My 100th Post

A little less than a year ago I started a blog about one of my favorite things on earth - cupcakes. Now I am already on my 100th post and have had people from all over the world visit my blog. 

For my 100th and final post this year, I thought I would let you know my top favorite cupcakes for 2011. I already narrowed down my absolute favorite cupcakeries (see side bar "My Favorite Cupcakes") but thought I would narrow it even further. I have tried SO many amazingly delicious cupcakes (at my favorite and other cupcakeries) that it was so hard to narrow it down to just five. (Quick note: Sprinkles Cupcakes Red Velvet would always make the list, but unfortunately I didn't get to visit a Sprinkles Cupcake this past year.) 

So, in no particular order, here are my top five favorite cupcakes for 2011: 

Coconut Mango 

From The Sweet Tooth Fairy

Coconut cake with coconut mango frosting topped with fresh shredded coconut

Lava Fudge

From Georgetown Cupcakes

Valrhona chocolate cupcake with a rich fudge core topped with a vanilla icing with a fudge star drizzle

Razzle Dazzle

From Kara's Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcake filled with a raspberry cream filling and topped with a sweet raspberry buttercream

Little Devil

From Dippidee

Chocolate cake filled with a sweet creamy filling topped with a rich chocolate buttercream frosting

Chocolate w/ Buttercream 

 From Cakes De Fleur

Moist chocolate cake with a rich creamy buttercream frosting

So, there you have it - my favorite cupcakes in 2011. I can't wait to see what flavors 2012 bring. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Pinterest Recipe Of The Week: Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

Sweet Potato Cupcakes w/ Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

What is more perfect for Thanksgiving than Sweet Potato Cupcakes? Break out your kitchen torches, puree some sweet potatoes, and get ready for some culinary fun. This delicious recipe comes from a website called Annie's Eats. She has a ton of recipes for appetizers, main dishes, breakfast, baby food, and much more. Check out Annie's Eats website, here, and find them on facebook, here.

I have to make this recipe for my husband because his #2 favorite cupcake is a sweet potato cupcake from The Sweet Tooth Fairy (a November flavor of the month).

The Night Shift Coffee Company

Red Velvet and Strawberry

If you live in Salt Lake City, UT, you are in for a real treat - The Night Shift Coffee Company located at 5171 Cottonwood St, Ste. 160 (on the Intermountain Medical Center campus) sells gourmet bite-sized cupcakes. They are only $1.00 and they are so decadent, moist, and delicious. You can literally eat them in one to two bites, but I promise these cupcakes will leave you satisfied. Did I mention they are only $1.00? Stop by for a cup of coffee and try one (or six) of these fabulous little cupcakes.

Heaven Cupcake

I just got around to watching all the shows I recorded last week on my DVR while we were out of town. One of the shows was Cupcake Wars and I was so surprised (and happy) to see that one of the competitors was from Salt Lake City, UT. Erik from Heaven Cupcake competed against three other cupcake bakers trying to become the next winner of Cupcake Wars. He was one of the final two standing but didn't end up taking the grand prize because of a couple small issues - some cupcakes weren't decorated competely and not all of his cupcakes made it to the display table. Oops! I think he still should have won.

To view some of the recipes from this episode or find out when it will re-air, click here.

Heaven Cupcake is a cupcake delivery service. For information, click here. To find them on facebook, click here and Twitter, here.

The Sweet Tooth Fairy On QVC

If you want some of the best treats Utah has to offer then you must tune in to QVC this Sunday, July 24, at 8:00pm EST. Megan Faulkner Brown, owner of The Sweet Tooth Fairy, will be on during the "Christmas in July" Gourmet Holiday Food Show selling her famous Cake Bites. Seriously, they are the most decadent, delicious bites of sweetness in the world.

Don't forget to become a fan of The Sweet Tooth Fairy on facebook to find out all of the latest happenings.

One Sweet Slice Is Now Open

Great news Utah cupcake lovers - One Sweet Slice Custom Cake and Cupcake Shoppe in South Jordan is now open! They are located about 10600 S Redwood Rd (just doors down from Cafe Rio). They are currently having a soft opening and will have a grand opening celebration around the first week in August.

Yesterday I stopped in for some cupcakes and I got to meet the owner, Janell. She was as nice as she could be and her store was exquisite. It is probably the best decorated cupcake store I have ever been in. I have been anxiously awaiting to try her cupcakes and they did not disappoint. The cake was so moist and delicious and the frosting was so creamy and not overly sweet. I bought a Red Velvet, Snickers, Black and White, Vanilla, Princess, and Dirt. The Dirt cupcake (like a classic "Dirt Dessert") was so good and took me straight back to my childhood. It was a chocolate cupcake with chocolate buttercream frosting with cookie crumbles and crispy rice cereal (for dirt), and a gummy worm on top. All of the cupcakes were fantastic!

Cupcakes above are Vanilla and Princess

One Sweet Slice also offers custom cakes, cake truffles, cupcake shakes, and more. Also, they will sell their mini cupcakes at Tai Pan Trading (9000 South location) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

To learn more about them and find out about upcoming events you can check out their website here or follow them on facebook here.

The Chocolate

The Chocolate, located in West Jordan and Orem, UT, are quaint little dessert cafes that sell fabulous treats like triple-layered cake by the slice, cupcakes, and more.

Carmel Chocolate cupcake and Cookies n' Cream cupcake

I stopped by the West Jordan location which is in a little old house at 9118 South Redwood Road. They have several beautifully decorated rooms with tables and chairs or couches where customers can sit and enjoy a delicious treat.  It would be the perfect place to stop and have a slice of cake with your girlfriends.

Guys Love Cupcakes Too

Cupcakes are a perfect treat to give Dad on Father's Day. A lot of cupcakeries are offering some sort of "manly" promotion to celebrate this special occasion. For example, here is what a couple of my local cupcake shops are doing to celebrate:

Dippidee - They are selling tool and tie shaped sugar cookies as well as four father-themed cupcake flavors (bacon perhaps?).

The Sweet Tooth Fairy - Bring Dad in for a FREE cupcake of his choice on Saturday.

So grab some cupcakes for Dad and enjoy them with him. He will thank you!

Cupcakes From Ogden to Idaho Falls

Over Memorial weekend we went to Idaho Falls, ID to visit and decorate the graves of loved ones. During the trip I planned to make a quick stop by two cupcakeries - Vintage Cupcake Co. in Ogden, UT and The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe in Idaho Falls, ID. 

First stop was Vintage Cupcake Co. in Ogden, UT. They are located at 470 24th Street and specialize in cupcakes and vintage decor. The shop was completely decorated in vintage decor - it was darling. It was really hard to make a decision because they had so many delicious flavors to choose from and they were all decorated so beautiful. I finally chose the BTA cupcake (Better Than Anything - chocolate cake soaked in S&D milk and butterscotch and topped with whipped cream and toffee) and my husband had the Cotton Candy (see below). The cupcakes were divine. They were not overly sweet, the cake was moist, and the frosting was really unique. 

Vintage Cupcake

The next day we stopped at The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe at 2545 South 25th East in Idaho Falls, ID. They also have locations in Rexburg, ID and Provo, UT. I had the Grasshopper, my Mom had the BTW (Better Than Whatever), and my husband had the Vanilla Bean. All three cupcakes were delicious! The frosting was so good and the cake was very moist. I also really loved the "cafe" feel. It's the kind of place you want to hang out and enjoy a cup of coffee and a cupcake while catching up on your favorite blogs and websites using their free Wi-Fi.

The Cocoa Bean Cafe

To our surprise, just a couple doors down from The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe we discovered a new cupcakery, The Cupcake Factory. Located at 2631 South Hitt Road, Idaho Falls, ID. They specialize in square gourmet cupcakes. This time I ordered the S'mores cupcake, my mom had the cheesecake, and my husband had the BTA (Better Than Anything). I couldn't believe all three cupcakeries we stopped at had BTA cupcakes. I have heard of the BTA cake (aka BTW or BTS cake) but have never seen this flavor at a cupcake shop before. I really liked the cake but wasn't totally in love with the mousse frosting or marshmallow glaze. We thought the cupcakes were okay. (7/27/11 Update: On our last trip to Idaho Falls we noticed that The Cupcake Factory is no longer in business.)

The Cupcake Factory

The next night we went out to dinner and found yet ANOTHER cupcake shop in Idaho Falls. Who knew Idahoan's loved cupcakes as much as Utahan's? It was called Love At First Bite. Sadly it was Sunday and they were closed. We stopped by again on our way out of town Monday (Memorial Day) and they were closed for the holiday. We will stop again in July on our way to Yellowstone and let you know how it was. (7/27/11 Update: We finally got to visit Love At First Bite. Read my review, here.)

Overall we all loved The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe cupcakes the best, with Vintage Cupcake Co. coming in a close second.

Happy 5th Birthday Dippidee!

One of my favorite bakeries, Dippidee, just turned FIVE! Between May 23 and June 4 they will be having instant giveaways, free mini cupcakes to all those that stop in, 15% off cake orders, a case full of birthday themed treats, and more. Also, they are having a contest where they will be giving away a whole year of sweet surprises. Check out the all of the activities and contest details, here.

Doggie Cupcakes From So Cupcake

Earlier this week we stopped by So Cupcake to get some of their adorable mini cupcakes. It was really hard to choose just six from the 20 or so flavors they had that day. I noticed when I was picking out my cupcakes that they now sell doggie cupcakes and I just had to buy a couple. I was assured by the owner of So Cupcake that they are made with very dog-friendly ingredients.

Needless to say, the dogs went BANANAS over them. Madison (see smiling Jack Russell) took her cupcake out of the bowl, ran off the deck to the grass, and devoured it. I am glad I removed the cupcake liner for her.

Eddie (see Chihuahua) was a little more dainty eating his. He licked off the frosting first and then ate the rest in a couple of bites. 

Sprinkles Cupcakes also sell adorable doggie cupcakes which our dogs loved.

Dippidee Voted Best Cupcakes In Utah County

The people voted and Dippidee was named best bakery, best cupcake, and best dessert in the Utah County Daily Herald. Congratulations Dippidee! You deserve it. If you stop in this week (May 10-14) and make a purchase you will receive one free fun size cupcake to celebrate.

I highly recommend the Little Devil cupcake. It is chocolate heaven and it's one of my 'top 5' favorite cupcakes. My husband recommends the Caramel White Chocolate. It is his #1 favorite cupcake.

Frosting Shots

Do you ever just crave frosting, not the whole cupcake? There are several cupcakeries that just offer a "frosting shot" for a dollar or two. Most offer a variety of flavors to choose from and serve just the right amount in little sample cups. I recently heard a rumor that Sprinkles Cupcakes sell frozen frosting shots (see picture above). Doesn't that sound delish? I need to plan a road trip to Scottsdale, AZ just so I can try one out for myself.

If you want a shot of frosting but don't see it on the menu at your local cupcakery, just ask. Some offer them but just don't have it on the menu.

Utahans can get their frosting shot fix at The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

I Met The Sweet Tooth Fairy

Today I went to The Sweet Tooth Fairy to get my three free cake bites for Mother's Day as well some of the new flavor-of-the-month cupcakes, including; Mayan Chocolate, Cinnamon Churro, and Dulce de Leche. I was so surprised to see Megan Faulkner Brown, the owner of The Sweet Tooth Fairy, walk out of the back room. I have seen pictures of her on their website and I've seen her on QVC, Rachel Ray, and Outrageous Kid Parties. I knew who she was the second I saw her. And guess what? She waited on me. She is like a celebrity to me - a celebrity that makes some of my favorite cupcakes. I wasn't the only one excited either, the people behind me in line were eager to meet her as well. We talked about our kids, cupcakes, and her TV appearances. I am so excited that I finally got to meet her and she really was as sweet as she could be.

Quick Update: One Sweet Slice

Janell, the owner of One Sweet Slice, emailed to let me know that there will be a delay opening the store because they are required by South Jordan to add another bathroom in order to host events and parties like cake/cupcake decorating birthday parties. They will most likely open early to mid-June. As soon as I know the grand opening date, I will let you know. I am so excited!

Thanks for the update, Janell!

One Sweet Slice

A new cupcakery is coming to Utah and I am so excited! It's called One Sweet Slice and it will be located in South Jordan at 10600 Redwood Rd (in the same strip mall as Cafe Rio). The owner, Janell Brown, has actually been creating cake masterpieces for six years in Utah, but this is her very first store front. You have to check out her photo gallery - her cakes are gorgeous.

According to One Sweet Slice's facebook page, they will be opening on May 16. They will sell cupcakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and more. I am planning on attending the grand opening and I will post my review here. I can tell just by looking at the pictures on their website that they are going to be fabulous!

Blue Lemon

This past week my Mom and I had lunch at Blue Lemon in Salt Lake City, UT. It's a cafe and bakery that serves everything from gourmet entrees and artisan sandwiches to smoothies and cupcakes. As Blue Lemon calls it "it's pure clean food with a twist." They even offer gourmet cooking classes and catering. The Salt Lake location is part of the new City Creek Center and they also have a location in Highland, UT.

I heard Blue Lemon had amazing cupcakes, so I had to check them out for myself. We ordered the artichoke and tomato panini with sweet potato fries and two cupcakes to share. All I can say, is the cupcakes did not disappoint. (Actually, all of the food we ordered was delicious.) The "Oreo" cupcake was amazing. The chocolate cake was so moist and the buttercream frosting was indescribable. It was so buttery and not overly sweet. The top of the cupcake had Oreo cookie crumbles. It was a perfect cupcake. The "Vanilla" cupcake was really good as well. A rich vanilla taste with the same yummy buttercream frosting. I will definitely be going back to try more flavors of their cupcakes.

If you stop by to try a cupcake, take a friend to share. They are huge.

Click for locations, hours, and their menu www.bluelemon.com

Kneader's Now Sells Cupcakes

Kneader's Bakery has introduced "The Year Of The Cupcake." They will sell two flavors of cupcakes per month in all of their stores besides all of their other super yummy bakery items. My good friend who works as a head chef at one of our local Kneaders told me that I needed to try one of these super fancy and delicious cupcakes. I stopped by and picked up the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle cupcake. It was really good. It's an angel food cake dipped in white chocolate with a raspberry filling. The topping is a layer of cream cheese and a raspberry whipped cream frosting. The topping and filling were tart and the cake and white chocolate were sweet, which balanced out the cupcake nicely.

You'll have to stop by and try one for yourself. Again, don't forget to check back every month since the flavors will change.

Mini Cupcakes Book Signing

Leslie Fiet, owner of Mini's Cupcakes and author of Mini Cupcakes, will be doing two upcoming book signings in Salt Lake City, UT. So grab your copy of this fabulous cupcake cookbook and head over to meet the author and have your book signed at one of the following events:

When: Thursday, March 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Mini's Cupcakes, 14 East 800 South

When: Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 PM
Where: The Kings English, 1511 South 1500 East

Even if you can't make it to the book signings, pick up a copy of this cookbook anyway. The recipes are wonderful, the pictures are beautiful, and it's a book you'll want in your collection.

Cupcake Wars Audition Tapes

I have been anxiously awaiting a Utah cupcakery to make an appearance on one of my favorite shows, Cupcake Wars. While looking through audition tapes on YouTube I found several videos from our very own Utah cupcake shops which I am posting for your viewing pleasure. I am so excited that two Utah cupcakes shops are trying out for next season.  

Here are some from 2010 (last season's auditions):

The Sweet Tooth Fairy (6 Utah Locations)

Dippidee (American Fork, UT)

The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe (Provo, UT and 2 Idaho Locations)

Here are audition tapes from 2011 (they are trying out for season 3!):

Mini's Cupcakes (2 Salt Lake City, UT locations)

Cupcake Chic (Orem, UT)