Banana Caramel Cupcake

The Bagel Bakery up the street from me also is getting into making cupcakes. Michelle, the owner, and I have been sharing cupcake ideas - and she also is selling my lollicakes! She makes a banana caramel cupcake that is soooooo moist that I just had to try to create my own. The trick is using caramel sauce in place of the water...which gets me thinking what other cupcakes could I create using the same process - strawberry sauce? raspberry sauce? chocolate sauce? Hmmmmmm...why do my jeans suddenly feel tighter???

What - Cupcake Wine???

Today I discovered an item that every Cupcake Diva should have in her bar...Cupcake wine bottled by Cupcake Vineyard out of California.

I happened to be in the liquor store with my husband and what did I spot but a GIANT cupcake!!! I, of course, had to go and see what this was all about, and there before me was a display of wine bottles labeled Cupcake. The Vineyard produces four wines - Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Their ad slogan states what we would all like out of life - "Live Deliciously!"

The rep for the line was in the store, and I suggested to him that if he was going to do a tasting that he might want to pair it up with something "cupcake" and that I made lollicakes. I showed him pictures of my work (always have that camera with me) and he liked the idea. Maybe I can get paid in wine even though I am not the wine drinker in the family (that title would go to my husband) but I do plan on having this wine proudly displayed in the wine rack next to my Cakespy pictures. I may let my husband uncork a bottle to ensure that this vineyard is carrying on the tradition of excellence by using the name "Cupcake!"

They are "Magically Delicious" Irish Lollicakes!

Think outside the box...and that is just what I did! I decided that Lucky Charms Lollicakes sounded pretty good - I mean they are, afterall, magically delicious . So I created some for Saint Patrick's Day... and they would make my sainted mother smile. Then I decided to use my box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies to create a mint flavored Lollicake...and himself even gave a thumbs up for them! Being Irish, I will pass on this little Irish proverb to you in honor of our great holiday on March 17th:

May your baking bring you happiness.
May your cupcakes bring delight.
May the calories be hidden
and kept well out of sight!

The Fine Art of Eating a Lollicake!

Being One is Just WONDERFUL!

Hi Cupcake Lovers
Who knew that the Rites of Passage would be this delicious! This turning one thing has been great...I have been initiated into "cupcake tasting" by Mommy, Aunt Kiki and Grammy. This is where we go to a cupcake shop and order many flavors of cupcakes and then pass them around to see which ones we like best. We went to Tees & Cakes up in Boulder, and I liked the Strawberry Milkshake cupcake the best. I can't wait to visit another cupcake shop soon. And then today, I finally got to actually eat a lollicake and YUM! After watching Grammy make these for the past year, it's about time I got my teeth into one...Yep, this getting older thing is truly proving to be a tasteful experience!
Love & Cupcake Kisses
Kailyn - Lollicake Taster in Training

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Kailyn celebrated her first birthday on New Year's Eve with her very first giant-sized cupcake. She was unsure at first but then realized that the frosting and sprinkles were yummy!!! She was a little unhappy with Uncle David because he ate the cherry on top. Now that she has had her first cupcake taste - Kailyn wants to know when she can have her first Lollicake...Mom???

The Shoppe - Denver, Colorado

I like cupcakes - ok, I LOVE cupcakes! When I travel, I make sure I go to at least two cupcake bakeries as part of my itinerary. I do internet searches to see what bakeries I want to visit. So far I have had cupcakes from Magnolia, ButterCup, Kumquat, Happy Cakes, Sprinkles, Crumbs, Lovely Confections, Yum Yum's and The Shoppe...and I know I am missing a few in there. I am not a food critic - I just know what I like in a cupcake. My expectations are simple...the cupcake must be moist and the frosting not too sticky sweet. Presentation of the cupcake is also important. And, of course, I can't help comparing them to what I bake at home (which get rave reviews from their consumers!). So...I have to rate The Shoppe in Denver as the BEST cupcake I have eaten outside of my own home. Emma's cupcakes are moist and her peanut butter frosting is to die for...Denverites, if you haven't visited The Shoppe - you must put it on your agenda. It is fun and funky as their menu consists of cereal (yes, cereal) served in big bowls. You can mix and match your cereal flavors, and they have toppings you can order for your cereal. They have a good coffee/expresso bar so you can get your coffee fix. The Shoppe also has a Design Goods Area that features books, jewelry, novelties, etc. And then there are the cupcakes...yummmmm -the cupcakes!!! You can check them out at theshoppedenver.com. They are located on Colfax and St. Paul...you will not be disappointed! The ones pictured are eggnog, banana split, peppermint, pumpkin and cranberry. My daughter, Kristin (have I raised her right, or what?), brought these home for me after I had to fast for 48 whole hours...it's amazing how you feel starved when you are told you CAN'T eat - whereas, if I chose to not eat for 48 hours - I probably would be fine! Thank you, Kristin, for enabling your mother's cupcake addiction!