Celebrate Memorial Day with Cupcake Flag

Last Memorial Day my husband and I were riding our bikes across Italy. On this particular day we came across the Florence American Memorial Cemetery for World War II. It was a humbling experience, as we took the time to remember the fallen soldiers that helped us maintain our freedoms.

Memorial Day has always been a fun day -- BBQs, no work, swimming, etc. But this year, I am going to pause to remember how lucky I am to live in this wonderful country. Of course, I will still enjoy my BBQs and swimming because that's why those soldiers fought for our country -- so that we can be happy and live how we want.

Photo

Cookies and cups has a great cupcake cake design for Memorial Day. The Cupcake Flag is made from 40 cupcakes and thick, homemade buttercream frosting. You can find instructions and more photos on cookies and cups blog.

Happy Memorial Day!

OC Cupcake Classic

Two days ago I introduced the deep-fried Klondike bar, a food item that I'm looking forward to trying at the OC Fair this summer.



Something else that's new at the OC Fair this year is the OC Cupcake Classic. It's a cupcake competition that is open to everyone! There are three categories:

1. Professional Baker
2. Amateur Baker
3. Youth 9-18

The event will take place on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 1:00pm. Bakers can submit two entries, with six cupcakes needed for each entry. Cupcakes will be judged on taste, originality, and creativity. Entries must be received by August 11, 2010. You can find all info about the OC Cupcake Classic here (page 18) and submit your entry here.

Now here's the exciting part: I'm going to be a judge! That's right, I've been asked to be a judge to find Orange County's best cupcakes. If you are a cupcake baker or know someone who bakes great cupcakes, make sure they enter.

To find out more info about the OC Fair, go here: www.ocfair.com and @ocfair

Local Orange County Cupcakery to be Contestant on Cupcake Wars!

My very own local cupcakery, The Perfect Circle, will be competing on this season of Food Network's "Cupcake Wars!" Several months ago Alyssa, the owner of TPC, hinted that something big would be happening. I predicted that this was what she was hinting about and I was right!

The Fast Food Maven reports that this season of Cupcake Wars will begin on June 15 with two bakers from Southern California -- Dollhouse Bakeshop Shoppe in Santa Monica and Milk in Los Angeles. The contestants are competing for $10,000 and a chance to show their cupcakes at a high-profile event. Each show will have a winner.

Alyssa Magliato will be on the June 29th show and will compete against The Coffee Shop of Gilbert, AZ, Cupcake Charlies of Mashpee, MA, and Sweet E's Bake Shop of Los Angeles.

Many of the cupcake shops and bakers may look familiar to you because I've reviewed their shops. Check out the episode guide below:

June 15 9:00pm ET/PT (Season Premiere) "SeaWorld Birthday Bash"

Dollhouse Bake Shoppe (Santa Monica, CA)

Milk (Los Angeles, CA) - I have been here yet, but I've been dying to go!

Daddy Cakes (Topeka, KS)

Sweet Bakery & Cafe (Ellicot City, MD)


June 22 at 10:00pm ET/PT "Match Making Party"

Chef Chloe (Los Angeles, CA)

Crushcakes Cupcakery (Santa Barbara, CA) - I just reviewed their shop last month.

Cupcake Nouveau (Coral Gables, FL)

Cups (La Jolla, CA)


June 29th, 10:00pm ET/PT "Ace of Cakes 100th Episode Celebration"

The Coffee Shop (Gilbert, AZ)

Cupcake Charlies (Mashpee, MA)

The Perfect Circle Cupcakery - Obviously I know this place very well.

Sweet E's Bake Shop (Los Angeles, CA) - Tried their cupcakes at LA Cupcake Challenge. They were also on the pilot episode of Cupcake Wars.


July 6th, 10:00pm ET/PT "Survival of the Fittest"

Lulu's Cupcakes (Scotsdale, AZ) - Their website says they are closed. Hmmm...

Whodidly Cupcakes (Santa Barbara, CA) - Not sure how I missed them on my trip to Santa Barbara last month. They were also on the pilot episode of Cupcake Wars.

Cupcakes & Co (Burbank, CA)

Smallcakes (Overland Park, KS)


July 13th, 10:00pm ET/PT "George and Ann Lopez Charity Golf Tournament"

Sweet! (Orlando, FL)

Sugar Cupcakery (Milford, OH) - Not yet open

Southern Girls Desserts (Los Angeles, CA) - Tried their red velvet cupcakes at LA Cupcake Challenge a few months ago.

Becker's Bakery (Manhattan Beach, CA) - They are close to my husband's work. Maybe I should have him stop by sometime soon!


July 20th, 10:00pm ET/PT "Cupcakes for a Cause"

Suite 106 Cupcakery (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

Kara's Cupcakes (San Francisco, CA) - Yum! I loved eating their cupcakes during my visit to San Francisco last year!

Ivey Cake (Franklin, TN)

For Heavens Cakes (Thousand Oaks, CA)



July 27th, 10:00 pm ET/PT "Film Festival Face-Off"

Sweet Arleen's (Westlake Village, CA)

Red Velvet Stefanie (Los Angeles, CA)

Bee Sweet Bakery Cupcakes (New Orleans, LA)

Mr. Cupcakes (Clifton, NJ)


August 3rd, 10:00pn ET/PT "Classic Cupcake Challenge"

Molly's Cupcakes (Chicago, IL)

La Provence Patisserie Cafe (Beverly Hills, CA)

Cupcakes (Scotsdale, AZ)

Jazzy Cakes (Sherman Oaks, CA)


More info about the show will be available on May 27 at www.foodnetwork.com/cupcakewars. I can't wait to watch!

Info from: The Futon Critic and Fast Food Maven

What Would You do for a (Fried) Klondike Bar?

I absolutely LOVE the Orange County Fair!! It's the one time a year where I allow myself to eat lots and lots of fried food and not feel guilty. Two years ago I tried a deep-fried cupcake. Last year I enjoyed a fried avocado, along with lots of other fried food and a normal cupcake. So what's going to be new on the menu this year? Food Frenzy has the inside scoop.

Chicken Charlie's is the best stand for finding fried food at the OC Fair. They will fry practically anything. I like that attitude. Niyaz Pirani of Food Frenzy met with the owner of Chicken Charlie's to see what new items will be taking a trip into a deep fryer this year.




The food item I'm most excited about is the deep-fried Klondike bar! My first thought is probably the same as most of you, how can you deep-fry an ice cream bar? Answer: you freeze it at a very cold temperature (-25 degrees) and then eat it very fast. Sounds delicious!

Photo: Food Frenzy

The deep-fried Klondike bar is not the only new item you might find at Chicken Charlie's. He's also been experimenting with deep-fried Reese's, deep-fried M&Ms, and deep-fried blackberries. I can't wait...see you at the fair!

Cut-out Heart Cupcakes

Turn your average red velvet cupcakes into cute heart cupcakes.

Photo: justJENN

I love this idea from justJENN recipes! She overfilled her cupcakes so that they fluffed out over the top. She cut off the top and used a heart-shaped cookie cutter to punch out a heart. Next, she frosted the cupcake (without the top), and then replaced the top.

Photo: justJENN

Found through CTTC

Couture Cupcakes in Anaheim Hills

I've been waiting and waiting for a cupcake shop to come to North Orange County. A few months ago I heard rumors of future cupcakes in Anaheim Hills. I patiently waited, but hadn't heard anything until yesterday. Reader Jojo informed me that Couture Cupcakes in Anaheim Hills is open!

After doing a little research, found that Couture Cupcakes in located inside Swirl, a froyo shop at the corner of Santa Ana Canyon Road and Fairmont Blvd.

Photo: Yelp

The first review listed on Yelp shares some inside info about the new cupcakes. Craig R says:

Swirls cupcakes are called Couture Cupcakes, and they have a nice variety of flavors. They have Red Velvet, Carrot, Lemon Drop, Vanilla, Chocolate, Lemon Drop, Chocolate Peanut Butter and my all time favorite, Peanut Butter and Jelly (plus more). So far I have tried the Carrot, Red Velvet, Chocolate PB and The PB&J. The first three were decent, not the best CC's in the world but defiantly not the worst. Their cream cheese frosting was not as thick as I like and the cake itself was not very moist. Their PB&J was a winner in my book though. Even though the three times I have had it the cake was not all that moist, I really liked how the inside of the cake is loaded with grape jelly. Most PB&J cupcakes contain strawberry jelly, so I appreciated that they went in another direction. The PB frosting was good too and also topped with crushed peanuts. They also offer all their flavors in mini sizes.

As far as the CC's go, they are about $2.75 a piece, which is the standard, but their minis are only a buck a piece, which is a steal.

Photo: Yelp

Even though I'm not expecting the best cupcakes ever, I still want to give these cupcakes a shot. Plus, I'm always up for good froyo.

Swirl & Couture Cupcakes
6312 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
714-283-3892
M-T 11:00am-10:00pm
F-Sat 11:00am-11:00pm

Dipped Cupcakes at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Stopped by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory the other day to grab a caramel apple (Tiger Butter is the best!) and spotted these Dipped Cupcakes. Although I think the Dipped Cupcakes look more like Ding Dongs, so I'm not sure which is which. Either way, not very appealing to me. Dipping a cupcake is like hiding the taste. Isn't that why chocolate-covered grasshoppers exist? You certainly wouldn't eat a grasshopper any other way.

But I could be completely wrong. Rocky Mountain does have lots of delicious treats. Next time.

Nutrition Facts for Sprinkles Cupcakes

WARNING: If you love Sprinkles Cupcakes and want to continue eating them, don't read any further.

Today at lunch (as I was craving a cupcake), I began thinking about the nutrition facts of a cupcake. I had never seen any nor did I really want to. Curiosity got the best of me and I started researching. Since Sprinkles Cupcakes are some of the most well-known cupcakes, I figured they would be a good starting point.

The information wasn't hard to find and interestingly I found it on livestrong.com (via thedailyplate.com). Funny that they listed two of my favorite Sprinkles cupcakes:




Sprinkles Pumpkin Cupcake w/o frosting
Calories: 272
Total Fat: 8.75g (Sat Fat: 0)
Sodium: 0
Carbs: 34g
Protein: 0

But who eats a cupcake with frosting? Add Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 5.5g (Sat Fat: 0)
Sodium: 0
Carbs: 19g
Protein: 0

Add those together and you have the nutrition facts for the Pumpkin Cupcake sold at Sprinkles. Let's do another:




Red Velvet Cupcake w/o frosting
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 1g (Sat Fat: 0)
Sodium: 240mg
Carbs: 29g
Protein: 3g

Not bad...for a cupcake with no frosting. Get ready for this.

Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting
Calories: 497
Total Fat: 26.8g (Sat Fat: 16g)
Sodium: 412mg
Carbs: 61.5g
Protein: 6g

Whoa! I think I was in denial that cupcakes can be so bad for you! The funny part about this website is that it lists activities you can do to burn off all of these calories. If you eat this Red Velvet cupcake, you can croquet for 182 minutes or do bookbinding for 198 minutes.

Keep in mind that Sprinkles Cupcakes are HUGE and that you can cut out a lot of fat and calories by scraping off half of the frosting. This won't stop me from enjoying a delicious cupcake from Sprinkles.

Featured: Cupkates

I've enjoyed featuring cupcake shops that I'd like to visit, except for the fact that I really want to visit them and some of them are far away. Add this one to the list.

You've probably noticed that I've been writing more about cupcake trucks (or mobile cupcakeries). They seem to be gaining a lot of popularity, as are other food trucks. So today I'm featuring a cupcake truck: Cupkates.

Photo

I love the name....so cute! Cupkates is a mobile cupcakery that services the Bay Area. They use only high quality and local ingredients and their cupcakes are baked fresh daily.

Photo

Their website says that they "opt for a simple aesthstic that forgoes gimmicks (no bacon chocolate cupcakes here) in exchange for craft, quality ingredients, and exceptional taste." Because of their simple-makes-better approach, their menu has only eight flavors, but they all sound delicious. Sign me up for the Strawberry Swirl!

Photo

Most of Cupkates cupcakes sell for $3.00, although two are $2.75. I wish this cupcake truck was roaming my neighborhood! If you live in the Bay Area, you can find their location on twitter (@Cupkates Truck).

Cuteness Made Easy

I'll be the first to admit it...sometimes I use a box mix to bake cupcakes. Ok, now the rest of you can admit it too. It's not a bad thing, especially when you add your own personal touch to the cupcakes. Cookies and Cups posted a few tips for turning box cupcakes into fabulous cupcakes!

1. Make your own icing.

2. Sprinkles

3. White candy melts + foodwriter

Check out the full post here.

Eco-Cupcake Stand WINNER

Thanks to all of you who entered to win the giveaway for an Eco-Cupcake Stand. This is such a useful item, so of course everyone would want one! And the winner is...

Hailayyy!

Congrats Hailayyy! Talk about a great way to start the week! And of course I have to give a HUGE "thank you" to GreenPartyGoods.com for sponsoring the giveaway!!

Review: Torrance Bakery

I was waiting until it was official before announcing....we are officially dog owners! Pumpkin came into our lives two months ago. We started out as foster parents for the Southern California Vizsla Rescue group, but we fell in love with Pumpkin right away. We finally adopted her and we celebrated with a trip to a bakery for cupcakes!




This bakery is not in an area I travel to often, but it is near my husband's new job. After reading the great reviews on Yelp, I knew I needed to stop by. Torrance Bakery is located in downtown Torrance and is quite the hot spot. Upon arrival, found the store was packed with people! You had to take a number to be served. Obviously, this was the place to be. One thing to point out, Torrance Bakery wasn't just a bakery. There were adjoining rooms for a cafe, wedding cake consultations, and classes. This place was huge!




I couldn't believe how many sweets there were! There had to have been 6-8 cases just like this one (pictured below) filled to the brim with all kinds of sugary treats.




Of course I had to get some cupcakes. I wasn't expecting much from them since bakeries that don't specialize in cupcakes usually don't have great cupcakes. But I was pleasantly surprised.

I tried the Red Velvet and the Vanilla Chocolate. The thing I liked most about the Red Velvet was the frosting--it had just the right amount of tangyness, which is perfect because sometimes cream cheese frosting is just too sweet. The Vanilla Chocolate had this thick, fudgy frosting which my husband and I just loved!




I couldn't walk out without trying the item that Yelp reviewers raved the most about: chewy chocolate chip cookies. Turns out they were right! I LOVED these cookies! The outside had a hard shell, but the inside was soft and chewy. Yum! I wish I had one right now!

We also tried the chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodle cookies. Both of them were great! The only improvement I would suggest is more chocolate chips in the chocolate chip cookie.

My husband and I both agreed that all three of these cookies were perfect! In my mind, they tasted exactly how I wanted them to.




Not counting the milk, how much damage do you think these goodies made to my wallet? I couldn't believe my ears when the cashier told me....$5.75! Yes, $5.75 for two cupcakes and six cookies! I know, it's hard to believe. The cupcakes were $1.25 and $1.50 and the cookies are priced by the pound ($7.50/lb). Can't beat those prices!

I got a chance to talk with the owner, Kirk. He told me that most of their business is cakes. They sell 300 cakes just on Saturday alone! That's a lot of cakes!

Whether you're craving a cupcake, cookie, pie, cake, or just something sweet, you'll find exactly what you want at Torrance Bakery.

Torrance Bakery
1341 El Prado Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
310-320-2722
Twitter: @TorranceBakery
Facebook: Torrance Bakery

Last Chance

Don't miss out on your chance to win an Eco-Cupcake Stand! Giveaway ends tomorrow night (Sunday) at 11:59 PST. Good luck!

OC's First Mobile Cupcakery

A few days ago I reported on Morsels Baking Company, a dessert/cupcake truck that will begin service in Orange and LA county in June. Well, what do you know?! Yesterday I found out that Oh For Sweets Sake will begin service this Saturday as Orange County's first mobile cupcakery!



I've actually never tried a cupcake from a cupcake truck yet, so I'm super excited to (hopefully) catch Oh For Sweets Sake on their first day of service! Their website lists lots of flavors such as Almond Joys, Key Lime, and Build Me Up Buttercake.

I'll keep you posted on their planned location(s) on Saturday. You can also find out more info on them here:

Twitter: @ohforsweetssake
Facebook: Oh For Sweets Sake

UPDATE: Oh For Sweets Sake will be at Santiago Art Walk in Santa Ana from 7-10pm Saturday night. Hope to see you there!

Fruit Pizza Cupcake

Photo

One of my family's favorite desserts is fruit pizza. You roll out cookie dough on a pizza pan. Bake it. Spread vanilla pudding as the sauce. Top with your favorite fruit.

Utah Loves Cupcakes directed me to a blog called Cravings, which featured a Fruit Pizza Cupcake. Similar idea. The cake is a fruit cake (not sure what kind, but any should do well). Spread some pudding or frosting. Add a sugar cookie, along with more pudding or frosting. Top with your favorite fruit. Yum! Thanks for the idea!

Don't miss your chance to enter to win an Eco-Cupcake Stand. Last day to enter is Sunday!

New Cupcake/Dessert Truck to Debut in Orange County

Last month I confessed my love for food trucks and wished for a cupcake truck to come to Orange County. Maybe my wish is coming true. The Fast Food Maven is reporting that Morsels Baking Company will be cruising around Orange and LA county starting in June.

This was the first I've heard about Morsels Baking Company. Apparently they are a dessert company and their menu includes: breakfast, cream puffs, cupcakes, desserts shots, bars & squares, and beverages.

I'm intrigued. You can follow them on twitter (@bakerytruck) or catch them on Facebook. I'll let you know when I first spot them in Orange County.


P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for an Eco-Cupcake Stand. Entries must be received by Sunday.

Photos

Raspberry White Chocolate Scones

Photo: Life Frosted

It's always fun to look at recipes for delicious foods other than cupcakes. Check out these raspberry white chocolate scones. The recipe was posted on Life Frosted, and is adapted from Everyday Food magazine. Yum!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an Eco-Cupcake Stand!

Giveaway: Eco-Cupcake Stand

Spring is here! We've been having some beautiful weather here in southern California and I love being able to do my training outdoors. With spring in full motion and summer just around the corner, wedding season is in strong force. And since cupcakes are the the most exciting new trend at weddings, what better item to have a giveaway for than a cupcake stand!

Photo

Introducing: the Eco-Cupcake Stand! "With the Eco-Cupcake Stand, we have produced a reusable (double sided polished wipeable surface), recyclable cupcake stand made of pristine, recycled sturdy corrugated cardboard. It is lightweight, and easy to assemble and store."

"The Eco-Cupcake Stand comes in square and round and form a perfect design platform to extend the theme of any wedding or other celebration....[The Eco-Cupcake Stand] can display up to 200 cupcakes for the round design and up to 125 cupcakes for the square design."

The Eco-Cupcake Stand has 5 tiers and is 20" tall. The stand is sold by Greenpartygoods.com, a website that features an array of guilt-free, eco-friendly gifts and tableware.




Like what you see? Want to win an Eco-Cupcake Stand? Today's your lucky day...well, actually Sunday might be your lucky day. I'm giving away a square or round (your choice) Eco-Cupcake Stand! How can you win one? Just leave a comment telling me your favorite summertime cupcake flavor.

Rules:
1. Contest opens Monday, May 10, 2010 at 6:00am PST and closes Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 11:59 PST.
2. Contest open to US residents only.
3. One entry per person per day.
4. Two extra entries given for Tweeting about the giveaway. (Leave a comment telling me about it.)

Good luck!

Review: Crushcakes

A few weeks ago I was in the middle of tax season and overloaded with stress. April 16th was my first day of freedom! I took advantage of the end of tax season by going on a weekend getaway with my husband to Santa Barbara. The weather was perfect! We had a great time relaxing, riding bikes, and running along the beach. Of course, what is a getaway without some cupcakes?!

A little bit of research led me to Crushcakes Cupcakery, a cute cupcake shop near downtown Santa Barbara.

The shop had a small area for waiting to order cupcakes. It had a very homey feel, a good thing since cupcakes are a comfort food. The small area was a bit of a problem because you couldn't see the cupcakes until it was your turn to order. This didn't bother me because I always ask a million questions about each cupcake before I pick anyways.




I couldn't leave without buying their signature cupcake -- the Crushcake: red velvet cupcake topped with chocolate heart dipped into signature sour cream frosting.




Of course I am smiling in this photo, I am about to eat some yummy cupcakes (although I didn't know they were yummy yet)!




Check out the view from our hotel room....amazing! We stayed at the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort. I don't know that I've ever stayed in a room that nice before. (And the best part?...the chocolate chip cookies they greeted us with at check-in!)




My husband and I devoured three flavors: Peanut Butter Cup (chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting), Crushcake (I already mentioned that), and Buttermilk Crumb Cake (buttermilk cinnamon swirl cake with brown sugar cinnamon frosting).

The first things I always look at are the size and proportions. They were good-sized cupcakes, not too overwhelming and the frosting was well-proportioned to the cake. The second thing I check is the cake moistness. Good, although after tasting the cupcakes, we left the remainders in our hotel room for an after-dinner snack and they were semi-dry when we returned. Next, frosting thickness and taste. The frosting was thick and creamy, exactly how I love it. The sour cream frosting could have been a little bit more tart. Last, overall taste---yum! All three flavors were great. I loved the flavor combination of the Buttermilk Crumb Cake, a unique flavor that I hadn't tried before. Reminded me of the cinnamon bundt cake my mom used to make. The other two flavors were pretty standard.




As I was leaving the store, the owner told me that the Coconut Cloud was their best flavor. Since I already paid for my cupcakes and I was in a hurry, I didn't get a chance to try. But if it's recommended by the owner, then you shouldn't pass it up like I did. I was so happy to find a cupcake shop in Santa Barbara that served good cupcakes. On your next trip to or through Santa Barbara, you should definitely stop by.

Crushcakes
1315 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-963-9353
Open 7 days/week 9am-6pm
Twitter: @crushcakes
Facebook: crushcakes

Crumbs Bake Shop Introduces The Colossal Crumb

Photo: Crumbs

Crumbs Bake Shop has come out with a new size of cupcake--The Colossal Crumb. According to their website, The Colossal Crumb is 6-1/2" tall and 6" wide. It serves 6-8 people and comes in 13 different flavors. It is also known as as cake. Oh wait...that's my joke.

On a side note, Crumbs' Cupcake of the Month is Cosmo: vanilla cake tinted pink filled with strawberry buttercream topped with lime cream cheese frosting edged in pink sugar. Lime cream cheese sounds really refreshing.

Photo: Crumbs

Shipping Cupcakes by Yummy Cupcakes

Rachel from Cupcakes Takes the Cake was recently in LA. Of course she stopped by a few cupcake shops, one of them being Yummy Cupcakes in Santa Monica. She posted pictures of her cupcakes, but also included pictures of cupcakes in a jar. I was intrigued by the cupcakes in a jar because I get so many people asking me about how to ship cupcakes.

Last year I wrote about Beantown Baker's idea of shipping cupcakes in small mason jars. I even tried it myself when I participated in Operation Baking Gals. But Yummy Cupcakes makes it better by taking it one step further: layering.

Looks like Yummy Cupcakes starts with a layer of frosting, then adds 1/3 cupcake cut horizontal, then more frosting, then 1/3 cupcake, then more frosting, then the remainder of the cupcake, then a bit more frosting. They also use large mason jars, instead of small ones, which allows room for more cupcake! And because the cupcake is dissected, it doesn't really matter that the cupcake doesn't look beautiful....the stacking of the cupcake and frosting give the cupcake a unique look. Like this!

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

To get more info about ordering cupcakes from Yummy Cupcakes, check out their website.

SusieCakes' Mother's Day Treats

Let's face it. Although moms always say they don't want anything for Mother's Day, you know you can't get away without getting her something. How about a treat or two from SusieCakes? This month they are featuring treats in honor of moms by using peanut butter and jelly. Here's what they have to offer:

PB&J Cupcakes: jelly-swirled vanilla cupcake filled with a dollop of grape jelly and topped with peanut butter buttercream frosting. Yum!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Pie: creamy peanut butter filling in chocolate ganache layered graham crust, topped with fresh whipped cream and salted peanuts

Jam Bars: shortbread crust with raspberry preserves and crumble topping

Peanut Butter Pops: peanut butter buttercream dipped in dark chocolate and colored non-perils

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake: graham crack crust and sour cream topping

Susie's Nutty Cookies: peanut butter buttercream sandwiched between two peanut butter cookies

Razzleberry Pie: strawberries, cherries, and raspberries baked inside flaky crust

Heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake: inscribed with Happy Mother's Day

Another New Cupcake Shop in South Orange County

South Orange County must really love cupcakes because that's where all of the new cupcake shops are opening. How about some cupcake love for North Orange County where there are exactly zero cupcakeries? Oh well, I'll take what I can get.

According to the Orange County Register, Sugar Blossom Bake Shop has opened in San Clemente. The owner is Lei Shishak, a former executive pastry chef at St. Regis Monarch Beach. According to Sugar Blossom Bake Shop's website, Lei will be "specializing in cupcakes, cookies, and yummy macademia cinnamon rolls."

I like that she will be selling more than just cupcakes. Sometimes I crave chocolate chip cookies along with my cupcakes. Can't wait to try these treats!

Sugar Blossom Bake Shop
204 Avenida del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672