Valentine's Day and pretty flower cupcakes by Truly Madly Sweetly

Valentine's Day, some flower and gardening cupcakes by Truly Madly Sweetly Cupcakes in Ware, UK, via their Facebook page. They can be reached at gaynorclark59 at hotmail.co.uk or 07734 139790.

Honolulu cupcake excitement for tonight's meetup: chocolate mint marshmallow cupcakes by Tiramisu Cupcakes

I'm not sure which type of cupcakes Tiramisu Cupcakes will be bringing to tonight's Honolulu, Hawaii Cupcakes Take the Cake meetup, but I'm excited by this photo of their chocolate mint cupcakes! From their Facebook page (email tiramisucupcakes at yahoo.com for orders and inquiries). See you from 6-9 pm tonight at The Greenhouse Innovation Hub at 685 Auahi Street in Kaka'ako! I'll post a recap for those who can't make it and will be blogging about Hawaiian cupcakes all week.


Chocolate cake w/ mint marshmallow frosting and chocolate mint bits.



More from their Facebook page:

Tiramisu [Tir-a-mi-su]:What's in the name? In translation, tiramisu means "pick me up," or "lift me up". It is also the cupcake that started the YummyCups craze. As a former co-founder of YummyCups, I found it only "fitting" to name my new adventure after the cupcake (tiramisu).

I also like that they put a cupcake on the side of a cake!

Valentine's Day chocolate heart cupcake pendant and cupcake thimble for sale on Etsy

Etsy seller The Glass Chef has many cupcake items for sale, including this chocolate heart cupcake pendant ($15) and this made to order cupcake thimble $20)! Via The Glass Chef on Flickr.

Cherry chip cupcakes with cherry vanilla buttercream plus recipe link

Check out The Nonpareil Baker for the recipe and more photos of these cherry chip cupcakes with cherry vanilla buttercream!

Cupcake water lilies and ladybugs and book tour dates from Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My!

Our last two sneak peeks at Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My! in honor of today's publication date. Check back this week for our contest to win a copy. And below are author Karen Tack and Alan Richardson's book tour dates. We'll be meeting up at the New York City event; more info on that soon. If you're in New York, be sure to join our meetup group for the latest news and local events. And because they have proven so spectacularly popular, I'm posting the cupcake high heels again! Follow them @whatsnewcupcake on Twitter for the latest news and hellocupcakebook.com for more decorating tips.









Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My! book tour dates with Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

Boston

Northeastern University Barnes & Noble Xhibition Kitchen event, Demo/Q&A/Signing, Feb 1 at noon

Natick, MA: Sur La Table cooking class, Feb 1 @ 6:30pm

Connecticut

Canton, CT: Sur La Table cooking class, Feb 2 @ 6:30pm

New York

Manhasset, Long Island: Sur La Table cooking class, Feb 4 @ 1pm

Manhattan: Sur La Table cooking class, Feb 15 @ 11:30am at 306 W. 57th St. (the Hearst Bldg)

Hartsdale: Chef Central cooking class, March 3 @ 1pm

St. Louis

Event at L'Ecole Culinaire culinary school for ~75 students, demo/talk/signing, Feb 7 @ 3pm

Left Bank Books event, demo/talk/signing, Feb 7 @ 7pm

Kansas City

Offsite event at Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 W. 47th St.), hosted by Rainy Day Books, Feb 8 @ 7pm

Culinary Center at Kansas City Luncheon (Overland Park, KS), Feb 9 @ 12:00pm

Denver

Tattered Cover (Highlands Ranch location), Feb 10 at 7:30pm

The Cupboard Kitchen Store(Ft. Collins), demo & signing, Feb 11 from 10:30-12:30

Milwaukee

Offsite event at Discovery World Pilot House co-hosted by Boswell Book Company and Iron Cupcake, Feb 12 at 2pm

Sur La Table cooking class (Glendale), Feb 13 @ 6:30pm

New Jersey

Chef Central cooking class, Paramus, Feb 16 @ 6:30pm

Wegmans cooking class, Cherry Hill, Feb 17 (4-6pm)

Wegmans cooking class, Bridgewater, Feb 18 (12-2pm)

Ocean County Library, Toms River, March 25 @ 2pm

Dallas

Central Market class, Feb 20 @ 6:30pm

Austin

Central Market class, Feb 21 @ 6:30pm

Houston

Central Market class, Feb 22 @ 6:30pm

San Antonio

Central Market class, Feb 23 @ 6:30pm

Ft. Worth

Central Market class, Feb 24 @ 6:30pm

Central Market class, Feb 25 @ 11:00am

Plano

Central Market class, Feb 25 @ 6:30pm

Chicago

Housewares Show, March 11 @ 4:30pm (Goho Cooking Theater)

Housewares Show, March 12 @ 11:30am (in HMH booth)

The Bookstall (Winnetka, IL), demo & signing, March 12 @ 7:00pm

Want free chcoolate stout cupcakes with rum buttercream and bacon sprinkles? Come to our Honolulu cupcake meetup tonight!

I'm very excited that Annie Cakes Hawaii (who can be reached at anniecakeshawaii at gmail.com and I'll have more about later this week) is making these chocolate stout cupcakes with rum buttercream & bacon sprinkles for our Honolulu cupcake meetup tonight! I'll be posting more about our cupcake spnsors today and this wee, but I hope you can join us. It's free and tonight and at the wonderful Greenhouse Innovation Hub, and I'm going to talk for a little while about how Cupcakes Take the Came came to be and then we are going to mingle and feast on cupcakes! 6-9 pm, Tuesday, January 31st, The Greenhouse Innovation Hub, 685 Auahi Street, Kaka'ako (808-285-3363). No need to RSVP, but you want to spread the word to your friends, here's the Facebook event page. We'll have many dozen cupcakes to enjoy! And if you're a tech type looking for a place to cowork, check out The Greenhouse, and if you live or are visiting Honolulu, check them out for amazing events each week (follow @HiGreenHouse on Twitter).

Baked Is Baking Superbowl Cupcakes

The Giants vs. The Patriots...It is an East Coast showdown. If you are not fans of either, we know you love cupcakes. If you are having a party this weekend in NYC, you may want to order some cupcakes from Baked. Like them on Facebook, too. PS. Matt and Renato from Baked are joining us on the Cupcake Cruise, so make your reservation today.

Puppy Love Cake Pops

This is something different for Valentine's Day. Inspired by the today's launch of Cupcakes, Cookies, and Pies, Oh My, Liz of Hoosier Homemade made these for her weekly Cupcake Tuesday. These puppy love cake pops are adorable and with the upcoming Westminster Dog Show and Puppy Bowl, these are very topical. Learn how to make these puppies!

Split Pea Sunshine & Saffron Soup

Ka-pow! The sun came out. Copenhagen is mighty cold, but it’s bright and beautiful. In fact, I was so inspired by the sun yesterday, that I made this soup to reflect my gratitude for the much-needed luminosity. 

But how does one capture the winter sun in a bowl? It has to include a few key elements, all of them bright and warming. Very much like my Butternut Squash Salad that became a quite literal translation of an autumn stroll, this soup began with little, round, golden spheres – sunny split peas. I added more glowing globe goodness with a Hokkaido pumpkin, and took things over the top with a sprinkling of saffron and carrots cut into fun, sun shapes. Smooth, mellow, yellow, and amusing – like the bold, golden brightness poking through the gloom.

Coming from Canada, I am all too familiar with split pea soup – it’s a staple in many households. I can remember those days when my mum was in a pinch to make supper, out came the can of Habitant! That particular style, and the traditional recipe, calls for a ham hock, but after many trials, I have nailed the veggie version. Split Pea Sunshine & Saffron Soup is a very special dish full of surprising flavour that will spread warmth from your heart to your toes.

Split Peas, Pretty Please!

Yes, split peas are a modest bunch, but don’t let their wallflower demeanor fool you – they are small but mighty! 

For starters, split peas are provide a lot of fiber, the soluble kind, which means they help lower cholesterol, prevent digestive disorders, and balance blood sugar. Soluble fiber is the kind that forms a gel-like substance in our digestive tract, binding to cholesterol-containing bile, which is then excreted. Soluble fiber also increases stool bulk, making it a fabulous constipation-combatant! Mmmm…who’s hungry? [1]

One of the other benefits of split peas is their high amount of Molybdenum (pronounced “muh-LIB-duh-nem”). Say what? Chances are you haven’t heard much about this element, but it is in fact essential for optimal health and longevity. Although required in very small amounts, Molybdenum supports bone growth and strengthening of the teeth. A low intake is associated with mouth and gum disorders, and may also cause impotence in men. [2] Those who eat a diet high in refined and processed foods are at risk for molybdenum deficiency. 

Don’t fret! Cover your molybdenum bases with Split Pea Sunshine & Saffron Soup. Just one cup of split peas provides 196% of your recommended daily intake; so gobble up for heaven’s sake!

Split peas are also high in protein, complex carbohydrates, folic acid, and virtually fat free. Put that in your bowl and eat it!

Split Pea Sunshine & Saffron Soup

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 cup dried yellow split peas, soaked

a pinch of saffron (approx. 20 threads), soaked

knob of coconut oil or ghee

¼ tsp. cayenne (optional)

¼ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. paprika

5 bay leaves

pinch of sea salt

2 large leeks, chopped

4 cloves garlic

1 small Hokkaido (or any winter squash/pumpkin), cubed

4 carrots (set aside two), chopped

6 cups vegetable broth

1 lemon

Directions:
1. Pick over split peas to remove any stones or debris. Place them in a bowl and cover with water. If possible, let soak for up to 8 hours – if not, set them aside until you cook with them.
2. In a very small bowl or cup, place a pinch of saffron (approx. 20 threads) and cover with a couple tablespoons of hot water. Let steep for at least 10 minutes (set aside until you cook with it).
3. In a large stock pot heat the oil and add the spices and bay leaves, stirring frequently for a minute or so (watch carefully so they do not burn). Add leeks, garlic, pumpkin, and carrots. Stir to coat with spice mix. If the pot becomes dry, add a little water. Cook for 5-10 minutes until veggies begin to soften.
4. Drain and rinse split peas, add to the pot. Cover with stock, add saffron-water, bring to a boil, and reduce to simmer.
*5. White the soup is simmering, cut out sun shapes with the carrots (this is totally optional, but fun. It also makes the soup very appealing for kids!). Pick out two very straight carrots. Wedge the entire length of your knife blade into the side of a carrot on a slight angle. Just beside that slice, wedge the knife blade in again at the opposite angle to meet the first cut (creating a very long triangular cut-out). Repeat all around the carrot, then slice thinly across the end of the carrot to make sun shapes. You will be able to get enough for the whole soup out of two carrots. Reserve a few for garnish. See photo for clarification.*
6. Once the peas are cooked through and soft, remove bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, blend on high until smooth (you can also use an upright blender). Thin with water if too thick. Add the juice of ½ lemon. Season to taste.
7. Add sun carrot shapes, simmer until softened (5 minutes). Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a couple carrot suns and a wedge of lemon juice.



I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who mentioned how many of my recipes taste better the day after. As someone with a healthy appetite, and who lives with someone of equal vigor, I don’t always get to test this theory out. BUT! Today’s lunch was leftover soup, and yowza – I’d definitely put this dish into the ‘make ahead’ category. Sometimes flavours and spices need some time to hang out together before they bond. In the case of saffron, it’s especially true.
Consider cooking up this soup a day before eating, or make sure there are leftovers. And to those of you who haven’t seen sun in a while, make a double batch of this and keep it in case of emergency!

Sources: [1] whfoods.com
[2] Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York, NY: Penguin, 2006.

Looking Good: Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake

When picking what to post here, it is mostly subjective.  I love a pretty cupcake and good food photography. I often go with my gut. The cupcake is pretty but the red plaid backdrop is so classic. This photo is from Arina Habich who is a member of our Cupcakes Take The Cake Flickr Group which has over 8500 members!

She's The First: How A Bake Sale Started A Movement

Filming by Chris Vongsawat

Last year from November 1-8,  thousands of students & young professionals baked & sold tie-dye cupcakes to fundraise for girls’ sponsorships in 8 countries where the majority of girls never graduate. Learn more about how we’re changing the world, one sweet cupcake at a time. It all started with one bake sale that  Lindsay Brown.

Our connection to the this story is that we helped to spread the good word about the bake sale. Last fall, I ran into Tammy Tibbetts at a party, she told me about the wonderful bake sale project that She's The First was doing. We blogged about it. Later the story kept popping in our Twitter feed, on Facebook, Google Alerts. This video shows how a bake sale became a movement.

Cupcake spotlight on Battycakes in Park City, Utah: Valentine's Day, snowflakes, s'mores with bows and more!

This cupcake spotlight is on bakery Battycakes of Park City, Utah, who you can also find on Facebook and @battycakes on Twitter. They've got lots of festive Valentine's day and many other cupcakes, as you can see below, I got a little carried away cause they're so lovely. For their full cupcake menu, which includes butter rum raisin, orange dark chocolate, maple black walnut, caramel apple, ginger & molasses and more, click here.












s'mores cupcakes with bows!








"This moist customer favorite incorporates tart, organic Cranberries and zesty Orange into a fall favorite that's great year round! Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese frosting is crowned with candied Cranberry & Orange morsels."





Batty Cakes
900 Bitner Road
Park City, UT 84098
435-608-1422
info at battycakes.com

Giveaway From Stay Calm Cupcakes

Want to give your sweetie something memorable this Valentine's Day? Want a "jarring" treat for yourself?! Then enter to win cupcakes in a jar from Stay Calm Cupcake. Enter this giveaway by Friday, February 3rd.

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Free cupcakes tonight at cupcake happy hour at Kickass Cupcakes

Yes, Kickass Cupcakes is one of the most frequent bakeries where you can find free cupcakes, especially with their cupcake happy hours, but pay attention to them on Facebook for other freebie opportunities too! Tonight cupcake happy hour features Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales is 5-8 pm (or until they run out) at 378 Highland Avenue - Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts. Visit kickasscupcakes.com for more information.


Fort (lemon cupcake, fort gelee center, fort raspberry icing, raspberry jam), World Wide Stout (chocolate cupcake, world wide stout frosting) and Immort (vanilla cupcake soaked with immort syrup, maple icing, juniper candy) Dogfish Head Ale cupcakes - free mini versions tonight at cupcake happy hour, full size for sale in the bakery

New York Giants and New England Patriots Super Bowl cupcakes this weekend at Sweet Avenue Bake Shop

Lots more Super Bowl cupcakes are coming your way this week leading up to Sunday's big game! (If you've made Super Bowl cupcakes, email us at cupcakestakethecake at gmail.com with "Super Bowl" in the subject line and include photo or link to image, price, full contact/purchasing information and we will try to get them posted). Sweet Avenue Bake Shop in Rutherford, New Jersey is selling both Giants and Patriots cupcakes for $4 each, chocolate or vanilla cake, available this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Read more at their blog. Visit sweetavenuebakeshop.com for more information and call 201-935-2253 to place an order for your super bowl party (1 dozen minimum).

Does Shipping Cupcakes Stack Up? Plus, a Giveaway: Georgetown Cupcake Sends You a Dozen!

Thank you Georgetown Cupcake for the shipping and the cupcakes -- and the Valentine's Day giveaway. 

I'd always been suspicious about how well shipping cupcakes works, even though I'd had a reliable experience before.

It arrived in fine condition, bright pink and happy-looking, very distinctive. Once you see this box you won't forget it anytime soon (check out these amazing shots of the boxes arriving for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during "Operation Cupcake"). When I opened the box there was a foil wrap around the cupcakes:

Inside that was a small gel-type pack of ice.

And a card, although it had no information abut the cupcakes inside. No names, flavors, ingredients, nor the name of the collection, which was a Valentine's Day special. That was kind of a bummer, not sure why it was overlooked.

The cupcakes arrived partially frozen, with sticks in them to keep them in place:

A tiny bit of movement showed but for the most part the cupcakes arrived looking great!

Flavors were:

Red velvet.

Strawberry Lava Fudge.

Chocolate squared.

(I looked them up.)

The red velvets were my favorite.





Yummy and sweet cream cheese frosting with a dense moist (but not oily or greasy) cake. My cupcake-tasting partners (in crime) felt the cupcakes had a slightly alkaline aftertaste but I didn't notice.

The strawberry lava fudge was exactly as advertised:






A lava-type cake with a sweet and gooey fudge center. The frosting is also very sugary, with a fruity strawberry taste. I thought I also might have tasted some raspberry but no one else agreed with me. *sigh*

Warning: this cupcake is messy! Gooey and drippy and best eaten with a fork or spoon. Also, the frosting had a tendency to separate. Maybe due to the fact there was so much of it?




The chocolate squared was so rich and dense and obviously made with quality ingredients.






My friend took one bite and said, "Are these made with Valrhona?" Wow. Impressive. Yes, they are.  We both agreed that the cake was just a vehicle for the frosting. So decadent. And really a grain-free taste, which I think is hard to achieve in a chocolate frosting.





I love how the cupcake wrappers were decorated on the bottom:



So cute.




The cupcakes are hard to remove from their container. It's best to remove them while they are still frozen, or you will have fingerprints all over your frosting:








As an aside, Senator Harry Reid received a similar box and regifted the treats to the press! Nice move, Senator Reid. Media people love cupcakes.



Georgetown Cupcake is home to TLC's show DC Cupcakes and they are expanding soon to NYC and Boston. Excellent shipping, quality ingredients, popular TV show, busy bakeries (4 by the end of the year) -- is there anything these women can't do?!



Anyway, Georgetown Cupcake and Cupcakes Take the Cake are giving away a dozen Valentine's Day cupcakes plus some cupcake merchandise, shipped directly to your home (USA lower 48 only due to shipping restrictions). To enter, leave an email address where CTTC can contact you below, in the comment section, on or before February 6, 2012 at 5:00 pm ET.  We will choose one winner at random and contact you via email, the gifts will be shipped from the cupcakery.



The small print:

"Georgetown Cupcake ships all of its cupcakes overnight via FedEx. Due to the FedEx shipping schedule, Georgetown Cupcake cannot ship cupcakes for arrival on Sundays or Mondays. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO addresses.We do not require signature upon receipt of any shipping order. However, due to the perishable nature of our product, it is best for someone to be present to receive the delivery.

Please be aware of any specific delivery policies at your shipping destination.Georgetown Cupcake cannot guarantee delivery if we are provided with an incorrect address, or for shipping delays resulting from inclement weather.Georgetown Cupcake will provide you with a FedEx tracking number via email once your order has shipped."

Best of luck to y'all!

;)