valentine's day Berkeley Repertory Theater sells cupcakes and somehow I missed them!

One of the best things about being a cupcake blogger is that you start to notice that cupcakes are everywhere, not just at bakeries. They're at the movies and at theaters. One of the worst things is when you find out too late that you've missed a cupcake opportunity. I skipped the concession stand when I was at Berkeley Repertory Theater recently, and therefore apparently missed out on the cupcakes they sell. From their blog, in a post called "Confessions of a concessionaire: a delicious dilemma" by Kate Vangeloff, in which she opines on the cupcake options provided by local bakery Love at First Bite (which I have been to):

We received a new shipment of cupcakes in which there were two, yes, two cupcakes that would have fulfilled my own personal visual requirements to earn a “Cookies & Cream” flavor designation. This new development shocked me, as I was unable to identify the new cupcake as anything other than “Cookies & Cream: Version 2.0.” Being inquisitive by nature, I did some internet sleuthing, and I am proud to announce that I have solved this cupcake mystery.

On the left of exhibit A, you will find the true Cookies & Cream cupcake, notably marked by its rakish, Oreo-crescent chapeau. On the right, you will find what Love at First Bite calls their “Mud Pie” cupcake—a devil’s food chocolate cupcake topped with whipped mocha frosting and Oreo crumbs.

Here’s to knowledgeable cupcake consumption for all!


photo via Berkeley Rep blog

It was my first visit, and I loved the design of the theater (I was there to see The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, which I highly recommend), so I will definitely be back, with my first stop being the concession stand!

valentine's day Extreme chocolate cupcake by extremecupcakes

This super chocolatey chocolate cupcake is by extremecupcakes on Flickr.

valentine's day VIDEO: Nichelle Making Cupcakes At The Brooklyn Kitchen

Last month, I spent a fun afternoon baking cupcakes at The Brooklyn Kitchen. Daniel Delaney, of Vendr.tv interviewed me and shot the video of me baking. I made chocolate cupcakes with peppermint buttercream frosting.  By the way, if you love attending food events in NYC, subscribe to Daniel's Eaters Digest.

valentine's day Cupcake resolutions and peppermint chocolate frosting at Butter Lane

I stopped by Butter Lane in the East Village (Manhattan) the other night. They were out of eggnog frosting, which I would've tried out of curiosity, but I bought a chocolate peppermint frosted chocolate cupcake (I was told to try it with chocolate) for $3 and was very happy. It wasn't quite as full-on peppermint as I might have liked (the frosting equivalent of, say, Starbucks' peppermint hot chocolate, which is very pepperminty), the peppermint seemed more concentrated in the crushed candy cane at the top, but it was very good, and also rich.

I couldn't finish it - that's actually a compliment! See butterlane.com and follow them @butterlane on Twitter for the latest news and info on their cupcake classes. I did appreciate their cupcake resolution sign. Still trying to work on my 2010 cupcake recap before I get to my 2011 cupcake resolutions!

valentine's day Chocolate candy cane cupcake plus recipe link

This chocolate candy cane cupcake is by blogger All Betz Off, where you can get the recipe too. She writes about some of her frosting woes and then concludes:

If you do attempt to make these cupcakes I would suggest sticking them in the freezer for a bit before you frost them to give the top layer of cake a chance to harden up. I should have done this but didn't have time. Also, you can either make the cupcakes from scratch or you can do the abbreviated version from a box.

valentine's day Happy National Cupcake Day!

Yes, today, December 15th, is officially National Cupcake Day in the United States (November 10th is National Vanilla Cupcake Day). How will you celebrate?

Flour & Sun Bakery in Pleasantville, New York, is offering up this brand-new hot chocolate cupcake, made with "Cocoa cake with toasted marshmallows topped with hot chocolate frosting & powdered sugar:"



And, just for fun, here's their peppermint cupcake, both photos via their Flickr account. Visit them at www.flourandsunbakery.com for daily flavors and specials. You can also join their email list and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

valentine's day Reindeer, snowman and other holiday cupcakes from Dollop

These fun holiday cupcakes (and how can cupcakes using pretzels not be fun??) are by Dollop Gourmet in Rochester, New York. They can be reached at info at dollopgourmet.com and also on Facebook and @dollopgourmet on Twitter. They are $3.75 each.









The Gingerbread wreaths are gingerbread cake.

The reindeer are double chocolate with pretzel antlers.

The snowflakes are sugar cookie flavored.

The marshmallow snowmen are marshmallow flavored with fluff.

Peppermint chocolate pointsettia cupcakes

And the Christmas trees are eggnog flavored.

valentine's day Harry Potter scar, Quidditch, broomstick and wand cupcakes

Oh Crumbs! in the UK made these custom Harry Potter cupcakes for a 21st birthday. They can be reached at hello at ohcrumbscupcakes.co.uk or 07539449832. Via Flickr. You can also find them on Facebook.



We baked a batch of Double Chocolate and Vanilla & Strawberry cupcakes and topped them all with swirls of Chocolate and bright red Vanilla buttercream.

She told us that her friend really liked Harry Potter and fairies! With this in mind we hand made a “Nimbus 3000″ broomstick, a wand, Harry Potter glasses, Harry Potter lightning scar, a Quidditch ball (Golden Snitch) and a fairy wand and topped the other cakes with icing 21s, hearts and stars.

valentine's day Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes with hidden dulce de leche and chile kissed cream!

Blogger Cheeky Kitchen made these Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes and has the recipe! To be precise, they are "Mexican Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Hidden Dulce de Leche & Chile Kissed Cream."



And a peek at what's inside:

valentine's day Hannukah, Christmas and red velvet valentine's day cupcakes in stores and by mail order at SAS Cupcakes

SAS Cupcakes, with locations in Newark, Delaware and Charlotte, North Carolina, and a mail order cupcake business, is selling holiday cupcakes, including Hannukah cupcakes, Christmas cupcakes, and, for those who plan ahead, a set of a dozen red velvet cupcakes for valentine's day (or any time!). Each store has its own Facebook page: Newark and Charlotte. Visit www.sascupcakes.com for more information.


Hannukah cupcakes with cupcake flags


Christmas cupcakes

Here's what's in this one (1 dozen for $49.95):

Two chocolate cupcakes topped with Peppermint Schnapps buttercream
Two Eggnog cupcakes topped with Vanilla Rum buttercream
Two Gingerbread cupcakes topped cream cheese frosting
Buttery vanilla cupcakes topped with sweet vanilla buttercream and chocolate buttercream
Rich chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate buttercream and vanilla buttercream
Decadent Triple chocolate cupcake filled and topped with dark chocolate ganache
Red Velvet cupcake topped with tangy cream cheese frosting

valentine's day Steampunk vegan chocolate cupcakes with top hats, goggles, gears and Tootsie Roll modeling chocolate

Blogger Bakingdom made steampunk cupcakes with a top hat and goggles (!) for the holidays, using a vegan chocolate cupcake recipe and Tootsie Roll modeling chocolate. Visit Bakingdom for step-by-step instructions. Photos via Flickr.



From Bakingdom, which you really should check out to see these cupcakes in all their glory, and learn about the detail that went into making them:

I know it probably made sense to do something holiday themed, but I decided to make steampunk themed cupcakes, because...well...I wanted to! I love steampunk stuff, and there really aren't a whole lot of steampunk themed cupcakes out there, but also because the brown color wouldn't be much of a hindrance with them. I kept things relatively simple with just an adorable top hat and goggles, accented with little golden gears. Is it wrong of me to say that I freaking love how they turned out?! Seriously, I just think they're so cute! Plus, they were shockingly fast, once I figured out just what I wanted to do!

By the way, those perfectly steampunked cupcake cups came from (where else?) Bake It Pretty! I was a little worried at first that they would be too tough to get the cupcakes out of, but they peeled away beautifully (and in one piece)! Plus, you don't need a muffin pan to use them! Just space them evenly on a rimmed baking sheet, fill them with two tablespoons of your favorite cupcake or muffin batter, and bake normally! Aren't they the cutest?!

valentine's day Cupcake review: Au Bon Pain French vanilla, double chocolate and red velvet cupcakes

Last week we told you about the new limited edition cupcakes for sale at the restaurant chain Au Bon Pain, and I can now report on how they taste! You can see more photos in my Flickr set.





I was impressed with all of these cupcakes because not only were they tender and moist, they tasted like what they were supposed to. I can't tell you how many times I've had "vanilla" or "chocolate" cupcakes where all the flavor was in the frosting. That's too much work for frosting. These cupcakes were all delicious and flavorful and very rich; I couldn't finish them, but they're great for sharing.

I think the chocolate would be my favorite of the three; it's rich and dense but not overly sweet, which is something that can easily turn me off from a cupcake. I like the presentation of the cupcakes, too, with chocolate shavings atop the chocolate and red velvet, and little white chocolate chips (I think that's what they are) on top of the French vanilla cupcakes.





I'm not sure how limited "limited time" means, but look for them at Au Bon Pain.




red velvet cupcakes, which have the most calories at 400 each (350 calories for double chocolate cupcake, 320 calories for French vanilla).

valentine's day Glittery chocolate flower cupcakes and fun designs

These cupcakes are by the UK's The Crazy Cupcake Company via their Flickr account.