_0716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH71FZ9jZnQPrIw6bARiAd_IVF90Pm-TL5Knt763TMjRP-dVcJsc3oDyLC93jOpbFouoSVsc-eLMfu6SxMMsfUwrkaAjpSZi48HC_itOXbiCzU7YC6vEHKpCNz41uuRtRZitYhrDdJi6u/s320/IMG_0716.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Chocolate Cupcake <br />from Confections Cupcakery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here at Cupcake Correspondents we are counting
down the days until National German Chocolate Cake Day on June 11th! So give
yourself a break from your summer diet and indulge in a German Chocolate
Cupcake! Yummy! Now before you break into a sprint to your local cupcakery, we
are pleased to give you some calorie free food for thought :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If the thought of German Chocolate Cake has you
conjuring up mental images of Oktoberfest and all things Deutschland, well
you would be mistaken... It turns out that German Chocolate Cake is about as
American as apple pie! Welche? (What?) Ja! (Yes!) Turns out this luscious
concoction of moist chocolate cake and smooth coconut pecan frosting emerged in
1957, after a submission by Mrs. George Clay to The Dallas Morning News. It
ain't German it be Texan ya'll! YEEHAW!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This clever housewife used a sweet baking
chocolate manufactured by the Walter Baker's & Company, called <i>Baker's
German's Sweet Chocolate, </i>to make her famous Sweet German Chocolate
Cake. Newspapers around the country quickly started to print Mrs. Clay's recipe
as it's popularity began to be as big as the Texas sky.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The German's Sweet Chocolate baking chocolate
was the creative brain child of a Baker's & Co. employee named Samuel
German. He developed this semi-sweet baking chocolate in 1852 with it's
wonderfully sweet and deep chocolate flavor that boast 46% cacao. What makes
baking chocolate special is it has been tempered to melt smoothy and evenly
while baking, thus creating a flavorsome chocolate taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So it your haven't already guessed by now, the
namesake for German Chocolate Cake is not the homeland of bockwurst, but a
pioneer in baking chocolatier Samuel German. Not many chocolatiers have a
renowned cake named in their honor. So hats off to Mr. German and his
semi-sweet baking chocolate breakthrough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have witnessed great entertainment pairings
over time, like: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid, Lucy and Desi, Thelma and Louise, Tom and Jerry, Pinky and the Brain, and
the list goes on... BUT no pairing entertains better than German Chocolate Cake
and Coconut Pecan Frosting. YUM!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coconut Pecan frosting is a cooked frosting
that end up like a thick and spreadable caramel with coconut and pecans mixed
in. Cooked or boiled frosting is sometimes referred to as poor-man's frosting.
For example, like buttercream frosting, cooked frosting achieves the same
smooth texture, but without buying excessive amounts of expensive butter or
cream. Mrs. Clay turned this simple inexpensive frosting into a fancy southern
classic by adding an exotic ingredient like coconut with traditional southern
pecans. Thus creating one of my favorite guilty pleasures... thanks Mrs. Clay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So make sure you honor National German
Chocolate Cake Day on June 11th, and head on down to your local cupcakery and
get yourself a German Chocolate Cupcake!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy National German Chocolate Cake Day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From your friends @ Cupcake Correspondents<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and
wish your friends a Happy German Chocolate Cake Day!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-50791174572276409282013-05-29T16:32:00.001-04:002013-05-30T09:15:42.311-04:00Sweet Reasons Cupcakes: Fredericksburg, VASweet Reasons Cupcakes<br />
<i>Regular: $2.75</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb6kOUyTiT95ggrA7tVsOGW0fUvg1XqLx6CHHBGmRX_OBnws6JuaMpLyBVqLv6Q0kBFztb9eKXUNw9ZhvJfOv5VtBDuaV5IfIhn37ttXGT3ZZ6cdnw3UvjuUP0Tw8tkMt5LrmZQATGicW/s1600/IMG_0682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb6kOUyTiT95ggrA7tVsOGW0fUvg1XqLx6CHHBGmRX_OBnws6JuaMpLyBVqLv6Q0kBFztb9eKXUNw9ZhvJfOv5VtBDuaV5IfIhn37ttXGT3ZZ6cdnw3UvjuUP0Tw8tkMt5LrmZQATGicW/s320/IMG_0682.jpg" width="239" /></a>It is summer for sure here in Virginia! Even though the weather is hot and humid, to us at Cupcake Correspondents every season is cupcake season! So we ventured out to Fredericksburg in search of Sweet Reasons, and to discover all the buzz surrounding this rising star of the cupcakery world.<br />
<br />
The location is a prime spot for any bakery since is it located near a Starbucks :) There is seating inside, and there were even samples of their cheesecake brownies :-p Yum... The inside isn't your typical small town cupcakery, but it is clean and all the cupcakes were displayed.<br />
<br />
They only sell gluten free cupcakes on Friday and Saturday, so plan ahead if you require some of those. We decided to try the Velvety Red, Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, and the Black & White.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXUd_FqvoDIRKO1klreP7cwA7L6b7LffjxVh3as9ftgUEukUbzojnxuzvi_V7mzUu9AzzA6Ua9SwYnYC9xMObzpo6wqWbVfwN1SufVE_1Cr2mSPEMUSbhU33EonSN1XUIp7Aa6KjGuwGP/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXUd_FqvoDIRKO1klreP7cwA7L6b7LffjxVh3as9ftgUEukUbzojnxuzvi_V7mzUu9AzzA6Ua9SwYnYC9xMObzpo6wqWbVfwN1SufVE_1Cr2mSPEMUSbhU33EonSN1XUIp7Aa6KjGuwGP/s320/IMG_0678.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Let's start with the bad news... The Velvety Red is not a fine crumb cake (see Cupcake Digest: Red Velvet for explanation), and the flavor of the cake was slightly bitter. The Velvety Red was moist and there was coco powder in the recipe, but the crumbs were just not fine enough to be "velvet", and the flavor could have been better.The frosting was definitely cream cheese, but there could have been more of it. All the cakes were "deep" and all the cupcakes could have supported more frosting. The cupcake to frosting ratio was off balanced.<br />
<br />
The Peanut Butter Cup cupcake was cute but to salty, which is a common sin in most "peanut" themed cupcakes. Although, the peanut butter chocolate chip center was yummy, and again the chocolate cake was moist.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3AUL8YFHy_kLTuIwyi9c2qWE7kgjkGihYflH7UXgqB3uBbKWmunvW8LGnOMhRQ4kxmIu_T_2zxrIU1es34VGgLxVUa6UJOXtYpbSdspd0lcO9VzTjFoMRDtGIrl9qXVhhKeoOoIC9Pgb/s1600/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3AUL8YFHy_kLTuIwyi9c2qWE7kgjkGihYflH7UXgqB3uBbKWmunvW8LGnOMhRQ4kxmIu_T_2zxrIU1es34VGgLxVUa6UJOXtYpbSdspd0lcO9VzTjFoMRDtGIrl9qXVhhKeoOoIC9Pgb/s320/IMG_0691.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies & Cream Yummy-ness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Cookies & Cream is my favorite rendition of this flavor combination so far! I normally don't go for a vanilla based cake when I consider something that should be inspirited by an Oreo, because I believe the cake should be chocolate flavored in order to best represent the chocolate cookie portion of an Oreo. However, this cupcake mocked my theory with it's prefect interpretation of Cookies & Cream. The cake was moist and had bits of Oreos running through it, and the frosting tasted just like the inside of an Oreo (always a good thing)! Still could have used more frosting though...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
The Black & White was a good cupcake version of their delicious cheesecake brownie. The chocolate brownie cake with it's wonderful chocolate chip cheesecake center was divine, and almost erased the "velvety" red mishap ;)<br />
<br />
If you are in Fredericksburg and needed a cupcake fix, well... Sweet Reasons would be a good place to go. Here is our summary...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMFTf1eovvHofqpZtYHL67c_sNN8iK27mAUbaopvdQxiaz6pJ31bWF2y4FVg5x5e1oRUkHeUAnPFXqBdhwBM7ZRcdNpiS57Qr7t6Sh0T2aopIzkgpeTbGijuTsk-uZkRuD30DT3t33jwF/s1600/IMG_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMFTf1eovvHofqpZtYHL67c_sNN8iK27mAUbaopvdQxiaz6pJ31bWF2y4FVg5x5e1oRUkHeUAnPFXqBdhwBM7ZRcdNpiS57Qr7t6Sh0T2aopIzkgpeTbGijuTsk-uZkRuD30DT3t33jwF/s320/IMG_0684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black & White and Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Gluten Free: Available (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Friday & Saturday only</span>)<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 4 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (it was nice and clean but not impressive)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 3.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(could have been more unique but the flavors were trendy)</span><br />
Customer Service: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(acknowledged us and answered our questions)</span><br />
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Overall Quality: 3.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(still disappointed about the red velvet but the Cookies & Cream redeemed them... ALL of the cupcakes required more balance between cake and frosting... more frosting ya'll!)</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-27050909520774343602013-05-14T19:47:00.000-04:002013-05-14T22:16:56.722-04:00Cappellino's Crazy Cakes: Charlottesville, VA<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Cappellino's Crazy Cakes</div>
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<i>Regular: $2.75</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fHxetdCPJY/UZEvAk__TrI/AAAAAAAAAmo/enI0tckkbuo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fHxetdCPJY/UZEvAk__TrI/AAAAAAAAAmo/enI0tckkbuo/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a>Surrounded by history and the blue ridge mountains of Shenandoah, we find the cupcakes of all cupcakes; Cappellino's Crazy Cakes.<br />
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We fell in love with this cupcakery because of the first thing that grabbed our eye... The cupcake of the day, "Carrot Cake." Let's just say carrotcake was more than honored. It was like they knew we were coming. But, for the record we did not let this sway our judgement on the cupcakes we were about to try.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cfRtfQVZWA/UZEvBBLVOQI/AAAAAAAAAmw/m7It-ktNSts/s1600/photo+copy+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cfRtfQVZWA/UZEvBBLVOQI/AAAAAAAAAmw/m7It-ktNSts/s320/photo+copy+7.JPG" width="240" /></a>We did some research on Crazy Cakes before we came and we were happy to hear (words from their website) that they<br />
"do not use preservatives or additives of any kind." Also another thing was they do not refrigerate their cake, because they found out it dries out the cake and makes the decorations very soft. Something carrotcake and I now find to be the problem with the Cake Love cupcakes. Also they are known for their poundcake cupcakes. So, out we went and drove for an hour plus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6EIVAxcTEQ/UZEu_3kOy8I/AAAAAAAAAmg/XbEsL2OpcQU/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6EIVAxcTEQ/UZEu_3kOy8I/AAAAAAAAAmg/XbEsL2OpcQU/s320/photo+copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The New Yorker poundcake, Chocolate with buttercream frosting, <br />Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The store was lovely and the staff very happy and smiling. I love happy people who work with sweets. They should be happy, because they make so many people happy with all of their sweet nothings. We saw the owners there and were glad not to find them yelling or walking around with unhappy faces. They clearly love what they do and it shows!<br />
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The selection of cupcakes were amazing! The names cute and clever, we wanted them all. The only downside was no gluten-free cupcakes, but they do have a gluten-free chocolate haystacks. They had a sample and it was amazingly good! I'm sure if they did make gluten-free cupcakes they would be amazingly good too. *hint, hint Cappellino's Crazy Cakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiqrzRSoWC4/UZLL8B8gq-I/AAAAAAAAAnA/oGbDeTztKn0/s1600/photo+copy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiqrzRSoWC4/UZLL8B8gq-I/AAAAAAAAAnA/oGbDeTztKn0/s320/photo+copy+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Yorker</td></tr>
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Ok, now for the sweet-goodness-nothings of cupcakes that we bought this time around. I mean this time around, because we will be back. We bought four this time: The New Yorker poundcake (and yes I ordered it with the NY accent), Chocolate with buttercream frosting, Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake.<br />
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We will spotlight two from this trip, and hope you will make your way to this shop. The New Yorker was light, fluffy, moist, smooth and felt like being on stage on broadway. With all the glamor and joy of having a standing ovation. The blue eatable glitter and chocolate candy on the top was amazingly good. The one thing that both of us really agreed on was the smoothness and lightness of all the frostings. They complimented each cupcake, and didn't over power them or make them feel heavy. Really enjoyed this cupcake!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikv1HTJMdsc/UZEu-uKoQVI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Po9u7PD0etY/s1600/photo+copy+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikv1HTJMdsc/UZEu-uKoQVI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Po9u7PD0etY/s320/photo+copy+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Red Velvet</span></td></tr>
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We are giving the award of "Best Red Velvet Cupcake," so far, to Cappellino's Crazy Cakes! This was really really amazingly good! It's a true red velvet. When your taste buds say "wow" after the first taste something yummy is happening!<br />
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Here's our cupcake score for Cappellino's Crazy Cakes:<br />
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Gluten Free: Not available<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbjoKD-o3T8/UZEu8e4ue7I/AAAAAAAAAmA/ixuV94e2Glk/s1600/photo+copy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbjoKD-o3T8/UZEu8e4ue7I/AAAAAAAAAmA/ixuV94e2Glk/s320/photo+copy+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Red Velvet goodness</td></tr>
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Sugar Free: Not available<br />
Vegan: Not available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(simple and to the point)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">( had a lot to choose from.)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(smiled when we came in, happy the whole time, eye contact, and said hello and have a nice day)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Overall Quality: 5+ out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(amazing cupcakes!)</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-73111086173828225002013-04-20T22:47:00.000-04:002013-04-23T09:14:39.630-04:00Cupcakes Actually: Fairfax, VACupcakes Actually<br />
<i>Dipped: $3.75</i><br />
<i>Speciality: $3.50</i><br />
<i>Regular: $3.25</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDx17TroENfjneDxkpGMP2GbhfANf3GRTIxFfQnUP0ogx3J0ZzTPg24lMA6fveE1KmVcVxvawpFqkoEm0pMFSWur-Kxv62mGGfUaKXwwOa7NroOdomy7lKXQQ_hUSY80xWFscxn_7nGou/s1600/store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDx17TroENfjneDxkpGMP2GbhfANf3GRTIxFfQnUP0ogx3J0ZzTPg24lMA6fveE1KmVcVxvawpFqkoEm0pMFSWur-Kxv62mGGfUaKXwwOa7NroOdomy7lKXQQ_hUSY80xWFscxn_7nGou/s320/store.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Nestled in the hip and exciting shopping center of Fairfax Corner, is the home of Cupcakes Actually and their celebrated "dipped" cupcakes! We've had dipped cupcakes at other cupcakeries, since it is a growing trend in the cupcake world, but we were excited to try them at Cupcakes Actually since they boast it is their speciality. So we brought along a friend and embarked on what we hoped would be a memorable cupcake experience with chocolate on top ;)<br />
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They normally only have 8 or 10 flavors available for ready-sell a day, so check the website if you have a particular craving... however, the basic chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet are always available. Also they sell "milk shots" for 25 cents plus tax, which is a cute idea but based on the cup size a bit pricey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3m2UAQPjF1EtDdsVQEeJAGeMMWHP2cBZM7zE8XeZctftuTxXnt7rwUHOPURnjTygRe0qTSCSZ9MUDHba78xzysCRMZNG9YNrG8QQH06VkU6RvzYGccV30BfCgRJxUfioS4LCYVAukXGf/s1600/coco.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3m2UAQPjF1EtDdsVQEeJAGeMMWHP2cBZM7zE8XeZctftuTxXnt7rwUHOPURnjTygRe0qTSCSZ9MUDHba78xzysCRMZNG9YNrG8QQH06VkU6RvzYGccV30BfCgRJxUfioS4LCYVAukXGf/s320/coco.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flourless Chocolate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Since it is a busy place, however, I didn't feel like the staff was very attentive... I understand the need to replenish the cupcake stock, but multitasking while trying to interact with customers is a difficult skill... customer service was lacking.<br />
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Now on to the cupcakes... We didn't notice all the flavors that were advertised on the website as being available for that day, but they seemed to be running short at the end of this particular day. Nonetheless, we purchased the Flourless Chocolate, Simply Red, Actually Dipped Black & White, and Dipped Peanut Butter Banana.<br />
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The Flourless Chocolate is their gluten-free option which was like a chocolatey-fudgey-brownie cake with a vanilla bean buttercream frosting that was smooth, light, and slightly sweet. Chocolate Ganache was a big fan and savored every bite, but she managed to share a crumb for me to sample... LOL it was literally a crumb, but it was all fair.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZi9HE0UgdP93ACLlXnwp3qm7Jk21I0aDHzFm-w13UPtNPHLodnymPBtbv_F63YJjMXY6_ZUNG5lw0I0_gA4u_LRRwCB2z2P-3H0mABhnY5Dm-Ire61uQIt_4nkJl2Fu_bMSEL3rpkBbG/s1600/black.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZi9HE0UgdP93ACLlXnwp3qm7Jk21I0aDHzFm-w13UPtNPHLodnymPBtbv_F63YJjMXY6_ZUNG5lw0I0_gA4u_LRRwCB2z2P-3H0mABhnY5Dm-Ire61uQIt_4nkJl2Fu_bMSEL3rpkBbG/s320/black.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually Dipped Black & White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Dipped cupcakes were really good, and were a perfect example of what a dipped cupcake should be. The Dipped Peanut Butter Banana was a banana cake with a luscious peanut butter frosting, generously dipped in chocolate ganache, topped with peanuts, and a banana chip. The cake was light so it definitely wasn't like eating banana bread, which was a good thing. The Actually Dipped Black & White had a flavorful vanilla cake with a vanilla buttercream frosting. The cakes were not dry but they had courser crumbs, so the cakes weren't as velvety or "bouncy" as finer crumb cakes are... it is what it is and it is good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdse_F2TSikNmmq03CDPEEhxz7cIyVj8SOs9dAh6kn2RWa9NQrJTiWiUK3pAKVHmO4dL5_8tuc4wGsa_MnbKaWEMES7hxRB3TvC2zLJidZo-KHti6DPiX_Fo8j06ML2puysQW0mhbfuo-/s1600/open.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdse_F2TSikNmmq03CDPEEhxz7cIyVj8SOs9dAh6kn2RWa9NQrJTiWiUK3pAKVHmO4dL5_8tuc4wGsa_MnbKaWEMES7hxRB3TvC2zLJidZo-KHti6DPiX_Fo8j06ML2puysQW0mhbfuo-/s320/open.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipped Peanut Butter Banana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Simply Red was their red velvet that isn't a red velvet. Basically you could tell by looking at it's vibrant red color that it didn't have enough, or didn't have any, coco in the recipe (see our Cupcake Digest post on Red Velvet). The cream cheese frosting was really good, and even had a good vanilla bean taste that made it distinctive and flavorful.<br />
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Here's our cupcake score for Cupcakes Actually:<br />
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Gluten Free: Available<br />
Sugar Free: None advertised<br />
Vegan: Available<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOWCw1bkg4AQkfRkbqOAH41L3Lbf0McW9t6lQd_oe2-lWMWbpWZWN-YQ8ZD7In05aj1l2I9M3YXYv5l_tR3rDw0yLlp0BRaHOjM44s8AOERuaWVI5Smx4FRTjR2YwD6pOptw5rz3LiL6e/s1600/red.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOWCw1bkg4AQkfRkbqOAH41L3Lbf0McW9t6lQd_oe2-lWMWbpWZWN-YQ8ZD7In05aj1l2I9M3YXYv5l_tR3rDw0yLlp0BRaHOjM44s8AOERuaWVI5Smx4FRTjR2YwD6pOptw5rz3LiL6e/s320/red.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply Red</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(simple and adorable design made for a happy cupcake environment)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(had gluten free and vegan available for ready-sell, but didn't notice all the flavors available that were advertised as being sold for that day)</span><br />
Customer Service: 2 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(eye contact with the customer is important and making sure they feel at home... didn't really get that... but they were busy)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(enjoyed the cupcakes, the customer service bothered me a bit, but we will return soon!)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-39938507548409898372013-04-16T22:32:00.000-04:002013-04-17T17:48:27.591-04:00Sprinkles: Los Angeles, CA<br />
Sprinkles<br />
<i>Regular Flavors: $3.25</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">In the heart of Los Angeles,</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;"> Sprinkles is the first of the world's cupcake bakery. When we were on vacation we had to make a stop at their LA location. It was the best feeling to come to a location the has started a huge buzz on cupcakes.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">The cupcakery is small, more like a Starbucks at an airport... in and out kinda place. The servers are very nice and one of them was polite enough to explain about the gluten free options (now that one of us has to eat gluten-free, no worries). He explained about the attention they put into their gluten free products. What we learned was that ALL of the frosting is gluten free! They thought it was easier than trying to remember the difference, or trying to keep them </span></span></span>separate<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;"> from each other. Just want to point out the cupcake holders behind the glass (look to picture on the lower left). How cute is that?! It's such a clever idea! That way they don't slide on each other.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">We got the following cupcakes: Red Velvet, Irish Cream, Gluten free Chocolate, Black and White Chocolate. We actually stopped by on St. Patrick's Day, and of course, had to try the Irish Cream. It definitely had that irish whiskey flavor in the cream. A little strong on the irish whiskey part, but if you like that its a keeper. It was fun to try, but not a one to get all the time.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esafHpSekj8/UW399El-deI/AAAAAAAAAec/_DlxWaswxz4/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esafHpSekj8/UW399El-deI/AAAAAAAAAec/_DlxWaswxz4/s320/IMG_1289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten free Chocolate cupcake w/ buttercream</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">Looking at the pictures again, how cute are the little cut outs on each cupcake. The "G" on the gluten-free was very clever. It was a good label for a "good" (and "gluten-free") cupcake... and it was "good." Kinda reminded me of CakeLove... or what CakeLove use to be. A true gourmet cupcake! The frosting on all of them are a little </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">grainy though. However, did not have too much frosting, just the right amount. The forks were kinda weird. I get the whole green thing, but the wood wasn't a smooth texture, and took away the cupcake texture on the tongue. I like the name on the handle making it special and cool... good and free souvenir. I would just change the wooden part of the spoon. I wanted to think about how good the cupcake was, not if I was going to get splinters while eating.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Velvet/ with cream cheese frosting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">We always have to comment about the red velvet. </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Tasting the cake part it has a </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">vinegar</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">/sweet taste to it. The cake itself is a true red velvet. The cake didn't fall apart or crumble, and was still moist and fluffy. I love it when you can push down on cake and it bounces back. It's a beautiful thing!</span></span></span></div>
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We know there is a Sprinkles in the DC area (Georgetown) and we will be trying that one soon. This franchise will be the first cupcake tasting comparison from both the East and West coasts. These are very good cupcakes; different and unique! Differently a Hollywood icon! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BGgHmTTMs8/UW396UCbI6I/AAAAAAAAAeA/wpEpEnMJJI8/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BGgHmTTMs8/UW396UCbI6I/AAAAAAAAAeA/wpEpEnMJJI8/s320/IMG_1288.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Velvet, Irish Cream, <br />Gluten free Chocolate, Black & White</span></td></tr>
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We give Sprinkles the following rating...<br />
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Gluten Free: Available<br />
Sugar Free: Available, but you have to ask for the doggie cupcake. It's a normal cupcake with nothing weird, just doesn't have sugar in it and less calories (60 to be exact).<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(it's cute with pinks and browns)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(all of the normal ones, but with holiday themed ones also)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the server was friendly and answered our questions)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the cupcakes were good!)</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-57155302896917600512013-04-16T19:25:00.002-04:002013-06-13T21:51:02.344-04:00Confections Cupcakery: Manassas, VAConfections Cupcakery<br />
$2.50 each<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7W1DAtIWF8/UW3DJaTu7eI/AAAAAAAAAcY/IvEQqmLpA3c/s1600/IMG_1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7W1DAtIWF8/UW3DJaTu7eI/AAAAAAAAAcY/IvEQqmLpA3c/s320/IMG_1492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Their slogan: "Believe in the Hype," and we agree to that statement! This is the second time I, ChocolateGanache, have been to this cupcakery. This is CarrotCake's first, and as much as I love their cupcakes, CarrotCake also fell in love.<br />
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The cupcakery is adorable! This is the largest store size we have seen so far. They have some chairs and tables, but the variety they offer in cupcakes makes you want to grab your favs and go home and cuddle up to watch a good movie. These are by far the best cupcakes we have had! The consistency of their cupcakes is perfection. Watch out Georgetown Cupcakes you have competition ; )<br />
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They have a variety of cupcakes like: the normal kind, cake pops, and mini cupcakes. All very cute and yummy. But, our visit this time is just to try the normal cupcakes. We picked out from a large selection: Peanut Butter Cup, Red Velvet, Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie, and Pink Champagne. We will focus on three this time...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEwZgIi5QWc/UW3DL7hHPjI/AAAAAAAAAc0/x-_FDen6nZI/s1600/IMG_1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEwZgIi5QWc/UW3DL7hHPjI/AAAAAAAAAc0/x-_FDen6nZI/s320/IMG_1494.jpg" width="264" /></a><br />
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First up the Red Velvet. This is a classic red velvet done very well. It does not have the store brought box mix taste; which we love. It is definitely gourmet! The cake was fluffy and moist. I love it when the top of the cake has a little bit of caramelization. This is my favorite part of any cupcake and all of their cupcakes have it. This is when you know it was done right. The cream-cheese frosting was the prefect balance of sweet and tangy. Red Velvet fans give this one a try and then post (below) what you think. We know you love red velvet like we do : )<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Velvet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BH0h5hFDqW0/UW3DPiymhRI/AAAAAAAAAdY/6kgQyIIiN2I/s1600/IMG_1506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BH0h5hFDqW0/UW3DPiymhRI/AAAAAAAAAdY/6kgQyIIiN2I/s320/IMG_1506.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the Red Velvet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJbtJzx2_yM/UW3DMnAsaGI/AAAAAAAAAdA/m2_bwUUdWAw/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJbtJzx2_yM/UW3DMnAsaGI/AAAAAAAAAdA/m2_bwUUdWAw/s320/IMG_1501.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pink Champagne</span></span></td></tr>
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Second up is the Pink Champagne. This one is perfect for any shower you are throwing for a friend or family member. It's cute, fun, beautiful, pink, with little pearl candy on the frosting. AND the best part it, does taste like it has bubbles in it; like from the champagne. But no affects... well, none that I can remember ; )</div>
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The frosting is buttercream, and what I love about their buttercream is that it doesn't have that ton of butter taste some others have... it's light and smooth. Kinda like the homemade butter you would make in the baby food jars, as a kid, because that butter always came out smooth and lovely. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIWJy6GZfmg/UW3DOeOvvwI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/iyvitlRr5aI/s1600/IMG_1503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIWJy6GZfmg/UW3DOeOvvwI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/iyvitlRr5aI/s320/IMG_1503.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie</span></span></td></tr>
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Last up (the best is always last) the Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie dipped cupcake. Yes, I said dip! I'll get to that a little later. First, it taste a lot like the Girl Scout Cookie Thin mints. But not too minty. It's a good balance of chocolate and mint. I LOVE chocolate (so shows my name), and the chocolate flavor is still there. Sometimes the mint over powers it, but that wasn't the case here. Now...we talk dip! This seems to be a new "hype" in the cupcake world we are so happy to live in. It's the same idea as the dipped ice-cream cone, but better! Inside (as shown below) is the creamy-loveliness of whipped buttercream frosting. This is the best part. It's like pudding, cake, and fudge all wrapped into one. Bless the person who was in a good mood to make this! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5QRmLTBU-Y/UW3DQPN8ERI/AAAAAAAAAdc/zLfWkZFoWHc/s1600/IMG_1509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5QRmLTBU-Y/UW3DQPN8ERI/AAAAAAAAAdc/zLfWkZFoWHc/s320/IMG_1509.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">inside the Thin Mint Cookie Cupcake</span></span></td></tr>
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This cupcakery has a guest rewards card too, that I thought was clever and a good way to have the guest remember to come back. Each time you visit you get a mark on the card that leads to a free cupcake. Guess which one I will be getting...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6Ok-__qsqQ/UW3EqLiPpSI/AAAAAAAAAdw/b_wS4so1buE/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6Ok-__qsqQ/UW3EqLiPpSI/AAAAAAAAAdw/b_wS4so1buE/s320/IMG_1511.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rewards card for each visit</span></span></td></tr>
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We give Confections Cupcakery the following rating...<br />
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Gluten Free: Not yet, they are working on the batter. So, it is prefect!<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(it is the Tiffany's of cupcakeries)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(you name it they have it, plus some others you never would think of)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the server was friendly and very helpful)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Overall Quality: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(give them a try and let us know by posting here on our blog. thanks!)</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-18192435684869099112013-04-09T17:39:00.002-04:002013-04-09T18:57:54.280-04:00A Sweet Design: Granada Hills, CAA Sweet Design<br />
<i>Specialty Flavors: $3.75</i><br />
<i>Regular Flavors: $3.00</i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l84xXsbc8eU/UWSI0O7ctlI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Q2w5fbdl5Fc/s1600/IMG_1154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l84xXsbc8eU/UWSI0O7ctlI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Q2w5fbdl5Fc/s320/IMG_1154.jpg" width="240" /></a>We are always on the lookout for a great cupcakery, and while on vacation in California we just couldn't pass up this California cupcakery in downtown Granada Hills! A Sweet Design is a custom cake studio that serves cupcakes. The atmosphere was like Snow White's cottage turned into a cake studio showroom! However, the cupcakes were clearly displayed and ready for purchase.<br />
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It was a bit difficult finding parking on the street, but we were there during a downtown Granada Hills food truck weekend... and to our dismay there weren't any cupcake trucks... dessert first people!!!<br />
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All of the flavor selections were in touch with what is popular at the moment. Their signature cupcake was the Pink Velvet Cupcake. Don't let the name confuse you! Pink velvet cakes have no relation to our beloved red velvet with it's rich coco and brown sugar taste.<br />
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Whether it be pink, blue, green, or whatever the unnatural hue, its genealogy lies with the classic white butter cake. This cake also has a fine crumb that earns the right to be called "velvet", but its lighter texture owes thanks to the whipped butter and egg whites in the recipe. The pink velvet cupcake at A Sweet Design was adorably pink, and strawberry flavored...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjNN5sJWdnA/UWSJE-VRyeI/AAAAAAAAAb8/5vZoAX70iHg/s1600/IMG_1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjNN5sJWdnA/UWSJE-VRyeI/AAAAAAAAAb8/5vZoAX70iHg/s320/IMG_1160.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Right to Bottom Left: Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, <br />
Oreo, Red Velvet, Decadent Chocolate</td></tr>
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We liked the Oreo Cupcake which had a good vanilla cake with Oreo cookie bits baked in it, and a fluffy buttercream frosting dusted with Oreo cookie crumbs. The vanilla cake also had a chocolate buttercream filling which added an extra chocolate flavor that the cake was lacking.<br />
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The Chocolate Cupcake with chocolate buttercream frosting was also a winner with a moist chocolate cake, and a fudge-y chocolate frosting... "fudge-y" is always a good thing!<br />
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The Decadent Chocolate cake was very chocolatey with that bitter chocolate taste, which would please any die hard chocolate lover. ChocolateGanache was happy with it :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NFVI5vfaTY/UWSJEAJY6UI/AAAAAAAAAbw/bcs2iJutJjU/s1600/IMG_1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NFVI5vfaTY/UWSJEAJY6UI/AAAAAAAAAbw/bcs2iJutJjU/s320/IMG_1162.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreo Cupcake with buttercream frosting</td></tr>
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The Lemon Cupcake can be a treacherous flavor, because it is hard to balance the right amount of "lemon-y-ness"... but they did a pretty good job.<br />
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The Strawberry Cheesecake cupcake wasn't memorable, but had a tart cheesecake-like frosting dusted with graham cracker crust that was pretty.<br />
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Of course, we tried their Red Velvet, and it was good! Moist, light, and fluffy with a tangy and not-to-sweet cream cheese frosting. Was it memorable? No... but there is a lot of competition out there.<br />
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We asked about gluten free and were told it is available but you have to pre-order. Being that we were in California I was a bit surprised when they told us vegan and sugar free cupcake options were not available.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYNfQw7Ujzk/UWSJE3Ag4XI/AAAAAAAAAb4/V-YcsTf5vtA/s1600/IMG_1164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYNfQw7Ujzk/UWSJE3Ag4XI/AAAAAAAAAb4/V-YcsTf5vtA/s320/IMG_1164.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Oreo Cupcake, yummy goodness!</td></tr>
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We give A Sweet Design the following rating...<br />
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Gluten Free: Available via Pre-Order<br />
Sugar Free: Not Available<br />
Vegan: Not Available<br />
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Cupcake Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(they advertised it as a cupcake shop outside, but it is really a cake studio showroom... plus finding street parking was a bit of a pain, but we arrived during a food truck weekend)</span><br />
Flavor Selection: 3 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(they had all of the popular flavors, but the selections were not very inventive)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the server was friendly and answered our questions)</span><br />
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Overall Quality: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the cupcakes were good!)</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-5611507091961754472013-04-04T14:39:00.000-04:002013-07-21T16:20:43.649-04:00Cupcake Digest: The Red Velvet Cupcake<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0whPWLR3MYk/UexCM6Wp6KI/AAAAAAAAApk/_BbvaSpaAjM/s1600/photo+copy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0whPWLR3MYk/UexCM6Wp6KI/AAAAAAAAApk/_BbvaSpaAjM/s320/photo+copy+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Velvet from Cappellino's Crazy Cakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>First Edition</i><br />
<br />
Here is our first ever edition of <i>Cupcake Correspondents
Cupcake Digest</i>!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Red Velvet Cake or Cupcake has surely become popular
with consumers, and is often referred to as the “signature” cupcake of many
cupcakeries. Here at Cupcake Correspondents we refer to the red velvet cupcake
as “The Great Equalizer”, because we can guarantee that wherever and whatever
cupcakery we walk into there will be a red velvet cupcake available. So what
makes this yummy dessert concoction so appealing? Well, let us explore this red
velvet mystery and see if we can find out…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quick search on the Internet of the history of Red Velvet
cake will present you with many stories about the origin of this cake, but
honestly we don’t really know who or where this particular recipe came from.
One thing that is commonly agreed upon by cupcake scholars is that the cake
started making headlines in the 1920s at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York
City. Which is a bit odd considering we associate red velvet as a Southern cake
not a New England cake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The name is a bit more interesting… the term “velvet” has
come to be known in cake circles as a denotation of any cake that has especially fine
crumbs. Where as the term “red” refers to the cakes red color. But why is red
velvet cake… well… red? Here comes a chemistry lesson for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The basic ingredients of red velvet cake must include:
butter, flour, sugar, brown sugar, coco powder and some sort of acid (vinegar
or buttermilk). It is the chemical reaction of the anthocyanin (red
vegetable pigments) in the coco powder and the recipe's acid component that produces a red hue
color to the cake. This chemical reaction also gives the cake the right to coin
the “velvet” title since it makes the cake light, moist, and fluffy with fine
crumbs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, this reaction typically does not produce a strong
red color in the cake that we typically associate with Red Velvet, but it makes a
strong case that Red Velvet cakes/cupcakes must include an acid and coco powder
in it’s recipe to be considered Red Velvet. So why does the modern Red Velvet
include red food coloring? Well…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the Great Depression, The Adams Extract Company
decided to make their signature Red Velvet Cake recipe, with exorbitant amounts
of red food coloring, an incentive for housewives across America to buy more
food coloring. Because in order to make your red velvet redder than the Jones’
next door you needed to add red food coloring! Right?! Some cheaper/smarter people
even started to include beet juice to make the red velvet redder! Thus Red
Velvet Cake began to be associated more with its’ “red-ness” rather than its
rich coco and brown sugar taste.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Typically Red Velvet cakes are topped with cream cheese
frosting, but during the early days Red Velvet cakes were frosted with a
French-style butter roux icing. So long as it is tasty, light and fluffy it
doesn’t really matter what you choose to top it with… here at Cupcake
Correspondents we prefer cream cheese frosting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now go forth and eat a Red Velvet cupcake! You even have
some interesting facts to share with friends at the “cupcake table!” But let
cupcakeries the world over take note… the Red Velvet Cupcake has a complex
history BUT it is a simple classic so long as the basic ingredients are all
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us all eat Cupcakes!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CarrotCake<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blogger @ Cupcake Correspondents<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-63055461656498182052013-02-20T11:30:00.005-05:002013-03-31T18:38:51.179-04:00Cupcake Heaven: Haymarket, VA<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<b>Cupcake Heaven</b><br />
<i>$2.75 each</i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS9qVgzwf1aLmQ9lhIAWXDhtz6RCRFLrJbdt6Pb4uOSgbIAFKPfXOdvw3dfveRFCBhpnfFFmTtyaRwT3NXuXZV-xo2nSk6p0-MmDhFpNcm1eZx9jqAdabl0aeI47Ps_3v5IYDC34cpbFM/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS9qVgzwf1aLmQ9lhIAWXDhtz6RCRFLrJbdt6Pb4uOSgbIAFKPfXOdvw3dfveRFCBhpnfFFmTtyaRwT3NXuXZV-xo2nSk6p0-MmDhFpNcm1eZx9jqAdabl0aeI47Ps_3v5IYDC34cpbFM/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie n Cream & Vanilla Almond Raspberry Cupcakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUVfCYx1NfI7gDkQzMNYAFZoqyC6IIL7lvzxec1mtYW7JAsbxfZoFFjfcI0dZctQX9tLXErrB6MPlfo7PTDZiA87Q4GrZzBTRLIzucE-OpL1KPzT8yST8zmvcmtl3anecVrxFSFf9_CIg/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUVfCYx1NfI7gDkQzMNYAFZoqyC6IIL7lvzxec1mtYW7JAsbxfZoFFjfcI0dZctQX9tLXErrB6MPlfo7PTDZiA87Q4GrZzBTRLIzucE-OpL1KPzT8yST8zmvcmtl3anecVrxFSFf9_CIg/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies n Cream Closeup *smile*</td></tr>
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Cupcake Heaven, located off Washington Street in Haymarket, Virginia, has all the promise of a small town cupcakery; however, the atmosphere once inside is more like a coffee bar/cafe. The cupcakes are individually displayed at the cash register under glass domes, but this is really the only indication of a cupcakery.<br />
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But let's get down to the real business at hand... THE CUPCAKES! The two flavors figured here are Cookies n' Cream & Vanilla Almond Raspberry. Both of which had smooth and lightly sweet buttercream frosting... not the best but not the worst either.<br />
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The Cookie n' Cream frosting could have boasted more oreo-cookie-ness, but in a world of Mega Stuffed Oreos... well clearly there is never enough :p The addition of buttercream frosting filling inside the chocolate cake was a welcome surprise! The chocolate cake itself wasn't dry but lacked a bit of chocolate flavor punch.<br />
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The Vanilla Almond Raspberry cupcake was a good almond cake, but the addition of the raspberry jelly beneath the buttercream frosting made this cupcake memorable. A must try if you decide to go :D<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAOw3iiONYbD5wUlA5sRqrOQwdSxn6dyvN_C_hgYpi4ytlG05DvVhsXF3oLHkUZub_mrc_Z3HlVjPHAfKG3MXyHZPW5fZyshutFC63Z27qvk3GzVFPHObLxZ6L9bpSavjZQHHf-gxfw4l/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAOw3iiONYbD5wUlA5sRqrOQwdSxn6dyvN_C_hgYpi4ytlG05DvVhsXF3oLHkUZub_mrc_Z3HlVjPHAfKG3MXyHZPW5fZyshutFC63Z27qvk3GzVFPHObLxZ6L9bpSavjZQHHf-gxfw4l/s320/IMG_0526.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies n Cream cream filled insides...yummy :p</td></tr>
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I have to discuss the great equalizer of cupcakeries... the famous Red Velvet (image not displayed). This one is NOT so great. With so many Red Velvets out there you have to do it right. Red colored vanilla cake mix with cream cheese frosting is a far cry from what red velvet should be (wanna hear more from my soapbox on Red Velvet look for my addition in our Cupcake Correspondents Digest section coming soon).</div>
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Cupcake Heaven receives the following marks:</div>
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Gluten Free: None advertised</div>
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Sugar Free: None advertised</div>
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Cupcakery Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(it was clean, good decor, and with sitting, but wasn't a cupcakery)</span></div>
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Customer Service: 4 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (normally they are quick to give you your order since there normally isn't a line etc)</span></div>
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<b>Overall Quality: 3 out of 5 </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(just couldn't get past the Red Velvet & that it wasn't a cupcakery but a coffee shop)</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-7505368563627689272013-02-20T11:30:00.001-05:002013-03-29T16:48:41.785-04:00Cake Love: Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7h2ORcL3nzw/US0p25ohZTI/AAAAAAAAAZk/R2Zq-yqkBtA/s1600/IMG_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7h2ORcL3nzw/US0p25ohZTI/AAAAAAAAAZk/R2Zq-yqkBtA/s320/IMG_1005.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Store front @ Fair Oaks Mall</td></tr>
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<b>Cake Love</b><br />
<i>$3.35 each</i><br />
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Cake Love is one of the more popular cupcakeries/bakeries in the Washington DC Metro Area. As seen on the Food Network and food magazines; there are high expectations when it comes to partaking from one of these cupcakes. With fame comes consumer cost raise, because lets in honest... when we see something on TV and some big name chef or TV host says its good... well, we must find it and eat it too! Right? Well, we heard the call and partook of its goodness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYID271Oa3H-BCNZI8Gkow6AHNRUnON-JySB8FKStgQj7QsZhxfhgO8zSaaMLZapYGI4KBm2ziLwNU6GjjUSopqZ88D6moJubpxCazTBe091z2CmleiUhbQYLb1L-q8DP4JM8eWgBw7wc/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYID271Oa3H-BCNZI8Gkow6AHNRUnON-JySB8FKStgQj7QsZhxfhgO8zSaaMLZapYGI4KBm2ziLwNU6GjjUSopqZ88D6moJubpxCazTBe091z2CmleiUhbQYLb1L-q8DP4JM8eWgBw7wc/s320/IMG_0546.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy Wuzzy Chocolate </td></tr>
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We have visited Cake Love at the Fair Oaks Mall for a few years now, and normally the cupcakes are good. The Red Velvet (aka, The Great Equalizer) was respectable and conformed to the sacred necessity of being a coco based cake with red food dye, with the tart but lightly sweet cream cheese frosting. The only down side was you had to wait for your cupcake to defrost since they gently freeze the cupcakes in order to keep it fresh ( *hint: if you let the frosting defrost half way it taste like creamy ice-cream... yum)</div>
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Sadly :( the days of preserving freshness via a gentle freeze is gone. What makes that so sad you ask? Doesn't that just make it easier to eat right away? Well here's the deal... the cupcakes are dry! Even before bitting into them you could see and feel that the cake was dry (Check out the pics below and you'll see what I mean). Your plate or hands shouldn't be covered with flaking cake bits. It's should be moist and plushy. This was what they were like before, but again sadly they flaked : (</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWzPpz4G7dfLvfus1GVQ9dk-Zc7p_w60tBEq3ZeM8NnlVtzUh0hx_fv0wL_ZTSO6Upr58RkbqLZUEMR2vDdQfVKtMjKULjQDANRMpywOWEEFxwOWjSa4Q49wdUb47Yo3n9c42VSNp5NOu/s1600/IMG_0547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWzPpz4G7dfLvfus1GVQ9dk-Zc7p_w60tBEq3ZeM8NnlVtzUh0hx_fv0wL_ZTSO6Upr58RkbqLZUEMR2vDdQfVKtMjKULjQDANRMpywOWEEFxwOWjSa4Q49wdUb47Yo3n9c42VSNp5NOu/s320/IMG_0547.jpg" width="239" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut Delight</td></tr>
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With these disappointing thoughts in mind I give Cake Love the following marks:</div>
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Gluten Free: Not Advertised</div>
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Sugar Free: Not Available </div>
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Cupcakery Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(it is in a mall after all)</span></div>
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Flavor Selections: 5 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (flavors are on point for what is popular and the names are creative and fun)</span><br />
Customer Service: 5 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (quick and friendly)</span></div>
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<b>Overall Quality: 2.5 out of 5</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (just can't get past the dry cakes on the last few visits, which is the greatest of cupcake sins)</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-34300228490019147702013-02-20T11:29:00.002-05:002013-03-29T16:48:13.309-04:00Red Velvet Cupcakery: Reston, VA<b>Red Velvet</b><br />
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<i>$3.25 each</i></div>
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After a friend told us about the Red Velvet Cupcakery, naturally we had to try it. Our friend told us that their peanut butter cupcake was the best she has had. Our quest was plotted, our notepads in hand, our sweet tooth in dyer need, and off we went.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX8LZCtXork/UST5q3AEFsI/AAAAAAAAAY8/UiMS3ACzp6g/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX8LZCtXork/UST5q3AEFsI/AAAAAAAAAY8/UiMS3ACzp6g/s320/IMG_0995.JPG" width="320" /></a>After finding parking, the cupcakery was themed in a bright classic red color. Do to the name, of course. The atmosphere and the staff was friendly. Not a lot of tables to sit at, but it was clean. They offer basic drinks. I thought it was wonderful that they only offered organic chocolate milk. Not plain white milk, but chocolate. Sweet!!! We picked out (which wasn't easy) the <span style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter cup, Southern Belle,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Cookies 'N Cream, Devils Food, Northern Beauty, and B-Day. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3llUkGSq8uY/UST5vkqfw7I/AAAAAAAAAZE/AtI81O8IBx4/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3llUkGSq8uY/UST5vkqfw7I/AAAAAAAAAZE/AtI81O8IBx4/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(From upper left to lower right: Peanut Butter cup, Southern Belle, <br />
Cookies 'N Cream, Devils Food, Northern Beauty, B-Day)</td></tr>
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With the name <span style="text-align: left;">Red Velvet they 1) have to offer a </span><span style="text-align: left;">red velvet cupcake and 2) it has to live up to its name, right? Sadly, we both thought it was hit and miss. They did make it right, using a chocolate based cake with red dye, but something was missing. We tried both </span><span style="text-align: left;">red velvets. One called Southern Belle and the other Northern Beauty. We both liked the Northern Beauty the best. Let me explain, Southern Belle has whipped cream cheese frosting with a "moist" cake. They claim it is a must for any first timer and "will stand up to Grandma's recipe". While Northern Beauty is the same mix, it is sugar free. We felt the cake part of the Northern red velvet was more moist than the claimed Southern Belle. The frosting was creamier and smoother also (side note: they do offer a vegan/gluten-free one called "Black Velvet").</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzz4UiWgyWA/UST503ybLzI/AAAAAAAAAZU/tquyNenhC50/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzz4UiWgyWA/UST503ybLzI/AAAAAAAAAZU/tquyNenhC50/s320/IMG_0999.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">(Northern Beauty)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Quick highlights from our pick: Peanut butter cupcake that our friend said was the best she had, was too salty. It just taste like salt and was grainy. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Devils Food was really chocolatey. Reminded me of the chocolate cake you get at Costco. It also had a bittersweet chocolate ganache and it was garnished with a 24K gold leaf. As they mention <b><i>it is</i></b> for chocolate lovers. Very good and very smooth. Out of the two of us, one was only able to finish it </span><span style="text-align: left;">because it was really rich in flavor.</span><br />
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Go to Red Velvet and give it a try and than tell us what you think.<br />
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We give Red Velvet the following marks:<br />
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Gluten Free: Clearly Advertised & mentioned by server</div>
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Sugar Free: Clearly Advertised & mentioned by server</div>
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Cupcakery Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(good size, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">offered only chocolate milk (LOVE), </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">not enough seats though, nice signage and color)</span></div>
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Flavor Selections: 5 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (names are extremely creative and fun. I wanted to taste all of them)</span></div>
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<b>Overall Quality: 3.5 out of 5</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ( a little dry on the cake part, liked the frosting not to sweet)</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393029529506456751.post-67475532195035260912013-02-20T10:56:00.003-05:002013-03-29T18:08:08.470-04:00Alexandria Cupcake: Alexandria, VA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Alexandria Cupcakes </b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>$3.00 each</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>$3.50 Gluten free</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bgAioXibZ4/USTxuw99BFI/AAAAAAAAAYo/TLde9VUaOYI/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bgAioXibZ4/USTxuw99BFI/AAAAAAAAAYo/TLde9VUaOYI/s320/IMG_0783.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">We spent a long weekend in old town Alexandria. It was a lot of fun! We asked at this cute shop were we could get some good cupcakes. Alexandria Cupcakes was the second one mention, and it was on our way back to the hotel. </span></span></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The cupcakery is located in an old </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">town-home</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> that has been converted to shops. Very modern inside with little seating. They had this cute bookmark (see in picture to the left) that you could take for free. </span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuK_5Axh4_4/USTxsP9ofdI/AAAAAAAAAYg/v8gsEc2Fq1k/s1600/IMG_0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuK_5Axh4_4/USTxsP9ofdI/AAAAAAAAAYg/v8gsEc2Fq1k/s320/IMG_0785.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Red Velvet)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The staff said that their Red Velvet</span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"> </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">is their</span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"> </b></span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">signature cupcake. Being that is the one kind of cupcake the we "must try" at all cupcake shops, we got that one and the all dark chocolate cupcake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The red velvet cupcake has its classic buttermilk cake with a combination of cream cheese and buttercream frosting. It wasn't flaky or too dry. The frosting was the best. The cake wasn't that </span>memorable<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Dark Chocolate has a </span><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">belgian cocoa rouge buttercream frosting. This one was good, but I felt I could make it at home all the same. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Nothing really stood out to us at this bakery. The fluff was good on the cupcakes and the presentation was nice. So if you had no time to make those cupcakes for the PTA meeting at home, you could pass these off as your own.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JG3wtmAlE-E/USTxpuwT5pI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ZTuJG9GRJOw/s1600/IMG_0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JG3wtmAlE-E/USTxpuwT5pI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ZTuJG9GRJOw/s320/IMG_0786.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Dark Chocolate)</td></tr>
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We give <span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Alexandria Cupcakes</span> the following marks:<br />
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Gluten Free: Clearly Advertised</div>
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Sugar Free: Not Advertised or mentioned</div>
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Cupcakery Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(nothing that stood out, everyday shop but still nice</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div>
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Flavor Selections: 3 out of 5<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (everyday cupcake shop, nothing felt special)</span></div>
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<b>Overall Quality: 2.5 out of 5</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ( could have made these at home)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0