Cuppie's Mini New York Diary

Dear Sweet Readers,

This past weekend, I went to NYC for a visit with some old dear friends, and I brought Cuppie with me.

You'd be absolutely appalled by how few sweets I ate on my trip (it was whirlwind and I was focused on my buddies!), so instead of telling you everything I ate, I thought I'd share, here, some of Cuppie's favorite moments from our trip.

First, I took Cuppie to Washington Square Park. "When Harry Met Sally!" he exclaimed.

Then I took Cuppie to the original Magnolia Bakery. "A bit obvious, don't you think?" Cuppie scoffed, and insisted taking the picture across the street so he didn't look like "the dude who wore the band's t-shirt to the concert." 

"You sound like a food blogger, Cuppie!" I replied.

We ambled on over for a walk on the High Line, but before, we stopped in on our friends Liddabit Sweets.

Then, we headed to Brooklyn. "The G train sucks!" said Cuppie, like a true New Yorker.

I showed Cuppie where I studied Illustration, at Pratt. "It's like going to my own personal Ellis Island!" he said.

We walked by Broken Angel, a special house near Pratt that fell on some hard times.

Then we headed back to Manhattan and finished it all out with a glance at the Empire State Building (pictured top). Lovely!

Well, Cuppie enjoyed his time in NYC and I hope you liked reading about it. Next up: an article about NY Crumb cake!

Love, Cakespy

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Moon Pie

Challenge yourself: "how can I make the world a more delicious place today?"

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Soft Serve By the Shore

I'm not going to try to tell you that Rita's is the best frozen custard in the world. After all, it's a franchise chain, so we're not talking artisan ice cream here. But on a summer day by the beach on the Jersey Shore, having a cone (or perhaps even their specialty, which is water ice paired with custard) is pretty hard to beat.

Doesn't this picture evoke thoughts of hot summer days, salty sea air, and the cool comfort of a chilly sweet treat? Yum.

Sweet Shots: 10 Happy Images From CakeSpy

Not that you need any MORE sweetness when you come 'round this website, but just to put you on sugar-sweet overload, here are 10 images that made me smile this week, from various places. First, above: cupcakes made by Carmen.

Second: a sweet shot of my zombie-cupcake card holder helping my friend Laurie hold her subway card in Tokyo! Wow, that little cake is well-traveled!

Source: twitpic.com via Cake on Pinterest

Three: a magical unicorn, sent to me by my friend who happens to own Church of Cupcakes.

Source: cakespy.com via Cake on Pinterest

Four: my favorite painting in quite some time.

Source: theendearingdesigner.com via Cake on Pinterest

Five: THIS CAKE, which I found on Pinterest.

Source: cakespy.com via Cake on Pinterest

Six: this cake, which I made! 

Seven: Who WOULDN'T be happy about a cupcake riding a pug?

Source: cakespy.bigcartel.com via Cake on Pinterest

Eight: Two words (or just one that I made up, I guess): UniCow!

Source: cakespy.com via Cake on Pinterest

Nine: I found cupcakes that resembled my character in the Northeast - I decorated them to complete the association, in photoshop!

Source: raspberricupcakes.com via Cake on Pinterest

Ten: since I love it when sweets look like other sweets, I found these macaron ice cream cones freaking adorable!

Sweet of the Day: Lemon Butter Crepe from Creperie Beau Monde

Crêpes are pretty sweet. Well, unless they're savory. Cos, you know, crêpes go both ways.

But on a recent trip to Creperie Beau Monde, I went totally sweet with their build your own dessert crêpe option. This one came with homemade lemon butter, lemon juice, and brown sugar.

I could try to explain the simple but exquisite pleasure of tart-creamy lemon butter paired with caramelly brown sugar and a dusting of confectioners' sugar, paired with the delicious, nutty buckwheat carbohydrate crêpe. 

But really, I'll let you look at the picture and make up your own sweet story--perhaps you'll dream even bigger than I could describe this delicious food thing. 

Creperie Beau Monde, 624 South Sixth Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 Visit them online here. 

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Sweet, Nougat Truffle, Teuscher of Philadelphia

Seeking a small bite of something sweet? Here's where I showcase my finds from time to time.

Today's sweet: a truffle from the Nougat collection at Teuscher of Philadelphia. Comprised of a rich chocolate ganache encased by a nutty nougat shell and a big dab of dark chocolate, this sweet little nutty treat was a morsel to savor for sure. Creamy, crunchy, chocolatey and just salty enough, it made me wonder how many I could eat before I felt sick.

Pick one up at Teuscher in Philadelphia.

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Artwork by Christopher Boffoli

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to documenting my sweet discoveries and daily goings-on. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

 My newest obsession? The "Disparity" series by Christopher Boffoli. He is a Seattle artist who "creates miniature representations of everyday scenes using tiny model figures and foodstuffs. Christopher, who has toured his "Disparity" collection in galleries throughout the USA, says: "Coming up with an interesting image is only half the battle - a caption that will make people smile is also a big part of my work." The caption to hte piece above? "Randi and Jeff finally admitted to themselves that they were lost." Read more about the series here.

Daily Snapshot: CakeSpy Inspired Cupcake Toppers

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to documenting my sweet goings-on. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

After I interviewed Carmen of C for Cupcake, she sent me these sweet cupcake toppers as a thank-you! It really made my day.

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, A Banana Split's View of the World

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to documenting my sweet goings-on. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Here's a sweet bit of wisdom I found in the (bound-to-be-a-classic) book I just purchased: The Banana Split Book: Everything There Is to Know about America's Greatest Dessert. Such a powerful thought! Also: there is a Banana Split Festival!?

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Cupcake and Unicorn Cake Pops

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to documenting my sweet goings-on. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Now, here was a very sweet surprise: Heidi of One Wild Strawberry surprised me at CakeSpy Shop with some totally sweet cake pops, decorated like Cuppie and unicorns! OMG! My new favorite person!

Sweet of the Day: Butter Pecan Ice Cream in a Chocolate Cookie Cone, Miller's Twist, Philadelphia

I won't waste too much time with the details here, other than to tell you that after my supremely delicious experience with the pretzel cone at Miller's Twist, I made a return trip, this time to try their butter pecan ice cream in a chocolate wafer cookie cone.

And I just want to report that it was very, very good as well. And to reiterate that if you are in Philadelphia, you must visit Miller's Twist!

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Frog Cupcakes

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you know that I love posting sweet pictures. Sometimes I post a daily feel-good photo on the site, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Today's feature: frog cupcakes from Belmar, New Jersey. These cupcakes are a tradition that crop up around the time of the town's annual St. Patrick's Day parade (which usually takes place in Belmar before March 17--don't ask me why). They are usually vanilla, with a dollop of pink frosting, topped with green fondant and decorated like frogs. When you take a bite of the head, it's pink inside. It's awful and awesome all at once.

Sweet Art: Pop-Tarts Vs. Toaster Strudel Death Match

Who do YOU think will win this battle?

The original is available for purchase here!

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Magical Unicorn Cupcake

Photo: GeekGirlConCakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to adding bits of sweetness to my daily surroundings, via sidewalk chalk, small cutouts, and the like--I call it "gentle street art". Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

This one is from a cupcake decorating event which took place recently at CakeSpy Shop! For the full set of photos, visit the GeekGirlCon Facebook page!

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Sugar Free Die Zone

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to adding bits of sweetness to my daily surroundings, via sidewalk chalk, small cutouts, and the like--I call it "gentle street art". Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

And this one is pretty self explanitory: that's about how I feel about THAT. 

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Happy Ice Cream Cones

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to adding bits of sweetness to my daily surroundings, via sidewalk chalk, small cutouts, and the like--I call it "gentle street art". Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Here's a sweet scene from CakeSpy Shop - a new batch of happy cones to decorate the store! Shop the entire CakeSpy Shop collection here.

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Image, Cookie Monster Ice Cream

CakeSpy Note: For no particular reason, other than to sweeten your day, I post a feel-good image here every now and again. Today's pick: a sweet treat I enjoyed in New Jersey recently, "Cookie Monster" ice cream from Hoffman's Ice Cream's Spring Lake, NJ location. What's "Cookie Monster" ice cream? Well, to the best of my taste buds, it's several types of cookies mashed into some blue tinted ice cream. Or maybe they just put the cookie monster in a blender? Either way, it was delicious and sweet and a very happy thing to eat.

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Birthday Cake Custard featuring Rainbows

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to adding bits of sweetness to my daily surroundings and sharing my sweet experiences. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Here is a short and true amusing anecdote for your viewing and listening pleasure--it is a real conversation I had today at Old School Frozen Custard.

Employee: Our flavor of the day is Birthday Cake Batter. Would you like to sample it?

Me: Actually I'd like a scoop in a cup, and can I get rainbow sprinkles?

Employee: It already has rainbow sprinkles in it.

Me: Well...then can I have more rainbow sprinkles?

The result? Well, you can see it for yourself. Taste the rainbow!

The Secret Lives of Cupcakes

What do cupcakes do after the bakery closes? This is a question I think about a lot. I like to imagine them as little elves, getting to the real work of misbehaving and making magic after hours. And after I received this wonderful batch of cupcakes decorated to look like my Cuppie character at the CakeSpy Official Book Launch Party, made by New York Cupcakes and wearing wrappers by Bella Cupcake Couture, I had a chance to see for myself. Here's what they did:

This little cupcake took a ride on a pug...

This little cupcake helped me bake...

This little cupcake considered cannibalism...

These little cupcakes like Bakerella...

This little cupcake didn't even know it was being hunted...

This little cupcake dreamed of unicorns...

This little cupcake enjoyed the harvest...

These little cupcakes hung out with some hotties...

This little cupcake made a big mess...

This little cupcake didn't fear death...

But perhaps he ought to have.

...the end.

Epilogue: a giveaway! For week 2 of the CakeSpy book giveaway bonanza, simply leave a comment on this post answering the question: have you ever encountered a sweet treat that was so cute that you couldn't eat it? Be honest. The winner will receive a signed copy of CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life and will be chosen at random on Thursday, October 27, at 5pm PST. Entrants from all over the world welcome!

Seeking Sweetness: The Most Awesome, Magical, and Sweet Cake Ever

Dear Readers,

There was a time when I thought I had (along with my friends Rachel and Kristan) created the most magical cake in the world.

But now, I know I am wrong. And the proof is in the photo evidence above. Now that cake is magical, people. It was the winning entry in Cake Central's Awesome! Magical! Sweet! cake decorating contest...the prize of which was, well, a signed copy of my newly-released book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life!

I, for one, could not imagine a more worthy winner. Here's her description of the cake: 

The cake is inspired by beautiful illustrations of Jessie Oleson. My daughter loved them so much that I had no choice but to make this cake. The first to be eaten was CCoggie (Cuppie Doggie), there are also Cuppie Boss, Cuppie Fairy, Player, Fitness Fanatic, Photographer, Pets and Sweets Lover, Decorator, Baseball Player and Awesome Cuppie Boss Worshhipper. The cake is vanilla, chocolate and strawberry cake, filling vanilla and cocconut IMBC, covered in fondant. Decorations fondant, gumpaste, marzipan, marshmallows and liquorice. Everything is edible (except wires and Rainbow Dust). 

...now, I may be biased, but that's pretty darn sweet. Let's have a look at some detail shots of the cake, ok?

Congratulations to the winner! Check out details of this magical cake, and browse through the other entries, on the Cake Central website!