Even Batman Eats Cupcakes

Sprinkles isn't open 24 hours, so when Batman needs a cupcake fix...thank goodness for the cupcake ATM.

(Speaking of Batman, what do you think of Ben Affleck being cast as the new Batman?)

Grasshopper Cookies from Your Cup of Cake

Photo

I love myself a good grasshopper cookie. Mint and chocolate, mmmmmm.

You Cup of Cake posted a delicious-looking recipe for the Ultimate Grasshopper Cookies. What makes these extra special? Maybe the chocolate glaze or maybe the crumbled Andes mints on top? You decide. 

This recipe could easily translate to cupcakes too. Just substitute with your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.

Cupcake or Not?

The Aquarium wasn't the only place I found cupcakes on my trip up the California coast. We stopped in a little town called Cambria. I found a bakery called Linn's Easy As Pie Cafe (review to come later). While waiting to get pie, I spotted these "Black Bottom Cupcakes." I'm not sure I would call these cupcakes, as they just looked like muffins with some chocolate glaze drizzled on top. What makes a cupcake a cupcake?

Review: Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe

I'm not all about cupcakes. I love lots of desserts! When my husband and I took a road trip up the coast of California earlier this month, we made sure we found the hidden gems to eat at in every town we stopped in. When we got to Cambria, all signs (not literal signs) were pointing to Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe. I can't pass up a good pie.

When I walked into Linn's Cafe I was surprised to see it was a sit-down restaurant. I was about to leave when a waitress pointed me to the pie shop outside. Yes, the pies are that popular that they need a separate shop just for them.

I wandered out back and was lured in by the smell of fresh pie. Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe had lots of choices for pie, but only about 5 were available in individual slices. Since it was hard to choose, I had the cashier help me out. It's always a good idea to ask what the most popular item is. I walked out with a slice of apple and a slice of peach-blueberry.

Usually I don't go for the fruit pies, but I let the people make the decision. The crust was so flaky and melt-in-your-mouth. It was easily the best part of the pies. But that doesn't mean the rest of the pies weren't outstanding. I liked the combination of the peach and blueberry together. And the apple pie?....as American as it gets. The only thing that would have been better would have been Dutch apple pie (unfortunately, that was only available in whole-pie-form).

The other flavor that was a favorite was Olallieberry. I'm saving that one for next time. Linn's also serves other foods such as salads, comfort foods (chicken pot pie!), soups, and sandwiches. If only I hadn't eaten lunch, I would have ordered a chicken pot pie. Just another excuse to come back another time.

Pies go for $15-$18, with slices available for $4.25 each. You can view the menu HERE.

Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe

4251 Bridge St.

Cambria, CA 93428

Review: Olsen's Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop

Last month my husband, baby boy, and I took a trip up the California Coast. We didn't know where we were going, we just drove. It was such an adventure!

The first night we stopped in Solvang, a small Danish town north of Santa Barbara. The next morning we explored the town and of course I had to stop in a bakery for some "breakfast." The bakery of choice was Olsen's Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop. I didn't find out until later that they were featured on the Food Network show "Kid in a Candy Store."

I love bakeries! You get to have your pick of anything! Croissants, candy, chocolate, donuts, cookies, YUM! One thing I noticed was all the almonds. What's with Danish desserts and almonds?

After drooling on the display window for a few minutes, I finally made my selections: Danish waffle, chocolate covered almond lace cookie, and a loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread.

What's a Danish waffle? It's a light puff pastry filled with raspberry jam and buttercream. I had no idea what it was going to be, but it was love at first bite! It was so light and delicious, I wish I didn't have to share it with my husband.

We munched on the jalapeno cheddar loaf throughout the weekend. I loved the pockets of jalapenos and soft bread, still moist even after a few days.

Everything was so tasty! I loved the huge selection of goodies to choose from. The prices were decent and the quality was excellent. This is a must-do if you ever visit the quaint town of Solvang.

Olsen's Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop

1529 Mission Dr.

Solvang, CA 93463

Spotted: Cupcakes at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Recently my husband, baby boy, and I drove up the coast for a little weekend trip. One of the days we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Desmond LOVED looking at all of the fish. Since it was the middle of the day, we were suckered into eating the food there. Surprisingly, all of the food was natural and healthy. But of course I was drooling over the desserts. The vanilla cupcakes looked pretty good, but I didn't partake. It was nice to know that I could have eaten one if a craving came along.

Earn Your Calories

Am I the only one who burns their calories before they eat them?

Yes, I'm weird. I like to swim, bike, and/or run to earn my calories. I love this photo from the Strava instagram account. #earnyourcalories

One Last Royal Baby Post

I

I'm not a royal family buff, but I have loved seeing so many cupcake shops celebrate the birth of the royal baby with special cupcakes. People Magazine delivered this issue of the magazine, along with royal cupcakes from SusieCakes, to my husband. The flag cupcake was red velvet and the royal blue cupcake was vanilla. 

It's been awhile since I've eaten a cupcake from SusieCakes and I instantly remembered why they are one of my favorite shops. That frosting was sooooo wonderful! But the blue frosting?....well, let's just say my teeth were blue for a few hours :)

Good Use of Toblerone Bar

Photo

Toblerone AND cupcakes?!

Decorada, a cake shop in New Zealand, created these super cute pyramid cupcakes. Such a creative use of the Toblerone bar. (Thanks to CTTC for the heads-up)

Just curious, what's your favorite type of Toblerone bar? I'm a fan of the original Swiss milk chocolate bar. Yum!