Cake Byte: CakeSpy Going to the Emmy Awards with Duncan Hines

So, the other day, Duncan Hines called me and said "Yo, CakeSpy, want to go to the Emmy Awards?". Naturally I said yes. And now, I get to go buy myself a cute party dress in anticipation of hobnobbing with the likes of Jon Hamm and other TV stars.

Well, OK, that didn't really happen. But I do get to go to the Emmy Awards, compliments of Duncan Hines.

I know, I know, I know what you're thinking. "How on earth did this happen?".

Here's the deal. Apparently, Duncan Hines has a program called "Fans in the Stands" wherein the company (an Emmy sponsor, I imagine) sends a handful of cake-lovin' food bloggers to the awards show, where we get to stand not on, but near the red carpet. This is totally fine with me, as I have never even been in the same zip code as a red carpet before. 

And I'm one of those lucky few; apparently they liked what I said in this NY Times article, and they invited me along. Woot! I will be joined by a few other bloggy superstars: Nicole of Baking Bites (who I met at Wilton!), Anna of Cookie Madness (who came to my store!), and Erika of In Erika's Kitchen (who I met in NYC!).

So what does this mean for you? Basically, I am telling you that on Sunday, September 18, you should stay tuned to my Twitter and Facebook feeds because I will tell you all about the celebrity hobnobbing and delicious desserts I am eating.

Thank you, Duncan Hines! I can't wait for my close-up.

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Coming to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair, September 10 and 11, 2011

Get excited, Chicago. Get VERY excited. For a few reasons.

For one thing, I'm coming your way for the Renegade Craft Fair next weekend, September 10 and 11! And I will have onesies, socks, original art, prints, and a ton of cards (among other products) to sell to you. Oh, and--just saying--I'll have my book, too. And I will totally sign it for you, after you pay for it.

You'll find me and my crafty BFF AbbeyChristine cute-ing it up at the fair...come say hi! 

But before the Renegade Craft fair, there's also a totally sweet event on September 9 at Busy Beaver Buttons: the Superhero Button Release Party. I designed some buttons for the series! Read more about my button designs here.

For details on the Renegade Craft Fair, visit the official site! But I'll tell you right now, it's both days next weekend, September 10 and 11, 2011, from 11-7 both days.

But wait, there's more! I will be staying a day or two extra in the Chicagoland area so that I can do a mural at Bleeding Heart Bakery! Yeah! (as you know, I have done murals in Minneapolis and Seattle!)

Oh, and did I mention the most important part? I will actually be driving to the fair from Seattle...making a pastry road trip of the journey! Look out for updates on sweets from Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Minnesota and more while I work my way over to Chicago! And of course, feel free to pass on any suggestions along the way.

Gimme S'more: S'more Gelato Sandwiches by Ciao Bella Gelato

As I have mentioned, I've been pretty obsessed with gelato as of late. And while I'm not boarding a plane to indulge in a Gelato Diet in Italy (yet), recently, some sweet treats (packed in dry ice, natch!) hopped a plane right to my house, directly from Ciao Bella Gelato.

Having visited their San Francisco and New York locations, naturally I was excited to see these sweet treats arrive at my doorstep: a pack of sorbet pops, S'more Gelato, and Gelato S'more Sandwiches.

The winner of the batch, for me? The S'morewiches. Filled with rich, creamy belgian chocolate gelato swirled with marshmallow, these two graham wafers acted like bookends to the most delicious story. A story that you'll want to eat up til the end.

The S'more gelato was also delicious, the same stuff used as filling in the sandwiches, but, you know, easily eaten by the pint (wait, there's more than one serving in that?).

The sorbet pops were tasty, but I'll admit: I was wary of their 70-calorie packaging. It made me feel like I was eating health food.

They also sent me a copy of their book, The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato and Sorbetto: Bold, Fresh Flavors to Make at Home. I haven't tried anything from it yet, but people: there is a recipe for a tricolor gelato cake in it. NOM!

But I'd absolutely buy the s'more gelato or the sandwiches again!

For more information or where to buy, visit the Ciao Bella website!

Seeking Sweetness: Daily Snapshot, Editing Memories

CakeSpy Note: if you follow me on facebook or Twitter, you probably know I'm partial to observing (and sometimes adding) sweetness in the natural world and urban landscape. Here's where I post a daily feel-good photo or image, for no particular reason other than to showcase these sweet little nothings, in hopes that they'll make you smile.

Here's a sweet shot I took when finishing up edits on my book (which is now AVAILABLE online and at the CakeSpy Shop)...it's amazing to think that it's gone from red pen detail-checking to an upcoming Tour De Sweet Book Tour!

Sweet States: North Dakota Destinations

Chocolate covered potato chips from Carol Widman'sYou know what's totally sweet? Getting great bakery suggestions. And with my upcoming road trip to Chicago, I'm seeking out the best places from much of sea to shining sea. Happily, Cake Gumshoe Erika, who resides in North Dakota, was kind enough to send me this wonderful list of bakery suggestions for her state! They are listed alphabetically:

The Donut Hole: My favorite place! My father and I used to go every Saturday morning when I was a child and I remember going as though it were yesterday. The store in Fargo closed quite a while ago, however I surprised my dad with a doughnut cake from The Donut Hole last year and I know that he, just like me is looking forward to another cake this year. If you go and you should, I highly recommend the Norwegian Sour Cream doughnut, French Swirl with chocolate and chocolate cookies with chocolate frosting. 1914 North 12th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501.

 

Photo: Nichole's Fine PastryNichole's Fine Pastry: The desserts are really great, especially the seven layer bar. nicholesfinepastry.com

Sweet Dreams Confections: Such great candy, treats and gelato. Also, the owners are the sweetest people ever. sweetdreamsconfections.com

 

Widman's Candy: Chocolate Covered Potato Chips: best combo ever. They are famous and Widman's has the best. carolwidmanscandy.com

Thanks, Erika! If anyone has any other North Dakota suggestions (or suggestions for any state, really), feel free to chime in!

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links

Happy weekend, sweeties! Is it a long weekend for you? Hope so! Either way though, start it sweetly with these links:

Sweet and funny! South Park Cupcakes by C for Cupcake Cupcakery!

Hold on to your cajetas! Delicious goat-milk cajeta and caramels by Fiore di Capra!

In Seattle, Fall begins with Frost! Doughnuts, that is.

My friend Phil says "Fudge...has a rather interesting history." It's true! Read more here.

I scream, you scream...discover Pie-Scream! 

Sweet: The Chocolate Cult enjoys CakeSpy as the Cult of Cute!

Black and Tan Brownies: tailgate your dessert! NOM!

A sweet show-and-tell: King 5 Dishes with Trophy Cupcakes!

Tasty-lookin' macarons from Pamplemousse in Redwood City...but watch your handbags in SF!

She wore...no, ate...blue velvet cake!?!?

I must go here: Cakeology in Boston!

More delicious than the Ramones: Gobba Gobba Hey: A Gob Cookbook

Aside from the virtuous-sounding raisins (kidding), these oatmeal cookies stuffed with frosting sound amazing.

BangBang Pie and Coffee: roving sweet treats in Chicago!

Cereal-ly delicious: Caramel Pudding Pie in a Rice Krispie Treat crust!

Road Trip to Chicago: What Bakeries Should CakeSpy Visit?

Guess what, sweeties? I'm coming to Chicago for the Renegade Craft fair, and staying a little extra time to do a totally sweet mural at one of the Bleeding Heart Bakery locations (I think the Oak Park one).

But here's the thing. I'm DRIVING to Chicago, and I need your help! What bakeries should I visit on the way?

I am listing my "best case scenario" including all the bakeries I'd like to visit, but of course I realize that based on a limited schedule, I might not make it to all of them. But let me know if there are any great bakeries (or regional specialties in a given area) that I should make sure to try!

Washington:

Yakima: 

• Essencia Artisan Bakery

Spokane

• Mary Lou's Milk Bottle
• Petit Chat
• Rocket Bakery

Idaho:

Coeur d'alene:

• Bella Rose Bakery
• Frosted Cupcakes 

Montana:

Missoula:

• Bernice's Bakery
• Big Dipper Ice Cream
• Le Petit Outre

Bozeman:

• Sweetpea Bakery

 Billings:

• Caramel Cookie Waffles

 Wyoming:

Sheridan:

• Java Moon

South Dakota:

Chamberlain 

• Indulge

Rapid City:

• Piece of Cake

Sioux Falls: 

• Cookie Jar

Minnesota:

Rochester: 

• Daube's
• Gingerbread Factory

Wisconsin:

Osseo, WI:

• Norske Nook

Madison:

• Daisy Cafe
• Ella's Deli
• Marigold Kitchen

Columbus: 

• Sassy Cow Creamery

Illinois:

Chicago:

• Bittersweet
• Black Dog Gelato
• Bleeding Heart Bakery (duh)
• BangBang Pie and Coffee
• Dinkel's
• Hoosier Mama Pie for the Friday night Pie Flights!
• Medici Bakery
• Molly's Cupcakes
• Patisserie P
• Red Hen Bread
• Sweet Mandy B's
• also, maybe I can catch Flirty Cupcakes (a mobile cupcake truck) 

Oak Park:

• Sugar Fixe 

Add destinations to the comments section or to the CakeSpy Facebook page!

Sweet September: Cupcake Royale Debuts New Flavors for the Month

Say goodbye to summer, but don't say goodbye to delicious: Cupcake Royale has just debuted its September flavors, just in time for Back To School (or, you know, thursday). Here's the 411 on the new flavors:

Huckleberry Cupcakes! This baby starts with local huckleberries (fresh, as in they were picked this past weekend) folded into into their vanilla cupcake and top it with a huckleberry buttercream frosting. This cupcake brings all the bears to the yard. CCR has partnered with local farm Foraged & Found Edibles to provide them with their huckleberry crop this year. In case you don’t know what a huckleberry is, think of it as the little brother to a blueberry but with even more flavor.

Peanut Butter and Jam, sitting in a tree. This classic combo has our vanilla cupcake, filled with fresh local strawberry jam (fresh, as in they made it last week) topped with a super fluffy, salty peanut butter buttercream. Sprinkled with chopped peanuts and a coarse sugar and sea salt.

Now through September 30th at all five of their cafes. For locations and hours, visit cupcakeroyale.com.

Cake Byte: New York Cupcakes to Open a New Location in Seattle

New York Cupcakes is a complicated business in some ways. 

First, it was owned by one person, who had locations in Bellevue and Seattle. I will tell you the truth: they kind of sucked. 

Then it was purchased by someone else--the current owner, Lisa--who consolidated the business to one Bellevue location. Her baking totally ruled, and it made me believe in the company again, and even love it. 

And now, they're returning to Seattle, in the spot formerly lived-in by Bella Dolce (I quite enjoyed their red velvet and coconut cake!). 

But the long and winding road of ownership and locations aside, one thing is not complicated: the fact that their cupcakes are delicious.

And Seattleites have much to look forward to with the new location, because aside from offering up sweet treats, it's also going to be a freaking adorable place to visit. Need proof? Here are some progress shots from inside:

Cute counter...I love this floor!Freaking out about the pink fridge and chandeliers!...and for lovers of the now-gone Bella Dolce, YES, New York Cupcakes will be offering Red Velvet and Coconut flavors--and they will also be selling CakeSpy cards in the store!

Look out for the new location to open by the end of September; for more info, visit the New York Cupcakes website.

Cake Byte: Molly Moon's Ice Cream to Open Queen Anne Location

Guess what, Seattle? As the weather cools down, the ice cream scene heats up: Queen Anne is going to get its own Molly Moon's Ice Cream Shop! It's true. I just received a press release:

Molly Moon Neitzel today announced the opening date of her fifth Seattle-based scoop shop, located at 321 W. Galer St. in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Molly Moon’s Queen Anne, the neighborhood’s soon-to-be most popular hangout is slated to open at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Queen Anne residents proved to be Seattle’s most-devoted ice cream eaters this past winter by paying multiple visits to Moon’s big, blue ice cream truck and posting their appreciation for Moon’s creamy, frozen deliciousness on the company’s Facebook page. Kids of the “Shop 3, Where Will it Be?” winning ‘hood are welcome to enjoy complementary scoops at the opening.

“I can’t wait to share our homemade ice cream, sundaes and milk shakes with the people of Queen Anne,” said Neitzel. “I have put so much thought in to the design of the Queen Anne shop, making sure that it fit in perfectly with the neighborhood’s sophisticated vibe. I hope the community enjoys creating memorable moments over scoops of our classic and whimsical flavors.”

In celebration of Moon’s long-awaited Queen Anne opening, kids 12 years of age and under, who visit the shop on Thursday, Sept. 15 between 3 and 5 p.m. will receive a complementary kid-sized scoop of their favorite flavor. Molly Moon’s Queen Anne will be open daily from 12-noon to 11 p.m. beginning Friday, Sept. 16.

 For more info, visit the Molly Moon's Website!