Caramel Crunch - Smallcakes Cupcakery



Caramel Crunch - Smallcakes





Maybe a Cupcake will Help? Of course it will...especially this one. My next cupcake recommendation is the Caramel Crunch from Smallcakes Cupcakery http://smallcakescupcakery.com/ This little cupcakery holds a special place in my heart because the first cupcakery I visited under the "Smallcakes Family" was in Kansas (love the Connolly's)! In Kansas is where my sister bought me my "peace, love, cupcakes" t-shirt...and yes I wear it while I workout! The cupcakery is now open in partnership with Freshberry in Roseville, CA. In being linked up with Freshberry, this means Smallcakes cupcakes can be picked-up into the late evening...so I guess at this time, this is the closest alternative Northern California has to a "cupcake vending machine!"...hey I will take it! Caramel Crunch is one of Smallcakes core flavors. But, as you know from previous postings, these "core/everyday" flavors often require advance planning...so call-in and have one  (or two!) set aside! Visually, the cupcake is stunning...I love the simplistic elegance of the single, braided chocolate-covered pretzel gently placed on top of the crystallized sea salt, caramel frosting. The sea salt crystals SPARKLE! The Caramel Crunch cupcake is layered with flavors (chocolate, butter, caramel, and salt), each taking the stage at separate, yet cohesive times. This cupcake reminded me of one of my most favorite childhood candies...ROLOS! The chocolate cake is extra soft and the richness of the caramel frosting comes in the texture and form as the caramel found on candy-dipped apples. The pleasant, stickiness of the caramel frosting and crunchiness of the pretzel really  launch this cupcake to stardom! Try one today! PS...Caramel Crunch cupcake was a recommendation from a friend I followed up on...so please keep them coming!  

Cocoa Velvet - Esther's Cupcakes

COCOA! COCOA! COCOA! ...Okay, now that I've got your attention, it time for my next cupcake recommendation....Cocoa Velvet from Esther's Cupcakes in Sacramento, CA (http://www.estherscupcakes.com/). After many years I hearing about Esther's Cupcakes. I finally made it in to bakery for a "little sample" (would you consider 4 cupcakes a sample?...I do)! The cocoa velvet is a chocolate cupcake with a cream cheese buttercream frosting. The cake itself is, if this is at all possible...light, moist, and dense! You can taste the freshness of the cocoa...imagine fresh cocoa being sifted and folded into the cake batter. The pleasant cocoa flavor provides a warmth...like hot cocoa...and remains with you even after the cupcake is gone! The cupcake is decorated with a simple, yet elegant edible chocolate flower on top of a nicely balanced cream cheese buttercream frosting (and not too soft...I think you already know how I feel about soft cream cheese frosting). I look forward to "sampling" more of Esther's Cupcakes including: savory sweet corn, peanut butter, strawberry shortcake, and coconut! Cupcake cost is $2.75.

Red Velvet - Icing on the Cupcake

Red Velvet - Icing on the Cupcake

My first cupcake recommendation is the RED VELVET cupcake from Icing on the Cupcake (IOTC) (http://icingonthecupcake.com/). Simply put, this cupcake began my cupcake obsession. Following the birth of my first child in 2009, I had cupcake cravings for this specific cupcake (yes…cravings even after pregnancy)! At that time IOTC had a single store in Rocklin, CA…since then this cupcakery has expanded to four separate locations in the greater Sacramento area…in fact their headquarters are only moments away from my residence…I know, dangerous! Even more convenient, Red Velvet is one of IOTC’s everyday flavors…but please be forewarned, if you wait too late in the day or do not call in your order, you may miss out. Okay, so back to the actual cupcake itself…really in one word it is AMAZING. The cake itself is always so moist and delicious with a subtle chocolate flavor. The cake really gives makes a sound like a sponge (squeeze it...and you will see). And WOW the red color of teh cake is strikingly beautiful and rich! The cupcake is topped with cream cheese frosting…absolute perfection…trust me. The frosting goes beyond perfection in taste and extends to perfection in texture as well. I have come across several cream cheese frostings that are way too soft and that is a flaw this cupcake connoisseur cannot overlook; IOTC has created a frosting that is creamy, yet is coated with a slight, delicately balanced sugary crunch. One of my favorite features of this specific cupcake is the tiny red sprinkles that are embedded in the cream cheese frosting…the sprinkles (and also the precious candy heart on top) truly put this cupcake over the edge. So whether you are new to the cupcake world or an experienced cupcaker, the Red Velvet cupcake from Icing on the Cupcake is an absolute must! Cupcake cost $2.75...also comes in babybites! LOVE IT!

Welcome to CONFETTI

I have decided to take my liking towards (or better yet, my obsession for) cupcakes to a whole new level and start a cupcake blog. Yes, you read that right, a CUPCAKE blog! Very appropriately I have named this blog “CONFETTI – a cupcake party” because that is exactly the true essence of a cupcake…a PARTY! CONFETTI will celebrate and honor the best of the best cupcakes. Not only will I share my absolute favorite cupcakes/cupcakeries and reasons for them getting my formal “stamp of approval,” I also invite you to tell me where I should visit and what I need to taste! CONFETTI is like “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives meets Cupcake Wars!” CONFETTI’s recommendations will extend beyond my hometown and will comment on taste, texture, and decorations. Let the fun begin!