Sweet March: Irish Cake Bomb Cupcakes from Cupcake Royale

Get ready for some sweet, boozy awesomeness this March at Cupcake Royale!

They're bringing on the sweet season with "Irish Cake Bomb"...and it's pretty amazing!

Luck of the Irish is coming early with our booziest cupcake yet! Introducing the Irish Cake Bomb. Chocolate cake made with Elliot Bay No Doubt Stout, filled with a Jameson Whiskey buttercream frosting and kissed with an Irish Cream whipped frosting. Get ready to do an Irish jig!

But wait, there's more:

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Come by and enjoy our Whiskey Maple Bacon, made with Jameson's Whiskey or a Peppermint Party- Our cupcakes will be dressed up for the occasion

For more information or to order these cakes, visit the Cupcake Royale website.

Book. Number. Two.

I'd like to make a very happy, sweet, and sugar-and-love-coated announcement.

The announcement is that I have a book deal.

My second book deal.

That's right: CakeSpy's second book is in the works!

I know, I know. You're still reeling from the awesomeness of book one, published through Sasquatch Books and entitled CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life , which was featured on the Today Show, and which LA Weekly dubbed one of the "best 2011 baking books for those in need of a Martha Stewart Detox".

Gosh, maybe you haven't even bought the book yet. But it's totally ok, because you can still purchase the book here, here, and here. Go ahead and do that now.

But I digress. Back to book #2!

This one, also published through Sasquatch Books, is going to be super-special to me, as it is going to delve into the interesting history and back-stories behind many of my favorite sweet treats. It's going to be totally intellectual. And totally amusing. Perfect for the baked-goods buff, exploring the lure and lore of your favorite treats!

Now, don't start holding your breath for it *quite* yet, as its scheduled publication isn't til 2013 (that's after this year)...but I know you're going to be giving me e-high fives and cyber-hugs and keeping me motivated and on deadline til then! Right? Right?

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and my work--I couldn't have gotten book deal #2 without YOU!

And the Winner Is...

OK, sweeties. I know you've been just dying to hear the results of our totally sweet "So You Wanna Be a CakeSpy?" contest! 

To remind you, this contest is inspired by my awesome book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life (October 2011). And the prizes were incredible--winner receives an all expenses paid trip to Seattle to hang out and eat cake with ME!

And I want you to know why it's taken such a long time to decide.

Because first, there were hundreds of entries. And we (a committee of me, trusted baker friends, and Sasquatch Books staffers) had to narrow it down to just 30 finalists. Man, that was hard!

And then, I opened it up to readers to vote for their favorite in whatever they'd like--facebook likes, Flickr likes, comments on the site, and even in email or Twitter form. Sheesh! Were they ever difficult to count up!

And then, after they were counted up, I said "I simply cannot do this anymore! How can I decide!" and took the pressure off of myself by taking myself out of the final voting process, instead passing on the top 5 based on votes, and had the committee to the final voting for me.

The finalists were judged on creativity, craveability, and overall embodiment of the CakeSpy spirit.

And, without further delay, here are the three winners.

Grand Prize: Neapolitan Blondie Bars by Molly Allen! Per committee input: "not rainbow but multi-hued, and certainly whimsical and rich and delicious in the CakeSpy tradition." Molly wins: The Grand Prize, provided in partnership with Sasquatch Books--a trip for two to CakeSpy headquarters in Seattle and a visit to one of MY favorite bakeries for an afternoon of sweet treats. Other prizes include original signed CakeSpy artwork, CakeSpy goodies such as unicorn socks, and signed copies of CakeSpy Presents.

Prize 2: The "Veruca" by Mary P.! (finalist 28). Per committee input: "Brownie GOOD marshmallow GOOD choc Rice Crispy treat GOOD". Mary wins a copy of my book and a gift certificate to CakeSpy Shop!

Prize 3: Frau Brownies by Linda H.! Per committee input: "I think I just gained 20 pounds. In the best way possible." Linda wins a copy of the book and a gift certificate to CakeSpy Shop!

But even after taking myself out of the voting, I've decided that I simply couldn't ignore the awesome factor and am therefore assigning two more "Honarable Awesome" prizes--each will get a signed copy of the CakeSpy book, AND a pair of cupcake unicorn robot socks! These will go to:

Cookie Time! By Blondie & Brownie

Agent Oink's Funfetti Cake Balls (Finalist 19)

If you're a winner, congratulations! We'll get in contact over the weekend for your deets. Thank you to EVERYONE who entered the contest - you are all truly an inspiration and have made me feel so sweet indeed.

CakeSpy's Twinkie Killing Spree Featured on CNN!

You guys. My Twinkie Killing Spree is apparently big news--not only has it been called "mostly stupid" by Eater SF, but it was also featured on CNN! (Am I the only one who sees the humor in that sentence?

Watch the video on CNN by clicking the clip above, or find the link here. I'm also mentioned on their Eatocracy blog! And congratulate me on my entry into Twinkie Pop Culture history!

CakeSpy Book Featured on The Today Show!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Dudes. Dudettes.

My book was totally on the TODAY Show!!!

Really, I've said all the big news--watch the video for yourself by playing the video clip above, or clicking here.

A big huge thanks to Jennifer Pooley for suggesting me for the segment, and to John Searles for choosing my sweet little book!

If you're excited about CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life, well, it's conveniently available at Urban Outfitters, Barnes and Noble, and many other fine retailers. Also don't forget to enter this totally sweet contest to enter to win an all expenses paid trip to Seattle to come eat cake with me!

Sweet December: Cupcake Royale Debuts the Boozy Rumball Cupcake

Don't fall into a holi-daze.

Rather, eat a boozy cake and stay in sweet spirits!

Totally sweet news: Cupcake Royale has debuted a new flavor, the "Boozy Rumball", for December. Described as "a cupcake that takes the edge off...we add a generous pour of Meyer's Dark Rum into our rich and spicy frosting and then roll it in a streusel of walnuts and cinnamon atop our delicious chocolate cake." 

One is inclined, as they advise, to "think of it as holiday's little helper!".

This cupcake will be available daily (while supplies last, of course) all November long at Cupcake Royale locations (where you can also buy my book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life , btw). For directions and more info, visitcupcakeroyale.com.

CakeSpy Featured on Joy The Baker's Podcast!

Now here's some exciting news. Joy The Baker has a new podcast, and I've been featured on it!

Please, allow me to introduce it to you by quoting what she said on her website:

I host a new podcast too!  It’s called We’re About to Be Friends.  Every episode I talk to someone that I admire and adore.  I call up people I’m obsessed with, I ask them all the nosey questions I can think of, and by the end of the podcast I hope to call them my friend.

I’ve chatted with Jessie Oleson from Cakespy!

Aarti Sequeira from The Food Netowrk’s Aarti Party is a sparkle pony (that’s totally a good thing!).

And Sara Kate, founding editor of The Kitchn, is a total inspiration.  There’s lots of big personalities and dear hearts in the future so please please please get your listen on… especially if you’re as nosey as me.

We have big guests coming up.  Heck yes… I got to chat with Bakerella!  It was awesome.  I don’t want you to miss this stuff.  Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe on iTunes to stay up on all of the good!

We also have a new podcast called The Because Show.   Jerilyn, Susan, and Amy are three working moms that don’t talk about work or momming.  It’s straightforward lady talk.  I dig it and I hope you do too!

For the podcast featuring me, click here.

Pie Time: Meet CakeSpy Contributor Teeny Lamothe, Pie-Maker

CakeSpy Note: Do I ever have exciting news for you. CakeSpy's got a new contributor, who focuses on pie! Just don't call her PieSpy: her name is Teeny Lamothe, and she's touring the country as a pie apprentice at various bakeries. She's going to chime in with her sweet discoveries and observations on the way! But I've spoken enough--let me allow her to introduce herself.

Hello CakeSpies! My name is Teeny Lamothe and I'm a lady pie baker on a very important quest for pie knowledge. While your number one Spy has begun touring around toting treats and books (hooray!) I've just embarked on a 'tour of pie.'

You're probably wondering what a 'Tour of Pie' entails... It's essentially my way of paying homage to the old world notion that apprenticing is the most vital and thorough way to learn a trade. I'm going all over the United States to apprentice at a slew of different pie shops in order to learn as much as I can before embarking on my own lady bakership. I've invented an individually educational trip in which I get to bake with pie mentors every day, dousing myself in flour and fillings and helping little bits of fruit and sugar fulfill their pie destinies. Check out my pie musings at teenypies.tumblr.com and support pie here.

Look out for Teeny's entries starting later on this week!

CakeSpy Recipes Featured in Food & Wine Magazine!

So, here's what you're going to do today (or tomorrow, or at least before you get in the kitchen to bake Christmas cookies).

1. Exit your house.

2. Proceed to the closest bookstore or grocery store or newsstand.

3. Obtain a copy of the December issue of Food & Wine Magazine.

4. Turn to page 84, where you will discover a photo of adorable Baby Buche de Noel cookies. Man, do you ever want to make those!

5. Flip the page to find the recipe for aforementioned cookies, as well as Eggnog-stuffed cookies...and delight in the fact that they were both contributed by ME! CAKESPY!

It's true: I was hit up to contribute some recipes for the most recent issue, and am so delighted to be featured alongide with baking heroes Danny Cohen of Danny Macaroons and Malika Ameen of By M Desserts . It's quite a thrill!

To read the article online, visit Food and Wine!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy at Crafty Wonderland, December 10 and 11 in Portland, OR

OMG, Portland. You thought it was awesome when I came for book tour, but I have news.

I'm coming back. And I'll have books and more to sell you.

That's right: I'll be back in the city of Roses on December 10+11 for Crafty Wonderland!

As they describe themselves,

TWO DAYS – TWICE THE FUN!
at the Oregon Convention Center
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, Exhibit - HALL C

OVER 250 VENDORS SELLING AMAZING HANDMADE GOODS!
FREE CRAFT ACTIVITIES AND MORE!
It's more important than ever to SHOP LOCAL + BUY HANDMADE!

All Ages * Free Admission
Goodie Bags for the first 150 shoppers EACH DAY! 

So, to review:

Dates: December 10 and 11 (saturday and sunday), 2011
Location: Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Boulevard, Hall C (there will be signs everywhere) - my booth is #173
Times: 11-6 both days.

For more info, visit craftywonderland.com!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy at Urban Craft Uprising, December 3 and 4 in Seattle!

Oh, get ready, sweeties.

It's that wonderful time of year when Urban Craft Uprising comes around, and as usual, I will be selling totally sweet stuff at this massive and magic-filled holiday art sale in Seattle.

Here are the details:

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011
Times: 11-5 each day
Location: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 321 Mercer Street (click here to find it on a map and get directions)

I'll also be doing book signings, and of course will have plenty of books, cards, and art to sell you at my booth.

You can visit the Urban Craft Uprising blog to read an interview with me and enter to win a copy of my book in advance; for more info about the sale and the other awesome vendors, visit urbancraftuprising.com!

CakeSpy's Book is Going To Be on the Today Show!

Because I kind of feel like showing off at this moment, I'd like to tell you the following:

My book is totally going to be on the TODAY Show.

While I myself will not be eating deep-fried cupcakes on a stick with Matt, Ann, Al, and Natalie, my book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life, WILL be appearing as part of a holiday book round-up in a segment by John Searles. The segment has already taped and is scheduled to air on 12/3/11. 

As my bloggy BFF Jennifer Pooley (who is also the one who suggested my book to Mr. Searles! I love this girl.) says:

Thrilled that John Searles fell in love with my favorite spy & her book!  The Today Show holiday gift round up for books taped today and will air on December 3rd. Meanwhile check out this flashback post from November 24, 2010 on “the book I want to give as holiday gifts.” Wishes keep coming true every. single. day.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my book already, and here's to sweet holiday tidings for all! This is truly like Christmas coming early for me.

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Featured in Edible Seattle!

Well, excuse me while I go ahead and feel like a big, famous person: my book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life, was featured in the November-December Edible Seattle! My sincere thanks for the feature.

Check out Edible Seattle here!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy on TV in San Francisco!

Guess what? I was totally on TV talking about my favorite type of corn aside from unicorns: CANDY CORN! Yes, that's right: I was on KGO-TV's 7Live.

You can watch the video online here, if it isn't loading above.

But wait, there's more! I was amazed and delighted to find that Kevin Smith and Jay Mewes were also guests on the show--directly before my segment! Now, you probably already think this is awesome, but considering that they are from the same area of New Jersey as me, it was practically cause for a heart attack of happiness. 

But wait, there's even more! After the segment, I got to meet these two fellows, and found them to be extremely sweet, and delighted to accept my offering of Candy Corn Nanaimo Bars. That's right: Jay and Silent Bob ate my candy corn Nanaimo bars. Famous Nanaimo Bars! One of the producers took a picture, which I will share as soon as it's sent to me, OK?

Best day ever. Make the good times last--come to one of my book signings this weekend, at Teacake Bake Shop and Omnivore Books, respectively!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy's Book Launch Party Totally Ruled

Photo: Dennis ChaoLike, OMG. If you missed the official CakeSpy Book Launch Party, there's not much to say other than "dude. You missed out." 

I was amazed (and rather humbled) to find that at about 5.30, people started forming a line outside. A freaking line! To buy my book! OMG! 

It was a star-studded affair, with attendees ranging from neighborhood folk, friends, fans, and even some celebrities, including, oh, the editor of Edible Seattle to Cake Central staffers to celebrity pastry chef Neil Robertson to writer and Spilled Milk podcaster Matthew Amster-Burton...as well as my parents and my little sister.

There was also rainbow cake, as well as several other sweets from the book; and New York Cupcakes provided a lovely display of cupcakes, dressed up in Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers--some of which were decorated to look like my Cuppie character!

Cupcakes made by New York CupcakesOh, and there was champagne too, to put people in a book-buyin' mood (it worked).

Here's a slideshow of some highlights from a totally sweet evening! But don't panic too much if you missed it: I have a whole book tour ahead.

CakeSpy Official Book Launch on October 13 in Seattle!

OK, sweeties. Consider this your official reminder: this Thursday is the Official CakeSpy Book Launch Party at CakeSpy Shop in Seattle!

I will be there. My parents (from NJ) will be there. I will have books to sell you. And there will be cake.

Here are the details.

What to expect: an informal open-house type setting where we will have cake and treats (I will have 4-5 types of sweets made from recipes in the book!), alcohol (woooo!), original artwork as featured in the book on sale in the gallery, and my lovely little self on hand to sign the books which you should plan on buying. 

• Date: Thursday, October 13 (this is also the night of the Cap. Hill art walk!)
• Time: 6pm-9pm
• Location: CakeSpy Shop, 415 E. Pine Street, Seattle, WA; online at cakespyshop.com

But wait, there's more! Because I hate being at an event and waiting for people to arrive fashionably late (don't make me wait all alone in my party dress, people!), I would like to give you an incentive to come early: the first three guests will receive a FREE copy of the book!! That's right. You just mention this post and if you're one of the first three, you'll get the book at NO COST. And I will still sign it for you.

But even if you can't make it to this awesome event of the century, there are more chances to get your hands on my book over the next few days in Seattle:

• Friday, October 14: Book Larder in Fremont, details TBA
• Saturday, October 15: Sweet Meet-Up at Cupcake Royale of Capitol Hill, 1111 E. Pike, 7-9 pm - more details here!
• Monday, October 17: Cupcake Royale of Bellevue, 3-5 pm! More details here.

For the rest of the tour dates, click here! To purchase the book in advance, visit cakespyshop.com or hit up Elliott Bay Books. Or win a copy here.

Sweet Feature by Bakerella: About This Time Last Year...

Photo of my book by BakerellaAbout this time last year, I had one of the sweetest days of my life while working at CakeSpy Shop, my retail store in Seattle.

First, a friend surprised me by sending me a pie. Now, if you ask me, this is a much sweeter gesture than sending flowers. It's like sending flour!

Then, my friend Rebekah Denn came to interview me for what would eventually be this article.

And then--OMG--my longtime baking and blogging BFF, Bakerella, and her sweet friend Julie, came to visit. Bakerella, who is kind of a big deal in case you didn't know, happened to be in town for her book tour (a book which has proven so successful, by the way, that there are now notecards and cake pop kits to accompany it!).

Bakerella is the one who made this little video for me--and after that we waged a little bit of sweet warfare. (Check out our other sweet exchanges here.)

And now, she has stirred up that sweet warfare again with this make-me-blush feature on me and my work and my book. It makes me so happy to see how much can happen in a year, but how no matter what changes, our friendship--the sweetest part of the whole thing-- is for keeps. 

Check out Bakerella's sweet writeup here!

Buy My Book! And a Giveaway Too

Dudes and dudettes. You knew this day was coming, and now it is here.

My book is now out--it is in stores, and available online. If I do say so myself, it is a masterpiece of cookbookery, and if you don't trust me, then trust my mom, because she agrees (and she has promised to buy at least three copies at full retail price, although she hasn't paid me yet).

But I digress. Basically what I am saying here is: My book is out, and therefore, It Is Time for You to Buy My Book.

How to buy it? You can purchase a signed copy directly from me here; you can purchase a regular (unsigned) copy from Amazon (be sure to give it a glowing review!) , Barnes and Noble, Elliott Bay Books, Powell's Books, or find a local bookseller here. OR, I find it acceptable to wait if you'd like to buy one from me on my national bakery book tour, Tour De Sweet!

But because you've been so patient, I'm willing to give away one copy of the book per week for the next four weeks. Wow, lucky you! 

How do you put yourself in the running this week? Since it's October and officially Halloween Month, simply leave a comment on this post or on my Facebook page answering this important question: Candy Corn or Mellowcreme Pumpkins? And Why? I'll pick one lucky winner one week from today (10/13) and send them a signed copy of the book! Because I'm feeling generous, this giveaway is open to the US and abroad!

Cake Byte: Cupcake Royale Debuts the Pumpkin Cardamom Cupcake for October

Photo: Cupcake RoyaleThe month of Huckleberry and Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcakes at Cupcake Royale is over.

But don't cry, because there's a new cupcake in town for October: Pumpkin Cardamom!

Per the sweet folks at Cupcake Royale (did I mention I am having a book signing event there on October 15 in Capitol Hill, and October 17 in Bellevue?):

Our dense pumpkin cake is loaded with pureed pumpkin, locally sourced from Stahlbush Islands Farms. We top each cake with a generous swirl of cardamom cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with tiny, autumn leaves of sugar. It tastes almost like a pumpkin pie. 

But don't take our word for it. Here's what Seattle Weekly had to say in last year's poll for Best Fall Cupcake Frosting Flavors. “Everyone who tried this independently gave the review "Hands down, the winner." (No really, everyone said "hands down." This cupcake is just that good.)” - Seattle Weekly

Dense and creamy; sweet and spicy—this cupcake is the perfect way to welcome autumn.

These sweet treats will be available all October long at Cupcake Royale locations; for directions and more info, visit their website.

Cake Byte: Trophy Cupcakes Debuts Caramel Apple Cupcakes for October

Image: Trophy Cupcakes

Fall in Washington state can be a depressing prospect: the start of our annual 9 months of rainy winter.

But at least the apples are top-notch. And for the month of October, Trophy Cupcakes and Party is going to be offering up a delicious addition to their menu: Caramel Apple Cupcakes!

Per their most recent email,

More importantly, this new Trophy confection is the perfect dessert for all fall parties, including National Caramel Apple Day on Oct. 21. Imagine the smiles on little ones’ faces when these cupcakes are unveiled at their Halloween or harvest celebrations!

Trophy’s newest cake boasts chopped, organic Granny Smith apples from Washington, warm fall spices, organic cane sugar, and of course, local dairy and eggs. The spiced-apple cake is topped with Trophy’s house-made caramel infused buttercream, and is edged in toasted pecans, and finished with a drizzle of more homemade caramel sauce, a pretzel stem and a green wafer leaf.

“Caramel apples are a childhood favorite of mine and I knew the only way I would be happy with it as a cupcake was if I could really taste both the crisp, tart apples and the buttery caramel,” said Trophy Cupcakes and Party owner, Jennifer Shea. “By hand chopping the apples and making our caramel from scratch, we nailed it! This cupcake is my new favorite and I hope everyone who tries it loves it as much as I do!”

Caramel Apple cupcakes debut tomorrow, Sat., Oct 1, at Trophy Cupcakes and Party retail locations at Wallingford Center, University Village and The Bravern, and will be available for purchase for $4 throughout the month of October. To order Trophy’s Caramel Apple cupcakes, please call 206.632.7020; for locations, visit the Trophy Cupcakes website.