Tennessee T-Cakes

Looking for a cupcake alternative (not sure why you would be doing that)? Springwise believes that Tennessee T-Cakes could be a great choice. Tennessee T-Cakes resemble cupcakes in appearance, but they have a more brownie-like texture and are sprinkled with powdered sugar instead of topped with frosting.

The Tennessee T-Cake recipe is a secret that has been passed down from a young woman in the Civil War era. Legend says that she won over a Civil war captain's heart with these treats.

You can order one dozen original Tennessee T-Cakes for $10.95 and, for a limited time, get free shipping. Also available in Key Lime, Luscious Lemon, and Chocolate Truffle.

Happy One Year to Me!

It's hard to believe that it's been one year since I started this blog, but I guess time flies when you're having fun!

I want to thank my readers for the ideas, reviews, and comments that have helped this blog become what it is today.

I have had a blast exploring the world of cupcakes! I have learned so much and probably gained a few pounds in the process (actually I've just had to work out harder and longer)!

Here's to another great year of cupcake blogging!

Coming Up This Week: Two new cupcake reviews!

Apple Cupcakes--not what you think

I found this cute idea for apple "cupcakes" on a blog called Chasing Cheerios. The author made these cupcake-alternatives for a niece's birthday party.

Instead of using cake, you slice apples in half horizontally. Next, you spread a topping such as sugared cream cheese or peanut butter on top. Last, you can decorate with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or whatever. I love apples! Great idea!

A Little Late...

Two weeks ago I posted about the Passover Cupcakes that Sprinkles was selling for Passover. That day, my husband sent me on an errand to Sprinkles to pick up some of these cupcakes for his Jewish co-workers. I came home with eight Passover cupcakes and one chocolate coconut cupcake for me. As much as I love the flourless Passover cupcakes, I couldn't pass up the chocolate coconut. So worth it!

The Best Cupcakes Ever!!

I can't emphasize this enough--Elizabethan Desserts makes the best cupcakes I have ever tasted!!!

As I mentioned a few days ago, I paid a visit to Elizabethan Desserts after my Ironman 70.3 race two weeks ago. I had been looking forward to going there for months. I even emailed the store to make sure they would have my favorite cupcake. If you are ever in the Oceanside/Encinitas/San Diego area, please stop here and enjoy cupcake greatness!

Chocolate Toffee
(tastes like a Milk Bordeaux)

Rosie's Red Velvet
(with white chocolate cream cheese frosting)

My favorite cupcake:
Monkey Business
(banana cupcake with white chocolate cream cheese,
topped with caramel)

Mini Samoas Cheesecakes

I made it through an entire Girl Scout cookie season without eating one Girl Scout cookie. Some may see this as a tragedy, but I view it see it as a success, as Girl Scout cookie season came during the last weeks of my Half Ironman triathlon training.


Samoas have always been my favorite Girl Scout cookies (although they are not the most cost effective. Only 14 Samoas in a box compared to 40 Thin Mints!). I came across this recipe for Samoa Mascarpone Cheesecake. Elyse (love the name...maybe that's because my name is Elise too!) from Elyse's Confectionery Creations came up with this recipe for a Samoa-inspired dessert. She just made it up. Talk about talented!


These aren't quite cupcakes, but they are mini desserts so they qualify for my blog. And boy do they look delicious!! Now I just need a few hours of free time so I can try them out.

Cupcakes on Skateboard Decks

Cupcakes can be found everywhere! Even on skateboard decks. I dedicate this post to my husband, who is on a business trip in Texas. I miss you!

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Free Cupcakes for Crumbs Landlord

Check out this story that was picked up by NPR:

New York City landlords are known for driving a tough bargain. But landlord Jack Resnick and Sons put a little something sweet into a new lease: cupcakes. That's because the new tenant is the bakery Crumbs. The rider requires a dozen cupcakes to be delivered to the landlord's monthly sales meeting.

Sweet deal!


I still haven't been to Crumbs (California has four locations -- Beverly Hills, Glendale, Larchmont, and Calabasas -- none in Orange County yet), but I've already picked out the flavors I am going to try when I finally get there.


Baba Booey: Peanut butter and chocolate. The most perfect combination...ever.

Grasshopper: Chocolate, mint cream cheese frosting, chocolate chips, and Oreo pieces.

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Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Some people are so in tune with my thoughts, despite the fact that we've never even met! For example, Cupcake Project knows that I love cupcakes, but she also know how much I love chocolate chip cookies. So she decided to combine my two loves to make Cookie Dough Cupcakes!


These cupcakes are Brown Butter Cupcakes with a Cookie Dough Filling and topped with Cookie Dough Frosting. Cupcake Project uses an eggless cookie dough recipe, so that it is safe to eat. But really...have you ever known someone that has gotten sick from eating raw cookie dough? (I think that is part of the goodness of cookie dough, you feel like you are doing something risky!)

I think I want to try these out soon because I recently found out that my grandpa has never eaten cookie dough. Poor guy! This will get him hooked.

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Ironman 70.3 = Elizabethan Desserts

Saturday I competed in my first Ironman 70.3 (aka: Half Ironman). This is my fourth season of racing in triathlons. Wow, what a day! After swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running 13.1 miles, I was exhausted! (By the way, I finished in 6 hours, 12 minutes.)


My post-race tradition is that I get to eat a cupcake (or two or three). This serves as my motivation during the race. Of course I was excited about this race because I knew we would be going to Elizabethan Desserts after. But after I was done, I just wanted to go to sleep. We still got my cupcakes anyway. Pictures to come!

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Yum...flourless cupcakes!

Last year I bought one of Sprinkles Cupcakes Passover cupcakes. My friend had just found out that she wasn't supposed to eat flour anymore so I thought this cupcake might console her. It worked!...and it turns out that flourless cupcakes are SOOOO good!

This cupcake is a flourless Belgian dark chocolate cupcake topped with a Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean glaze. It is only available April 7-15. at Sprinkles Cupcakes. Jill, let's get one!

Movie Cupcakes

I love going to the movies! You used to be able to find me at opening night of every big blockbuster movie, but now...not so much. I probably only go to the movies three or four times a year. It's not because there aren't any good movies or because the price of a ticket is so high (I get discount tickets through Costco!). The problem is that I fall asleep.


My husband and I went to see Duplicity a few weeks ago with some friends. The movie didn't start until 10:30pm (which is late for me). Combine that with the fact that I'm sitting in a dark, warm room and I had just eaten a great Thai dinner. Within 20 minutes I was asleep. Maybe if I had some of these popcorn cupcakes, made by Smiley's Sweets, then I might have made it through the movie. Or maybe I just need to get to the movies earlier in the night.

LA Cupcake Challenge Results

Unfortunately, something came up at the last moment and I was unable to make it to the LA Cupcake Challenge. I heard it was a great time. Next year for sure! Here are the results:

Best Traditional:
1st - SusieCakes Red Velvet
2nd - Two Parts Sugar Raspberry Red Velvet
3rd - Blue Cupcake Chocolate

Best Original:
1st - Polkatots Dulce de Leche
2nd - Sugar Jones Blackberries and Cream
3rd - Sugar Jones Sweet Potato Pie

Best Overall:
1st - Polkatots Dulce de Leche
2nd - Sugar Jones Blackberries and Cream
3rd - Sugar Jones Casanova's Kiss

Two Parts Sugar Raspberry Red Velvet

I have tried Two Parts Sugar's Raspberry Red Velvet and it was very good. I'm so happy to hear that they received second place in the Best Traditional category. They started their cupcake business over a year ago, so they are fairly new in the cupcake scene. I'm glad that they are receiving the recognition they deserve for their yummy cupcakes.

SusieCakes Red Velvet

As much as I love SusieCakes, I have yet to try one of their red velvet cupcakes. Since they placed first in the Best Traidtional, I guess I better give the red velvet a try!

I'm so happy to see that some of my favorite cupcake bakery's received top honors at the competition. Congratulations to them! Keep baking great cupcakes and I will keep eating them!

Here Comes Easter!

Springtime Cupcakes

Peep Cupcakes

Bunny Cupcakes

Nest & Egg Cupcakes

Spring Chickens

Easter Cupcakes

Coconut Nest Cupcakes

Chick Cupcake