Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

Though this article is geared toward caterers, the "How to Plan a Dessert Menu" section is interesting!

Peter Pan Donuts (a CakeSpy favorite!) in Brooklyn, NY has debuted the donut ice cream sandwich. (thanks Lauren!)

Over at BUST Magazine, Ice cream flavors + book titles = a plethora of puns

Rice Krispie Treats filled with ice cream: Pure genius!

Blondie & Brownie's adorable entry to the Threadcakes contest will make you want to coo over the cuteness.

CakeSpy reported on how awesome the new Cupcake Royale location is, and the New York Times agrees!

Learn a life skill: How to carve a watermelon baby carriage.

Nope: still don't think that Whoopie Pies are the next big thing. But Gourmet's Zucchini Whoopie pies sure do look delicious.

Butterfingers, all grown up and in a gorgeous cake.

They're raw. They're balls. They look delicious.

Aran of Cannelle et Vanille has set up an online food styling and photography portfolio. It's delightful.

CakeSpy buddy Nurit tries out Tom Douglas's famous Triple Coconut Cream Pie, with yummy results.

In case you missed it, I'll tell you again: CakeSpy has collaborated with All-Mighty, with adorable results.

Stick It: Amazing Pie Lollipops by Luxirare

(Photo via Luxirare)

Are you still eating your pie with a knife and fork, like a jerk?

Time to get with the program: discover Luxirare's Pie Lollipops.

When I recently came across these Pie Lollipops, it made me want to cry. Why so? First, because I hadn't thought of it myself. Second, because I can't believe I've lived so long without them.

These Pie Lollipops are bite-sized morsels of pie in various flavors, with crinkled edges to hold in the delicious fillings. They work on just so many levels: they capitalize on the fact that small things are adorable and desire-inducing; their small, accessible size makes it possible to sample a few bites of multiple flavors without feeling immense regret afterward; and, they just fuel my deep belief that food simply tastes better on a stick.

To see the step-by-step tutorial, visit luxirare.com.

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

Here are some of the sweet things that have inspired me lately:

Amy Atlas and Aran of Cannelle et Vanille collaborate, sweetly, with gorgeous pictures (above, used with permission) of an inspiring Moroccan-themed dessert table.

Bakerella's petits-fours might just prompt me to write a love poem.

Savory Sweet Life says "break free of the topless green mermaid": DIY Frappuccinos are deliciously creamy, and won't break the bank.

Control freaks rejoice: at Perfect Flavor, you can choose your own ice cream adventure by designing custom flavors.

Chez Shauna, I tasted the best gluten-free cake I've ever had, made by Lorna Yee. Oh Lorna, how I hope you will post the recipe.

Lara Ferroni combines doughnuts with margaritas with gorgeous and delicious results: say hello to the margarita doughnut.

Megan Seling's interesting article on the dessert explosion (in Seattle and beyond!) and why it must be stopped (yes, I'm quoted in the article!).

Baking Bites recently did a feature on DIY Butterscotch Krimpets. Anyone who grew up in the greater Philadelphia area understands why this is so awesome.

If you haven't been keeping up with the Brownie Bake-Off series on the Al Dente Blog, then now is definitely the time to click over for the decadent Katharine Hepburn Brownie recipe.

RecipeGirl combines cookies and cupcakes to attain a new level of awesome with the Peanut Butter Cookie Cupcake. Oh yes.

If you love cake, and you love cute, you'll probably love Less Apathy More Cake!

Shuna's writeup on plated desserts is pure poetry.

Unexpected cake find: The Rendez-Vous in Seattle is a bar and music venue--but they also have a respectable selection of house-made cakes! Because there's no better combination than cake, booze and music.

Cinema and Sugar: Movies To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Sometimes, simply eating baked goods isn't enough. You just want to live, breathe and exist in a warm shell of pastry or cake. But not, you know, in a creepy way.

How better to feed your obsession than by enjoying movies which prominently feature sweet treats? Grab your milk duds, dim the lights and dig in:

(Note: This list is not necessarily comprehensive; feel free to leave a comment with any movies that you think should be added!)

American Pie: Of course, this one features what is probably the most infamous pie scene in cinema.

 Animal House: As one CakeSpy reader put it, "I love the food fight scene. Watching Bluto load his tray up with donuts and jello..."

 Babette's Feast: Who cares what else they eat, "the grand finale dessert is 'Savarin au Rhum avec des Figues et Fruit Glacée' (rum sponge cake with figs and glacéed fruits). Numerous rare wines, including Clos de Vougeot, along with various champagnes and spirits, complete the menu."

The Bakery Girl of Monceau: A film in which the hero engages in "pastries and flirting with the salesgirl, a law student (Barbet Schroeder) surrenders to his appetites as he hangs out at a bakery."

Because I Said So: Featuring Mandy Moore as a baker who is secure in the kitchen but unsure about love.
Big Night: This movie mainly features savory foods, but the timpano is carbohydratey enought to warrant a mention.

Blood & Donuts: In which a vampire falls for a woman working in a donut shop. 
Buffalo 66: A heart-shaped cookie figures into the plot in this movie.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: In oh, so many ways.
Chocolat: If chocolate is your dessert weapon of choice, you simply must see this movie. In fact, I can't believe you haven't already.
Dear Lemon Lima: A brand-new film which just made its debut at the LA Film Festival, which prominently features cupcake artwork...by CakeSpy!

The Devil Wears Prada: No, food isn't in the foreground of this film, but Anne Hathaway's character does try to make nice with that dreamy Adrian Grenier by bringing him a cupcake.
Down To You: Not sure how dessert figures into this one, but I heard a rumor that it does.
Fried Green Tomatoes: What is your favorite book, movie and food? Fried Green Tomatoes may be the answer to all three, but I'll take some chocolate or a southern layer cake (but please, keep the saran wrap away) any day. But as a side note, can you believe this recipe for caramel fried green tomatoes and ice cream?
The Gingerbread Man: As buddy Megan says, "It's a terrible, terrible movie. But entertaining!"
The Great New Wonderful: According to one sweet CakeSpy reader, this one "had Edie Falco and Maggie Gylenhaal as cake designers but they weren't very happy..."
The Godfather: "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli". Beautiful!
Hoodwinked: This one was suggested by Mary--that Goody Bandit must be captured!
The Ice Cream Man: OK, so the ice cream man in question is a serial killer. He does drive the right truck! And he's Ron Howard's brother!
Just Desserts: In which a cake (and its baker) are completely enchanting to the protagonist.

Like Water For Chocolate: The wedding cake made with character Tita's tears was delicious, but made people cry over loves long lost.

Manhattan: This one is worth watching for so many reasons, but as one CakeSpy reader pointed out, dessert (milkshakes, to be exact) is a big reason!
Marie Antoinette: Cake porn, featuring sweets by French legend Laduree. Enough said.

Matilda: Basically the cake-eating scene is the sweet equivalent to the egg-eating scene in Cool Hand Luke.

Mermaids: This one got an Oscar, and I'm pretty sure it was for the marshmallow kebabs prominently featured during the movie.

Million Dollar Baby: The real money shot was at the end, when Clint Eastwood's character eats pie in the final scene.

Mostly Martha: Although you'll have to wait til the credits for the sweet stuff, says Viv, it's worth the wait.

No Reservations: According to a CakeSpy reader, the US version of Mostly Martha definitely has some good looking tiramisu featured on-screen.
The Perfect Man: According to one CakeSpy reader, this film with Heather Locklear is "awful, but she decorates cakes."
Run Fatboy Run: In this one, according to Carrie, the "love interest is a bakery sweet shoppe owner".

Serendipity: A sweet romantic comedy which has scenes in the NY Sweets-shop from which the film takes its name.

Simply Irresistible: In which a witchy Sarah Michelle Gellar enchants the dessert (and the rest of the food too).

Simpsons Movie: Of course, Homer is never far from his beloved pink frosted and festively sprinkled donuts.

Stand By Me: This one features a pie-eating contest.
Steel Magnolias: That armadillo cake did more for Red Velvet than it could ever know!
Stranger Than Fiction: If Will Ferrell's character presenting Maggie Gyllenhaal's renegade baker with a bouquet of "flours" doesn't make you melt like buttercream in sunshine, then you're probably dead.
Sweeney Todd: They make pies, but you probably don't want to eat them. Way too savory.
True Grit: In which "corn something or other Rooster Cogburn was eating on the trail"
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me: The prelude to Dale Cooper and all that damn fine pie.

Varsity Blues: The cheerleader tries to be all sexy by dressing up like an ice cream sundae! That's priceless!
Waitress: Pie, pie, and more pie!

Wayne's World: I wish I could hang out with Wayne and Garth at Stan Mikita Donuts.

When Harry Met Sally: The most famous food scene is at Katz's in this movie, but there are many other sweet cinematic nuggets including conversations about (and over) pie.

Got one to add? Leave a comment!

Sweet Talk with Anne-Marie of SoapQueenTV!

If you don't think soap is totally sweet, you've clearly never come across Anne-Marie Faiola. Anne-Marie is not only the owner of Bramble Berry (the premier soapmaking supply company) and the host of the brand new online soapmaking tutorial show SoapQueenTV--but she's one of the most dedicated dessert-lovers we've ever come across. And happily, her love of sweets comes across in everything she does--from tutorials on how to make soaps that smell like your favorite dessert using fragrance oils to embedding objects (like a cupcake figurine perhaps?) in your soap to even an upcoming episode on candy-themed soaps!

But how else do sugary treats figure into the SoapQueen's life? Here are some of the sweet products, crafts and delicious cakes that inspire Anne-Marie; you might just make some sweet discoveries of your own!

CupcakeSocial is an entire Etsy shop dedicated to just cupcakes - cupcake liners, toppings and more. Take your cupcake making to the whole next level!

The Dieline blog inspires me every day with their picks for best design in everything. This one caught my eye because it was 100% sweet and 100% good design. The perfect marriage.

Cupcake Royale: Seattle is lucky they have the talented Cupcake Royale in their backyard. Anytime I'm even close to Seattle, I go to Cupcake Royale for a glass of milk and my favorite cupcake of all time, Salted Caramel.

A Field Journal: Inspiration for a perfectly sweet birthday party, in an indie sort of way.

Chronicle Books: I love Chronicle Books and was especially excited to see that they carry all sorts of cupcake products, including a cupcake kit, adorable confection-ery labels, and The Cupcake Deck!

100 Layer Cake does features on crafting your wedding, layer by layer with a DIY Spa Day!

The Fancy Flours blog is one of my favorite blogs because it's so beautifully photographed and always inspirational.

SoapyLove is one of the most creative melt and pour soapmakers to hit the 'net and she inspires me with her sweet confectionary soaps (like this and this). Don't they look real?

Bath Bomb Cupcakes: The craft that was spawned from my cupcake addiction! (here's the blog entry on it too!)

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Mobile Bakeries and Sweet Food Carts!

This week we're going mobile--by pointing out some of the coolest food carts offering sweet stuff across the nation. Some stay put, but some are constantly on the move, traced only by twitter updates. This baker's dozen has captured our attention--catch them if you can (and if you've got a cool one in your town, let us know!):

Cupcake Stop takes the cake in New York City, with mini and regular sized cupcakes. They can be tracked via twitter.

Cupcake Truck in New Haven, CT prides itself on serving cupcakes made from only the finest ingredients; see where they are today on their blog.

Crème Brûlée Cart is cracking down on sweetness in San Francisco! They can be tracked via twitter.

Dessert Truck in NYC serves up fancy desserts (a recent menu includes pavlova and bread pudding!) from their mobile bakery at reasonable prices. 

HeartsChallenger is a mobile ice cream truck that can be hired in LA, Miami and New York, and any ice cream truck that features unicorns and hearts is right up there on the Spy list!

Hey, Cupcake is taking Austin by storm with sweet cupcakes served out of airstream trailers (and one location sans wheels). The locations are fixed, but still have a mobile charm.

Icycle Tricycle in Los Angeles has not only delicious icy treats, but they come at you with a mission.

Parfait Ice Cream will be bringing gourmet ice cream to the masses--on wheels--later this summer in Seattle.

Perfect Cupcakes is making Baltimore (and the world!) a sweeter place with a mobile cupcake delivery unit.

Skillet Street Food in Seattle is a mobile operation which mainly focuses on serving meals, but they also always have a great dessert option or two--a recent menu included lavender shortbread with lemon curd and crème fraiche.  Keep up with their daily goings-on via twitter.

Fresher Than Fresh in Kansas City, MO is serving up some super sweet sno-cones; find where they are now via twitter!

Treats Truck in NYC is a CakeSpy favorite for their creative menu and sweet proprietress (read the CakeSpy interview here!). 

Wafels & Dinges in NYC serves up Belgian waffles with a tantalizing variety of sweet (and savory, if you're into that) toppings; they can be tracked online.

What's your favorite mobile bakery or street cart?

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

This week's links are brought to you by the letter D, as in Donut. Or Doughnut, whichever you prefer.

Looking for a vegan donut fix in Baltimore? Discover Emily's Desserts (they ship too!).

Coolest catering company ever? In Florida, Donut Divas specializes in donuts, fair food and carnival games.

Glazed Donuts is a Chicago-based special-order donut maker which will "satisfy your sustainable sweet tooth".

Don't eat plain cookies like some kind of jerk--make these super awesome Homer Simpson-inspired Doughnut Cookies.

The Donut Database was created by Natalie of Bake & Destroy, and is a resource that every donut lover should bookmark. Now.

The Donut Muffin just got awesomer with chocolate glaze and sprinkles.

Even if you're vegan and on a raw diet, there's no reason on earth why you can't still enjoy a donut hole.

At ART Restaurant at The Four Seasons in Seattle, pastry chef Ryan Witcher's vanilla sugar-dusted doughnuts served with  fromageblanc and seasonal fruit compote are completely enthralling.

Upscale doughnuts, demystified: here's an interesting essay on the subject.

Let's all swoon one more time over the donut-inspired soft-serve ice cream at Momofuku.

Bee Sting Donuts? Yes please: My Baking Adventures tries out the recipe from the Sweet Melissa Patisserie cookbook.

What exactly does "Time to make the doughnuts" mean? Find out the story here.

Donut vs. doughnut: which is correct? Just in case you needed a refresher.

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

Mother May I...enjoy some sweets? It's almost Mother's Day, so here's a baker's dozen of sweet ideas for Mom (and maybe you, too).

Show mom you love her by making up a batch of these gooey and delicious cinnamon rolls: like a warm, sugary hug.

Bake & Destroy's online shop has a plethora of aggressively sweet (and awesome) gift ideas, ranging from cupcake toppers to cool stickers and even hoodies and tees.

Looking for sweet but calorie-free? Soapylove has the cutest popsicle-themed soaps, like, ever!

The Dough-Nu-Matic Personal Doughnut Maker: buy one for mom, one for yourself.

Flowers may be cliche, but flower pot cakes? Totally sweet!

Speaking of sweet, how about these adorable confectionery-inspired wall decals?

Who says chocolates are just for Valentine's Day? With gorgeous touches like gold finishing and creative flavors like beer and bacon, Socola Chocolates are a perfect pick at any time of year.

Speaking of chocolates, L.A. Burdick chocolates (and cakes!) are always an appropriate gift--and this Mother's Day, you might even win a prize.

Melt mom's heart with these delicious tarts, from Daphne Baking.

For the budding writer, an online food writing course centered on how to write a cookbook proposal would be a seriously sweet choice!

You, mom, and everyone in your family would get some joy from this sky-high rhubarb crumb cake.

Of course, if you're in Portland, you still have a last-minute chance to pick up CakeSpy artwork on Mother's Day at Crafty Wonderland!

If you're in Seattle, check out the upcoming Passages Northwest fundraiser and auction on May 3. Not only is it a great cause, but here's just one of the things you can bid on:

Baker for a Day!
If you love pastry, cooking, and are curious about the life of a baker then this auction item is for you! Join Dan Sheehan, one of Grand Central Bakery’s pastry professionals for a morning of food and fun. You are the baker! You’ll be immersed in the smells, sights, and feelings of a bakery, produce beautiful product, and get baking tips from one of Seattle’s best bakeries. Plus, you’ll get to take home your hard earned work in the form of a dozen fresh pastries.

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

(Cuppie-inspired cake photo c/o Cakes by Destini)

Pamplemousse Preserves has pioneered a wonderful program: the CSP&B. It stands for Community Supported Preserves and Bakery--like a CSA, but with sweets!

Candy will save us all: The New York Times Says so! (Thanks Megan for the tip!)

EpiCute: We. Are. In. Love. Visit the site now!

A lot of you think Bacon in Baked goods is so over, but for those of you who still want it--in cupcakes--here's a field guide.

Planning a Canadian Getaway? We recently spied this comprehensive list of all of the bakeries in Manitoba!

Say hello to the hottest new way to induce heart failure: the sandwich cake.

Magnolia Cupcakes available outside of their bakeries, for the first time!

Homemade Choco Tacos? How did we miss this?

You already know and love Bakerella--duh. But have you seen her newest bunny and sheep pops?

On Twig and Thistle, a totally sweet tutorial on making (and packaging) homemade hand pies.

What's the difference between a Betty, a Buckle, a Slump, Pandowdy and more? Find out here.

Sugar Cookie Bars: Like a sugar cookie, but a bar. Amazing!

Let Me Eat Cake, the newest (and in our opinion, greatest) book by CakeSpy pal Leslie F. Miller is now in stores! buy it here.

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

Like, OMG! CakeSpy is one of Gourmet's favorite food sites! There are simply no words that can express how honored your little Cake Gumshoes feel.

Curious about wedding cupcakes? Recipe Girl offers a comprehensive tutorial.

We told you that cookie sandwiches were the next big thing: NY Times weighs in on the Whoopie Pie.

Dessert chips with sweet salsa? We're on board.

Love the look of Peeps, but not the taste? Why not make your own? Here's a recipe and how-to.

Franny's Cup and Saucer in Point Arena, CA is our newest bakery crush.

Do you love chocolate? Then you'll love this comprehensive list of the 100 best chocolate websites.

This Dunkin' Donuts new donut flavor contest is strangely addictive.

Caramel sushi? There's no fish, thank goodness.

Peanut butter cayenne caramel bacon chocolate cookie bars: just one of the offerings from Seattle's newest specialty bakery, the Manderin Cookie Company.

Are your cupcakes looking frumpy? Class 'em up with these fancy cupcake liner jackets by Bella Cupcake Couture.

Creme that Egg!: the prolonged (and hilarious) death of a Cadbury Creme Egg. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jules for sharing this awesome link.

Remember these? Marshmallow cones that taste like childhood.