July 2011
07/26/2011
Cupcakes & Angels
Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara
If you went to Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara, you may have seen more than a room full of cupcakes and if you saw what I saw, you were in a room full of angels.
I LOVE Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara because it's more than a competition, it's about baking for a cause and helping to raise money for Cupcakes for Cancer. This non-profit event was one of the first Cupcake Camps in California and the organizer, Blakely Colvin started Cupcakes for Cancer as a way to raise money for children with cancer. In the five years of her baking Blakely has raised over $70,000!
This past weekend's event raised $12,000 alone! Every baker donated their cupcakes and baking expertise to help in this effort, and the 1,000 attendees from the Santa Barbara area proved their support of the trending and continued craze for cupcakes as well as the amazing cause behind all of that baking!
Cupcakes ARE a Girl's Best Friend!
KEYT Channel 3 on the scene
This year I was absolutely honored to participate as a judge! I tasted over 60 cupcakes from Amatuer bakers to Professionals and let me tell you, I was in cupcake heaven overload!
I had the opportunity to meet celebrity judge and Cupcake Wars winner Annette Starbuck of Goodie Girls. She is just one of the many angels I met here.
Showing off my Cupcake Judge Badge with Annette
Cupcake Judges: Cassie, Annette, & Miss Ventura - Megan Wisler
Cupcake Judge Alison Riede of Sugar Cat Studio
We had so much fun tasting cupcakes and tasted some truly amazing and unique concoctions.
Desi from [Desi]gn Cupcakes won our vote in two categories for her delicious cupcakes!
The Sweet Cupcake Competition!
Check out the rest of the photos below of the Cupcakes & Angels I met at Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara, an incredible experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of.
I love these Twitter Bird Santa Barbara inspired cupcakes created by a youth baker!
These cupcakes were NOT for youth bakers!
Cupcake Angels Ashley & Sam
These cool cupcakes were definitely inspired by the beautiful beaches of SB
So Cal Cupcakes!
S'mores are my favorite summer cupcake flavor!
Glitter tattoos for Cupcake Angels
As I mentioned - Cupcake Heaven!
07/18/2011
Mini Cupcake Review!
Carrot Cake Mini Cupcake w Cream Cheese Frosting - Starbucks
It's been awhile since I've been into a Starbucks mainly because I work for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf I suppose, but also because I've never been a huge fan of the coffee.
I knew Starbucks was going through a huge bakery program overhaul featuring trendy treats like whoopie pies, cake pops and mini cupcakes so I just had to bite the bullet and take one for the team, you guys, my little cupcakes!
This two bite delight was worth the dreadful trip to the big corporate coffee giant, and I'll even admit, the service at this location was exceptional! Life is full of surprises, and this Carrot Cake Mini Cupcake proved this to be true.
The title really says it all, and for an afternoon treat this mini cupcake sized carrot cake will hit the spot! The cake was moist and flavorful, not too spicy or chunky. The cream cheese frosting was light and rich and the perfect portion for each bite.
If you have an extra 190 calories in your day to spare for this tiny indulgence, I say go for it!
07/16/2011
Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara
CUPCAKES FOR CANCER
presents
2nd ANNUAL
Cupcake Camp
Santa
Barbara
WHEN: Sunday, July 24 2011 1- 4 pm
WHERE: Fess Parker Resort Santa Barbara
WHY: Because who doesn't love CUPCAKES!
$10 entry fee -4 cupcake tastings, milk & coffee
** FREE PARKING this
year!
The 2nd Annual Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara is next week and I am so extremely honored and excited to be a part of it, as a JUDGE!
So what makes a great cupcake? Obviously everyone has a different taste preference, and you might be wondering what makes me qualified enough to know a great cupcake from a not so great cupcake? Well I can assure you I’ve tasted well enough cupcakes to know! Any event or special occasion where cupcakes are present, I make sure to swipe a bite and briefly, here's what wins me over:
First, let’s start with presentation. Your cupcake should win over my eyes! Those grocery store bought cupcakes really throw me off, they just look so artificial – even if they are good cupcakes I’m just not that into them. That’s also why I love a good eclectic mix of bakers at cupcake camp, I know for a fact each baker will put their heart into every detail of their cupcakes.
The cake of the cupcake is another big factor. It has to be MOIST! No matter what the texture, light and fluffy or dense and thick – a cake should NEVER be dry or over baked. Use an oven thermometer and toothpick to ensure your cupcakes are the perfect consistency.
Frosting to some people is the most important part of a cupcake. There should never be too much and especially not too little. It should complement the cake with each bite. I hate to have to scrape off a blob of frosting, because even if it’s the best frosting I’ve ever tasted – I would have to waste it, and there’s no need to waste frosting, right?
Surprise me! With all of the cupcakes I’ve tasted, there are the few that really surprise me. Maybe it’s a unique flavor that no one else is using. Or it’s the sweet or savory filling I’ve just bit into that will make me smile. Whatever it is, think outside of the cake mix box and go for it! I love ALL flavors and if you can create a great cupcake with an unexpected ingredient, you might just have my vote!
Good luck Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara Bakers! I look forward to tasting and judging the best cupcakes at camp!
07/06/2011
Sweet Manicure!
I've recently subscribed to a delicious food blog called "A Cozy Kitchen" where Adrianna takes you step by step through the amazing concoctions she creates & photographs right in her kitchen.
I ran across this post, Funfetti Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream which features some great photos of her fun cupcakes and fancy nails above.
I love this blog, and although cupcakes only make the occasional appearance - I wanted to share it with you to enjoy for some inspiring ideas for cooking & baking!
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