tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25575222389782420502024-02-19T11:10:03.505-08:00Cupcakes! Cupcakes! Cupcakes!teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-24662636917271942772013-02-19T19:08:00.001-08:002013-02-19T19:08:27.427-08:00GoBerryRemember when I used to eat cupcakes and other sweets all the time? Yeah, me too. Then I lost 20ish pounds and don't eat them as often. I do, however, enjoy a good frozen yogurt from <a href="http://www.goberryme.com/">Go Berry</a> whenever I can remember to make it down to Fore Street when they are open. I wasn't a fan the first time I went in when they initially opened (I can't even remember why), but over the summer when I didn't really care to eat anything... GoBerry was something that I would always find appealing. GoBerry's frozen yogurt, tacos and Thai food was pretty much what I lived on for a couple of months.<br />
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What I like about GoBerry is that you can have many options for toppings, including fresh fruit, but most importantly, chocolate chips. I have managed to acquire a fairly significant chocolate chip addiction. I can't start my day without a greek yogurt and chocolate chip ratio of 1:1. No joke. The friendly folks that work there are good sources of flavor/topping combinations. I usually like to have two flavors with chocolate chips as a topping. However, there are times that I have asked for suggestions from the staff and they gave me some that led to a very delicious treat that I would not have come up with on my own. They also steered me away from a flavor combination that I was thinking of trying, which would not have been as delicious as I thought it might be.<br />
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Now I wish it weren't past the GoBerry closing time, because I sure do have a jonesin' for some froyo. Their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/GoBerry-Portland/162446027177538">facebook</a> page keeps me updated to their current flavor offerings, which is convenient as I like to know my options prior to arrival. I am finicky and it can take me a very long time to make my mind up.<br />
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I feel like when the weather gets a little warmer again, I will once again be more adventurous at trying new things and hunting out the "sweet" stuff.teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-15224735461368530942012-06-28T18:49:00.000-07:002012-06-28T18:49:00.168-07:00White Mountain Cupcakery - North Conway, NH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week we went to the White Mountains, specifically North Conway, for a few days away from the hustle and bustle of Portland. I was quite excited to be able to try the White Mountain Cupcakery, which I have "liked" on facebook for a while. I tried the Boston Cream cupcake and Kate had the Chocolate Raspberry. </div>
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<i>Boston Cream cupcake</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGxlfXcsLRurEQK4O6_6l2FvOXrEB5wcWEfpqIwESzxJpYiiS7OVHjjoQt0_cwF1ZN1n3EW809LxsuRikjpRMq0BhNUZR-UneK5oF6F3m2D6_vouvEHqMt7lK1_8kpSyLeYVvWphuNQ/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGxlfXcsLRurEQK4O6_6l2FvOXrEB5wcWEfpqIwESzxJpYiiS7OVHjjoQt0_cwF1ZN1n3EW809LxsuRikjpRMq0BhNUZR-UneK5oF6F3m2D6_vouvEHqMt7lK1_8kpSyLeYVvWphuNQ/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Inside the Boston Cream</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1Wfc7cmXbEJJMQu68bMQKpedaP0xXvNPwEma7UJ_u8_v5dEEzCTCS1dQqOEseBQO53NxrfF79i8anRnBNDWMVLiB6PtwmXkMJ62bt19CXT8YNtuRc1j3aOpStprigCUeEA05zVo8Rw/s1600/chocolate+and+raspberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1Wfc7cmXbEJJMQu68bMQKpedaP0xXvNPwEma7UJ_u8_v5dEEzCTCS1dQqOEseBQO53NxrfF79i8anRnBNDWMVLiB6PtwmXkMJ62bt19CXT8YNtuRc1j3aOpStprigCUeEA05zVo8Rw/s320/chocolate+and+raspberry.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Chocolate Raspberry</i></div>
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Unfortunately, I will have to only say that they were good, but not great. I wish that we had gone earlier in the day, because by the time that we made it in it was closing time and the flavor selection was limited. It is far too easy to lose track of time when in the beautiful White Mountain Forest. The customer service was great, as they made sure that we had everything we needed even though we were there after they had actually closed. They also took our trash for us after we finished our cupcakes outside!</div>
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I liked the cream for the Boston Cream cupcake and the butter cream was good, but Kate and I both felt that perhaps a ganache would have been a better choice instead of a frosting. The other cupcakes also had massive amounts of frosting on their cupcakes, which at a certain point just seems excessive, unless you really <i>LOVE </i>frosting (and I know some people do). </div>
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We were unfortunately not there on the weekend, which is when they have their special daily flavors. I really wanted to try one of those ones! Or at least see what they came up with! I have pretty high expectations when it comes to cupcakes now, but I would go back to their shop the next time I am in North Conway. I loved their sign, which might sound weird and now I wish I had taken a picture of it, but it was really adorable. They were also really nice, which makes me like a place even if I'm not 100% pleased with the product. So, I look forward to the next time I can make it there. I hope that I can get the Green Mint Mountain Cupcake or maybe even be there on a weekend day with a special flavor that I will want to try. </div>
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Check them out if you are in that area and let me know how you like them! </div>
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<a href="http://www.wmcupcakery.com/">http://www.wmcupcakery.com/</a>
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<br /></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-15155194652453822402012-06-25T15:53:00.000-07:002012-06-25T15:53:00.217-07:00Happy Birthday Andy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just look at this awesome cake that Kate made for our pal Andy's birthday a few weeks ago. It is a brownie layer cake, with cream caramel in the middle and cream caramel with chocolate ganache topping. Also, an amazing frosting lobster holding a bottle of Jameson, which a few shots of had been poured over the brownie cake prior to putting the topping on. It was amazing.teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-34655453450550889042012-06-24T10:16:00.000-07:002012-06-24T10:16:15.207-07:00Bakery on the Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank goodness Bakery on the Hill is open again. There was a change of ownership and during that period of time and some renovations, it was closed for a month or two. I was quite distraught seeing as it was the end of tax season and I was very much in the need for some delicious baked goods. Now they are open again and the deserts are just as fantastic as they were under the prior ownership. I hadn't tried a cupcake there before the changeover, but a few weeks ago I popped in on my way to get a slice at Otto's and picked one up. I decided that some desert was needed to round out that very healthy meal of pizza. </div>
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<i>Chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting</i></div>
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The cupcake was everything I would ever want in a cupcake. The cake was moist, had a great chocolate flavor and the frosting was light. I love a good butter cream, don't get me wrong, but there are often times when it is much too heavy for the cupcake that it is paired with. This was the perfect pairing of frosting and cake. Both were light and sweet, however neither was too sweet. I find that it is quite a feat for a cupcake in today's market to manage to avoid that "overdone" trap that so many bakeries that make cupcakes have fallen into. Sometimes you just want a basic cupcake, that is really effing good, without the five inches of frosting and a level of sweetness that should result in an immediate trip to the dentist. Bakery on the Hill is a master of this really effing good cupcake.<br />
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I also decided that I needed another treat, since I would be sharing both of these with my significant other. I made the very tough decision (only because they have so many visually appealing treats to choose from) and went with this raspberry mousse, chocolate treat. I can't remember the exact name they gave it, but I do recall how delicious it was.<br />
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This picture only slightly does it justice.The raspberry is quite mild in the cream portion, which was perfect for me as I am not very fond of raspberry. It is quite delicious in this treat and the chocolate crust on the bottom was, as silly as it might sound, my favorite part of it. Each layer is distinctly different and adds in an additional element of complexity with texture and flavor.</div>
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I am very lucky that they are just around the corner from me on Congress Street, but they are well worth any drive.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bakery-on-the-Hill/176809975737681">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bakery-on-the-Hill/176809975737681</a>
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<br />teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-73449648737040883122012-03-11T14:26:00.006-07:002012-03-11T14:56:17.991-07:00You know what I still like?<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>Cupcakes. Lots and Lots of Cupcakes. Yes I had to capitalize Lots and Cupcakes in that sentence when it didn't even call for it. That's how serious I am about this. These cupcakes are from Cakes Extraordinaire on Brighton Avenue. They are pretty good, however, I am not even going to attempt to write a blog post about these ones since I ate them three months ago. Maybe five...That's how far behind I am in life. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzqZ0ouZfuzRowMTOXR69FszJyXdlgfaXoU7UDUUiSp2S7BldVyAZLFCTl43WIMnZinxN6ymbcWW2b-A0VYqG28vclJ9uMwI-mdZiSZY18N5qnBJqOf1rXTlAyeYd8dpqOZlq1JRkfg/s1600/Winter+2012+027.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzqZ0ouZfuzRowMTOXR69FszJyXdlgfaXoU7UDUUiSp2S7BldVyAZLFCTl43WIMnZinxN6ymbcWW2b-A0VYqG28vclJ9uMwI-mdZiSZY18N5qnBJqOf1rXTlAyeYd8dpqOZlq1JRkfg/s400/Winter+2012+027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718755158251984626" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I also like warm, fun times outside still. However, since it's been winter, that hasn't occurred quite as much. School and work (six days and now seven days a week) have been dominating all of my time.</span></div></span></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXT6gnBX7hrvxhXfUNvIPR0OGFG98UKHk2wl1IcU3vlYt-m7bDfz0Ih-6crVGxKGetVW-Im-yYsDIQ5gUHD_-Yr5Fng5cP0r9_R9wD8L-cJKb9sr681Q3aN5v_7JbN6DYvKCYviWaQ/s1600/October+2011+084.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXT6gnBX7hrvxhXfUNvIPR0OGFG98UKHk2wl1IcU3vlYt-m7bDfz0Ih-6crVGxKGetVW-Im-yYsDIQ5gUHD_-Yr5Fng5cP0r9_R9wD8L-cJKb9sr681Q3aN5v_7JbN6DYvKCYviWaQ/s400/October+2011+084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718754517987692402" /></span></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span><br /></span></u></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I have been still enjoying my loves of delicious baked goods, just not quite as often and with less time to inform the Great Portland area about it. My pants fit just a little bit better, but it's just not as satisfying as knowing you are spreading the good word of good treats. There is a fantastic new spot for cupcakes opening up in the Portland Public Market, their first day open was this very weekend. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ylimesgourmet" style="font-size: 100%; ">Y-Limes Gourmet</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span> has been a go to in the wholesale market for coffee shops in the Portland area and now the general public can go to their retail location to be guaranteed a freshly baked, delicious cupcake. Please consider going and welcoming the newest edition to the cupcake scene in Portland.</span></span></div></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><br /></span></div></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: justify;font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><span>Another of my current go-to's for baked goods is </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bakery-on-the-Hill/176809975737681">The Bakery on the Hill</a><span><span>. Wolf makes the most amazing pastries and is one of the most positive people I have met. I am currently jonesin' for the Oreo roll. It is pure perfection in </span>confectionery <span>form. I love that every time I go in there, I am immediately welcomed AND they remember my name. I love places that take the time to learn the customers names and then remember them. I personally am more of a face person, so I am always impressed when someone remembers my name, since I can never remember anyone's name. I blame the ADD. So, in addition to going to the Portland Public Market and welcoming Y-Limes, my few followers, please go to The Bakery on the Hill and enjoy the wonderful pastries and the amazing energy that the owners have put into the place. They are also a new addition to the ever growing culinary scene here in Portland and I don't think Portland could have asked for a better baker than Wolf. Spread the love Portland. </span></span></span></div></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-56926482183305653062011-12-01T02:29:00.000-08:002011-12-01T02:54:03.247-08:00Paciarino<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1sI4mbFSE-I53pO0Gr8UVmRLiXRiBEdiKW9JA1JS48swm2q--V14Fp5ccH0SU6Zd2owlZqBRAOYxOWrkBIg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>My first foray in to video blogging. Granted, it's really short, but still, I feel like <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/giada-de-laurentiis/index.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Giada</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DeLaurentiis</span></a>! I went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Paciarino</span> last night for a birthday dinner celebration. It was my first time, even though it has been one of the restaurants in Portland that I have wanted to try for a few years. What can I say, once I like a place I keep going there because I know it's good, whereas if I try a new place there is always that chance that I might not like it! My meal consisted of pumpkin ravioli with a balsamic reduction, that our server referred to as more of a dessert for dinner. It was amazing.<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWjQBZTWGmrzrf1qybt8jrgD0E3gBYJFp6ui38t85H0yWudpbNR5h_jFZX8qZeIK5hwTQlAaLOnPEvvKsdw0SGLfCZgF8cEa67OHqhiAloLkc0e9DXYmmv5bJLwqQzH9InivtXDxh6g/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWjQBZTWGmrzrf1qybt8jrgD0E3gBYJFp6ui38t85H0yWudpbNR5h_jFZX8qZeIK5hwTQlAaLOnPEvvKsdw0SGLfCZgF8cEa67OHqhiAloLkc0e9DXYmmv5bJLwqQzH9InivtXDxh6g/s400/photo%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681107066178154034" /></a>Just look at that beautiful, handmade that day ravioli. I have misplaced my digital camera, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Iphone</span> photos will have to do for now. Hopefully it turns up somewhere. I managed to eat all the ravioli on my plate and finish off the pasta that my dining partner was unable to eat. IT WAS SO GOOD. Also, their meal was more of a salty dish, whereas mine was so sweet. It was a nice balance to be able to have a little bit of the salty and <i>a lot</i> of the sweet. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WQ2txtNH5WEdIXz1IbxsJ7ubQs1gpFVhjQTe17wSCNE4_evd7Lv58x56IkDCnb8bMyxO1xXsbSJVcqgbUSRdQT-4EQQsUxdEYgL5G5kLdY92-rKOrKJxjMD3auhTB1O_ZeiBTNSyLw/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WQ2txtNH5WEdIXz1IbxsJ7ubQs1gpFVhjQTe17wSCNE4_evd7Lv58x56IkDCnb8bMyxO1xXsbSJVcqgbUSRdQT-4EQQsUxdEYgL5G5kLdY92-rKOrKJxjMD3auhTB1O_ZeiBTNSyLw/s400/photo%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681107223812327314" /></a>My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tiramisu</span>. This picture does no justice to how large it was and is, because I have most of it in my refrigerator as leftovers. After eating all that pasta before dessert, there was no way I could eat it all. It was so tasty. It is a slightly bizarre fact that I do not drink coffee, but I like coffee flavored things. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tiramisu</span> is one of my favorite desserts. This one was made up of layers of actual lady fingers, which the ones at Whole Foods are not. The Whole Foods ones are my go to "I need <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tiramisu</span> right now!", but I can tell that in the future when I want the authentic, I will be going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Paciarino</span>.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.paciarino.com/">http://www.paciarino.com/</a></div></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-69319537205822272972011-11-30T14:35:00.000-08:002011-11-30T14:35:00.590-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepB3t7-f0RBjThyphenhyphenagG31dpMFVW0blrdgxc_5ajcqQ-7pyp-E4yqyl5EEMxoDf-ctMjLsWmoY7P2Sd58VqQrXVZF94bqvVRnMznlb7rOZANPcE4gOBBxAb5LtZflg6krEILvWf_MFgww/s1600/IMG_6721.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepB3t7-f0RBjThyphenhyphenagG31dpMFVW0blrdgxc_5ajcqQ-7pyp-E4yqyl5EEMxoDf-ctMjLsWmoY7P2Sd58VqQrXVZF94bqvVRnMznlb7rOZANPcE4gOBBxAb5LtZflg6krEILvWf_MFgww/s400/IMG_6721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679808003941379122" /></a><br /><div>It is quite often that you don't even need a fancy cupcake to hit that sugar spot. Sometimes those cupcakes that are prepared from a box mix, by a friend, are just what is needed. These were for a pumpkin carving party that happened over a month ago and were enjoyed immensely by those who attended. To put it very simply... I really love sprinkles. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-61823628149459076442011-11-27T13:19:00.000-08:002011-11-27T14:11:04.378-08:00Y-Limes GourmetAs I said in my entry about the Portland Buy Local Indie Biz Awards, I won a gift certificate to <a href="http://www.ylimesgourmet.com/">Y Limes Gourmet </a> for a dozen of their gourmet cupcakes. I decided that the perfect opportunity to use my gift certificate was for my significant other's surprise birthday party that I had been planning for the past few months. With the kindness of two of my best pals, they allowed me to use their amazing house to throw the bash at. My mind immediately thought of my recently acquired gift certificate, since the baked goods snob that my S.O. happens to be, only Y-Limes meets their highest standard for cupcakes. I browsed their massive listing of flavors and came to one of the hardest decisions I made all week; I mean how can you really decide between the Fat Elvis- a banana cake with peanut butter frosting and brown sugared bacon, the Chocolate Covered Strawberry-chocolate cake swirled with fresh strawberry buttercream or the Grasshopper-chocolate cake swirled with mint icing and chopped Andes mints. I finally settled on the Peppermint Mocha, a mocha cupcake with peppermint buttercream and chocolate ganache drizzled over the top. I knew that there were going to be a lot of coffee and chocolate lovers at this surprise party and I wanted to make sure to please them all, which this cupcake definitely did. <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI8orDUuaIQLJ8rfBHFMUNLESin7xMnVnNeJqgulolgbJ2rokwXHCl7GcRqC4qjzF5ABAGjlFqQ57ZbsGhtGy31n8suy1QteZt_sgOStHHY3D2BQMuvrTLzPojUIXaaDmXIGiMoUuQQ/s1600/ylimesgourmet1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI8orDUuaIQLJ8rfBHFMUNLESin7xMnVnNeJqgulolgbJ2rokwXHCl7GcRqC4qjzF5ABAGjlFqQ57ZbsGhtGy31n8suy1QteZt_sgOStHHY3D2BQMuvrTLzPojUIXaaDmXIGiMoUuQQ/s400/ylimesgourmet1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679792418268498946" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; ">(I may have accidentally dropped this one on it's side prior to the photo op)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><br /></span></div></span><div>The cupcake was quite honestly huge. It was more of what I would call a personal sized cake, like those personal pan pizzas that TV commercials tout so often. I think that once everyone in the room saw the cupcakes, their eyes lit up and once they had tasted them, they had become fans of Y-Limes Gourmet. I must have told more than three or four people where they could find Y-Limes cupcakes on a regular basis (Coffee by Design, Stonyfield Cafe, Gorham Grind and the Perx-U-Up Cafe) and they were all quite excited to hear some of the other flavor offerings. This cupcake was everything I could ask for in a cupcake. The cake was decadent; not too dense and very flavorful. The peppermint buttercream was light and creamy. It was also not overly sweet, but just sweet enough. I find that a lot of cupcakes try to make up for a lackluster cake portion by having an overly sweet frosting, but Y-Limes did not have to worry about either one of those downfalls. They have perfected the delicate balance of frosting, in this case buttercream, and cake. I think it is also a singing praise for the cupcake that I could even taste it to begin with, since I have been suffering from a massive cold and can barely taste anything. </div><div><br /></div><div> I first had Y-Limes cupcakes at the Picnic arts and crafts festival in late August, where I had their S'mores cupcake:</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fvCQodHU6tOxvJFaR0oiEusNw6WymuJCtuFb2V1Cdd8mLBg1Gbafru0dBgHESEyxaihMPRhirYGgoW1E1ntV33OSmnS88cyYb6Kf2UPoCCB158vBIMwYlRV4_c8_F7DCTKwZTldxQg/s1600/End+of+Summerz+2011+032.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fvCQodHU6tOxvJFaR0oiEusNw6WymuJCtuFb2V1Cdd8mLBg1Gbafru0dBgHESEyxaihMPRhirYGgoW1E1ntV33OSmnS88cyYb6Kf2UPoCCB158vBIMwYlRV4_c8_F7DCTKwZTldxQg/s400/End+of+Summerz+2011+032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679795640291348114" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Just look at the attention to detail on that cupcake; the lightly toasted edges on the marshmallow frosting and the tiny crumbles of graham cracker all along the top of the cupcake. These cupcakes are a testament to the art of the cupcake. It was ridiculously delicious, in addition to being beautiful. Y-Limes is not kidding when they say that they are artisan bakery. I also would like to mention that the owner is really nice. I love it when someone who loves their product, what they do and are also just a genuinely nice person to interact with. Y-Limes Gourmet has become the front runner for the Portland cupcake scene; which is to say a lot, because the competition is becoming quite fierce. There are currently a lot of high quality cupcakes being produced in our city. </div></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-89372464705070943052011-10-30T19:12:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:33:57.747-07:00Swap Maine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFaPOXQC1d7yjAw-ai16Axp8AJvdLwOfeJgrUVFOE2F3VymKF1_2xgqKEf-5YsnePtdeMX3Jhhjc3lUTxG3Fwe8dvZXG0hVIe4DmXbJEl4mj5xSBD8EqNFRfX9CtXw_GR7GEDVTQKXQ/s1600/IMG_6832.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFaPOXQC1d7yjAw-ai16Axp8AJvdLwOfeJgrUVFOE2F3VymKF1_2xgqKEf-5YsnePtdeMX3Jhhjc3lUTxG3Fwe8dvZXG0hVIe4DmXbJEl4mj5xSBD8EqNFRfX9CtXw_GR7GEDVTQKXQ/s400/IMG_6832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669475618180567474" /></a>Yesterday was the second Swap Maine event, located at the East End school in Portland. I went to the first swap, but a little too late in the day for the exciting swap action. I did still manage to get a pretty nice pink sweater, but this time I was in it to win it. I went for the pre-swap brunch, that included so many tasty treats from local restaurants/food vendors such as: Stonyfield Cafe, 13th Cookie, Local Sprouts, Katie Made Bakery and many more. That tiny cupcake was a peanut butter cup cupcake. The frosting was so peanut buttery! It was a little intense. I love Katie Made Bakery and their muffins, so I immediately grabbed one while I was going through the tables of food. I also snagged the cheesy bread thing on the far right, which came from Stonyfield Cafe. I don't know what it was exactly, but it had a crazy amount of garlic on it and it was amazing. I wanted another piece, but by the time I had finished they had all disappeared. At the Swap they had a couple of raffle prizes during the pre-swap brunch and I won a gift certificate to Stonyfield Cafe and TWO cases of yogurt. I don't even know how much yogurt that is. It's a good thing I love Stonyfield yogurt! I put my raffle tickets into that box (you could choose between the prizes to enter your tickets in), because I have never gone to Stonyfield Cafe, but I have always wanted to. Now I have no reason to put off going, since I have a very awesome gift certificate to use there. Overall I had so much foodie fun at the Swap, before the fashion fun even started!teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-89161194339569414842011-10-20T09:19:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:28:34.631-07:00Gelato Wars-Portland ShowdownSeriously. This new development that is going to occur in early December is just too overwhelming to me. "What new development?!" you might be asking...well...*GULP* My original favorite gelato shop is opening across the street from my PORTLAND FAVORITE GELATO SHOP. <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.pressherald.com/life/foodanddining/fiasco-stirs-the-gelato-pot-on-sweet-stretch-of-fore-street_2011-10-19.html">http://www.pressherald.com/life/foodanddining/fiasco-stirs-the-gelato-pot-on-sweet-stretch-of-fore-street_2011-10-19.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now when I get the hankering for gelato, I won't only have the option of Gorgeous Gelato in Portland. It was quite simple: I would want gelato and if I was in Portland I would simply go to Gorgeous Gelato. If I happened to be in Brunswick or driving through Brunswick, I would stop by Gelato Fiasco. Now it won't be that easy. I might just have to give it all up and go to Go Berry, the new frozen yogurt place that just opened at the corner of Exchange and Fore street. Portland, specifically Fore street (what with East End Cupcakes and Old Port Candy Shop) is quickly becoming my sweet tooth haven. I need a gym membership. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-57711820102805690112011-10-18T18:54:00.000-07:002011-10-18T19:30:02.809-07:00Portland Buy Local's Indie Biz Awards<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFA1LCyQb-RufNx09wksDJN__6HFvbEiUN6obPQ8Vq5U6iMJPPLJRM9KDCsjKiEfK-RWhryJWhEZRi04RJKinXJsNiBHyH-oMnHzeJMhRbKBrFpQSUtMcLryVmyQ63RqPI5ydeyCvCA/s1600/October+2011+005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFA1LCyQb-RufNx09wksDJN__6HFvbEiUN6obPQ8Vq5U6iMJPPLJRM9KDCsjKiEfK-RWhryJWhEZRi04RJKinXJsNiBHyH-oMnHzeJMhRbKBrFpQSUtMcLryVmyQ63RqPI5ydeyCvCA/s400/October+2011+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665015994561936274" /></a>Tonight I went to the <a href="http://www.portlandbuylocal.org/events/indie-biz-awards/">Indie Biz Awards</a> which was put on by Portland's Buy Local. It was the first time I have attended this event and it was definitely worth attending. There was so much amazing free food, ranging from Local Sprouts to Dean's Sweets. I was quite excited to go tonight, because I knew that there would be cupcakes! I managed to try three different varieties of cupcakes from <a href="http://www.ylimesgourmet.com/">Y-Lime's Gourmet</a>; this isn't the first time that I have had one and I am definitely going to be seeking out their cupcakes more frequently. My favorite of the three was the Chocolate Raspberry that you can see above. It's not the best picture, but I was trying to balance the mini cupcake in one hand while trying to get a picture in macro mode with a low iso in the other hand... a slightly difficult task. A very delicious cupcake, however poor the quality of the photo is. The chocolate cake was very moist and the raspberry buttercream was very creamy and delicious. Not too sweet or overpowering. This isn't the first time that I have had Y-Lime's Gourmet and I am definitely going to be seeking out their cupcakes more frequently. <div><div><br /></div><div>I loved how the Indie Biz Awards was such a gathering of delicious food. One of my favorite places in Portland to get chocolate is <a href="http://www.deanssweets.com/">Dean's Sweets</a> and they were there tonight with a table filled with different samples of their truffles and chocolate covered potato chips. Their chocolate is a step above anything else I have had so far. Cadbury has nothing on Dean's. I even managed to win one of the raffle prizes and thankfully it was the Sweet Tooth one, which included a dozen cupcakes from Y-Lime's Gourmet, a bag of popcorn from Coastal Maine Popcorn Co (amazing popcorn), a Portmanteau bag, a gift certificate and hot fudge from Beals, a gift certificate to Old Port Candy Co and a gift certificate for two for the Maine Foodie Tours! This is very exciting for me, since it will satisfy my sweet tooth for the next couple of months. Thank you, <a href="http://www.portlandbuylocal.org/">Portland Buy Local</a>! </div></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-84334853727853947222011-10-12T19:25:00.000-07:002011-10-12T19:45:46.049-07:00Magnolia Bakery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTSUWyLIdAYtzgcw1aGCfnbKElpafhM-rscmvX99cB94GG8yU358djtOxyLOX86zJku6dj5qi5TGiuAQWamv91Rba7OBnZr9ogjZANLIb2IIYY6kz8z4dp13yflVxDLLoYih3jCcY6Q/s1600/October+2011+136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTSUWyLIdAYtzgcw1aGCfnbKElpafhM-rscmvX99cB94GG8yU358djtOxyLOX86zJku6dj5qi5TGiuAQWamv91Rba7OBnZr9ogjZANLIb2IIYY6kz8z4dp13yflVxDLLoYih3jCcY6Q/s400/October+2011+136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662797804110671490" /></a>I have always wanted to eat a cupcake from Magnolia's, well by always I mean ever since I heard "Lazy Sunday" by the Lonely Island and saw the skit on SNL. It's amazing! <div>"Let's hit up Magnolia and mack on some cupcakes!" </div><div><br /></div><div>A pal of mine brought me back two cupcakes from a recent trip to NYC. We've been having discussions of how we aren't all that fond of red velvet, so I was a bit surprised when one of the two happened to be red velvet, but it turned out I liked that one much more than the vanilla with chocolate frosting. She said that when she was in there the selection was limited, which isn't surprising since they are always crazy busy. I honestly expected something magical, but the cupcakes were just okay. I did really like the frosting on the red velvet cupcake. It was the frosting equivalent to homemade whipped cream. Obviously it wasn't that, since whipped cream would not make an hour six hour bus ride back from New York, but that was exactly how it tasted and the consistency was just a little bit thicker than whipped cream is. My friend guessed that it was a traditional boiled frosting, which is officially my favorite type of frosting now. Two Fat Cats, here in Portland, has amazing boiled frosting. I won't be making any quick trips to NYC to have Magnolia's again, but I would definitely go there the next time I am in the city. It would be interesting to see their physical location and to actually have the Magnolia's experience myself. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://magnoliabakery.com/home.php">http://magnoliabakery.com/home.php</a></div><div><br /></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-43221162754891375562011-08-13T13:08:00.001-07:002011-08-13T13:12:17.626-07:00
<br />I tried to get to the new bakery last night, but when I called them to see if they had cupcakes, they didn't answer their phone. Interesting... I kind of like the thrill of the hunt though. I will put out the request again, if anyone knows of cupcakes in the area that need to be reviewed, let me know! It's quite easy to pop into East End Cupcakes now to pick one up, but sometimes I like to have that more challenging quest of finding them at coffee shops or out of the way bakeries. <div>
<br /></div><div></div>In the meantime, here is a hilarious (only in how unflattering it is) photo of me eating a cupcake in the USM library a few years ago when I was working on my undergraduate degree there. I'm not even sure where I got that cupcake from.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZGWyUKF0x8dOrb2ura2sYE1i_pLPMI_xxAaoa2HfgMgoN1wkVu8iWMfTAi9bFSMVYEzL8-FtznXm52Z66Q-xron2U0fFSs6s4unnct9oAv6Z9pGCCGaJ20RaVCeOF4mb-6tpc38_Ng/s1600/134019.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZGWyUKF0x8dOrb2ura2sYE1i_pLPMI_xxAaoa2HfgMgoN1wkVu8iWMfTAi9bFSMVYEzL8-FtznXm52Z66Q-xron2U0fFSs6s4unnct9oAv6Z9pGCCGaJ20RaVCeOF4mb-6tpc38_Ng/s400/134019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640435548357006354" /></a>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-50575048685331643462011-08-06T20:28:00.000-07:002011-08-06T20:35:11.065-07:00Breakfast Crepes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio55pBgwiBPMCgdlkU-K_aoIKxGxtKrvVLa6MEAQxBglAmAttwsIpUp71R_18t9f9BW3cq84I2KCrvq791_zmurUQALIQzr9Un_WZ_oQS9_p4TwZ2Q-PxlpS6LvG9txNhfNrYPMl3G5g/s1600/Summerz+243.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio55pBgwiBPMCgdlkU-K_aoIKxGxtKrvVLa6MEAQxBglAmAttwsIpUp71R_18t9f9BW3cq84I2KCrvq791_zmurUQALIQzr9Un_WZ_oQS9_p4TwZ2Q-PxlpS6LvG9txNhfNrYPMl3G5g/s400/Summerz+243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637951319525893186" /></a><br /><div> I tried to track down a new bakery today, but turns out they are not open on the weekend. Alas, I will have to wait until next week. I did however eat these amazing breakfast crepes that a friend made for me. Peaches in the first one, strawberries in the second and bananas in the third, all with a brown sugar reduction on top. I demanded bananas like the bananas in bananas foster, but my friend informed me that they did not have a blow torch. I have no idea what they did to the fruit inside the crepes, but it was all oh so tasty. It was an amazing way to start off my weekend. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-91897524246102446012011-08-02T15:31:00.000-07:002011-08-02T15:31:00.580-07:00East End CupcakesA week ago a few friends and I decided to go down to Fore Street for some gelato at Gorgeous Gelato and also a stop into <a href="http://www.eastendcupcake.com/">East End Cupcakes</a>. I was excited to try them again, since my first visit to their new retail location happened to be on their soft opening and they had limited flavors available. This time when I went in there had to have been more than seven varieties available for me to pick from. They also had a few of their more creative combinations available, such as the Lime cupcake with Coconut Buttercream.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRHm9Gzl1RsIqUQZVBRYPJuVRQ7Dj8g3eqkFS-V1qCpy81OIHXqOZ1Guu3NSSJ3uCWtY4PHcFHbfwH99NvilyH0b-PDwkkgLmZW-6rgt1OmISGg78_fHttAUaCXFzeCWK3T0N8Sd0Lw/s1600/Summerz+148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRHm9Gzl1RsIqUQZVBRYPJuVRQ7Dj8g3eqkFS-V1qCpy81OIHXqOZ1Guu3NSSJ3uCWtY4PHcFHbfwH99NvilyH0b-PDwkkgLmZW-6rgt1OmISGg78_fHttAUaCXFzeCWK3T0N8Sd0Lw/s400/Summerz+148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635648219818900322" /></a>Blueberry cupcake with Maple Syrup Buttercream<br /><br /><div>This cupcake was sort of similar to a blueberry muffin, but I really liked it. This cupcake is what prompted our now ongoing discussion of when a cupcake moves into muffin territory. When they are dense, like this one was, it seems to be more of a muffin. I always kind of hope that blueberry cupcakes will be like the Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry cake recipe that Marjorie Standish has in her book <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/Cooking_Down_East.html?id=-324idq7AZUC">"Cooking Down East"</a>, which is kind of unrealistic on my part. My mom makes a few of those blueberry cakes every year and it is one of the highlights of summer. My family always fights over who gets the middle piece, since it doesn't have any edges to it. This is the ultimate piece of blueberry cake and often is the first piece taken from the cake, which looks a little odd. </div><div><br /></div><div>The East End Cupcakes blueberry cupcake was delicious and I would totally eat it (or a few of them) again. For me, however, the Maple Syrup Buttercream really made the cupcake. It was light, creamy and delicious. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8n2CZtUVB9k1K9gcz9kGqfD3Mg-n5cloTfHJWYlNa3Ga_2hV1AttGfWwmuWSkavMnrRqpou07Nb54Xxsin1BL4uVgZvmWY06T9shSNMWzRNJKEPQ4exJVudhwAFU6OFDC6joPZXqoA/s1600/Summerz+142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8n2CZtUVB9k1K9gcz9kGqfD3Mg-n5cloTfHJWYlNa3Ga_2hV1AttGfWwmuWSkavMnrRqpou07Nb54Xxsin1BL4uVgZvmWY06T9shSNMWzRNJKEPQ4exJVudhwAFU6OFDC6joPZXqoA/s400/Summerz+142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635648639663878050" /></a>Lime cupcake with Coconut Buttercream <div><br /></div><div>Let me say, I hate coconut, so I didn't even try the Coconut Buttercream. I did try the cupcake part of this one, because my friend offered to share it with me, knowing how much I loathe coconut. The lime cupcake was delicious. There were even little lime rind bits in the cake itself. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>There were so many options to choose from on the day that my friends and I went into East End Cupcakes. I love that they have already begun to bring out some of their more interesting flavors to complement their staples. I also love the simple decor that they have and the chairs are really nice to sit in on a hot summer day. They are surprisingly cool, which seems odd to say, but I appreciated it on the hot summer night that we went in. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wNRR5LOpZmgwrM3UKCSy9cvJG5TQq3Vq6F8fTTVpzx_IsMFc1yLLEy_nBcb0p4m-IPycNeZ8yCAMI4t3oum2VhZcfPVDEooKFdHZwwkwVAo-yQMib6Bp3CFobI0MH_AjtGXW1BwF7g/s1600/Summerz+151.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wNRR5LOpZmgwrM3UKCSy9cvJG5TQq3Vq6F8fTTVpzx_IsMFc1yLLEy_nBcb0p4m-IPycNeZ8yCAMI4t3oum2VhZcfPVDEooKFdHZwwkwVAo-yQMib6Bp3CFobI0MH_AjtGXW1BwF7g/s400/Summerz+151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635653817837095618" /></a></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-92149740091579897572011-07-31T14:31:00.000-07:002011-07-31T15:01:10.091-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qIondoqzsjeA7F4wnJ7Zg1prr3R9DNzwzceUASj5aQCjPW5jsKh60ySChONdi1FfaalNi2RgRvsfa7_vssRtJaR5lgM-94oMTE7UgNI-sN-zmX-j-pVTJjn9_KVNU33dloPoomeVMA/s1600/Smmmers+004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qIondoqzsjeA7F4wnJ7Zg1prr3R9DNzwzceUASj5aQCjPW5jsKh60ySChONdi1FfaalNi2RgRvsfa7_vssRtJaR5lgM-94oMTE7UgNI-sN-zmX-j-pVTJjn9_KVNU33dloPoomeVMA/s400/Smmmers+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635632994455399170" /></a>I'm not sure how many cupcake aficionados who read this blog have seen <a href="http://mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com/">http://mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com/</a>, but if you haven't already you have to go see it. The same friend that made my birthday cupcakes is trying out a few of Ming's cupcake recipes and made cupcake 32, the graham cupcake with key lime cream cheese frosting. My friend took some liberties with the frosting recipe, incorporating some of the rind in it, as well as making a candied lime rind garnish. It was so delicious and so beautiful, as you can see above. I liked the frosting much more than I liked the graham cupcake, but the flavors worked so well together. <div><br /></div><div>My friends and I have an interesting debate going on (which started at East End Cupcakes one night), as to when is it a cupcake and when has it actually crossed into muffin territory. This cupcake was more of a muffin consistency, which was one of the reasons that I didn't like cake part as much as I had wanted to. I hope that the next test cupcake will be one of the cupcakes from 17-19, because they look amazing. Perhaps even 18 specifically...a sour cream apricot cupcake with a mascarpone frosting and toasted almonds...yes please!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Another interesting cupcake tidbit, I am currently watching <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/index.html">Cupcake Wars</a> on the Food Network. I love this show! I have always liked the food challenge shows on food network, specifically the ones where they have to build massive cakes or sugar sculptures and then move them to the display table, which resulted in at least one cake or sculpture falling over from the transport. Very sad for the competitors, but very funny for me. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-45587198351462149252011-07-22T16:18:00.000-07:002011-07-22T16:31:59.899-07:00My fantastic mini birthday cupcakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-BvA72cxRO4yMRhXsao0ptnGiI7Lf30gm0pWKxHX5R1xMIfKnrr5LzKOb5jQBNNjdZn_e9Qrrd3O5KxTaBlfJZ3_F7GT7XnSYak8mMvW5c6MgwdeMkqAyq_0Q9VPLwGxZd3G8-YSrg/s1600/July+2011+062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-BvA72cxRO4yMRhXsao0ptnGiI7Lf30gm0pWKxHX5R1xMIfKnrr5LzKOb5jQBNNjdZn_e9Qrrd3O5KxTaBlfJZ3_F7GT7XnSYak8mMvW5c6MgwdeMkqAyq_0Q9VPLwGxZd3G8-YSrg/s400/July+2011+062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632320576975149634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They were the cutest! Vanilla cake, with strawberry puree in the middle, strawberry frosting and chocolate ganache to top them off. An amazing friend made them for me and had been planning exactly what to make for weeks. They were utterly perfect and delicious.<br /><br />I apologize for the hiatus. I've been busy enjoying the summer, taking an intensive summer course and minimizing my internet time.teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-1812819896584027702011-07-02T18:32:00.001-07:002011-07-02T19:40:22.528-07:00East End Cupcakes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_Y6UlQYFovNfZONeWcalu7mTrv6oQ0VQ1KpYRejA2fFlJzdhrB1L5eMDqZ0tNZtuiCoW67GlBzmLBny3qlQTFJJbbmo4j_ulyHj7G5Slrq_Q3Tcj86wMwsBgz-Dta88YLAX1Hzwfxg/s1600/July+1+2011+013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_Y6UlQYFovNfZONeWcalu7mTrv6oQ0VQ1KpYRejA2fFlJzdhrB1L5eMDqZ0tNZtuiCoW67GlBzmLBny3qlQTFJJbbmo4j_ulyHj7G5Slrq_Q3Tcj86wMwsBgz-Dta88YLAX1Hzwfxg/s400/July+1+2011+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624939880499988194" /></a><br />Yesterday was the opening day for <a href="http://www.eastendcupcake.com/">East End Cupcakes</a> (formally Buttercup Cupcakes) located at 426 Fore Street. I ordered cupcakes from them for an Oscars party I was attending earlier this year. I decided that pear cupcakes with vanilla bean buttercream would be a fantastic choice for such an event. <div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0moV7IUcv5JKRGAbrPLaF6cxxUgtxD6ms11rz0zUVSBFZGWTDwZYJFI9z3YqcfROVlnyxLyQf5OlYz0LZxoVsdsFUjoNPKYaqKvt2LfsaKRnzhVk4anKaisOq58LblBXR_btgwvHPg/s1600/IMG_4776.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0moV7IUcv5JKRGAbrPLaF6cxxUgtxD6ms11rz0zUVSBFZGWTDwZYJFI9z3YqcfROVlnyxLyQf5OlYz0LZxoVsdsFUjoNPKYaqKvt2LfsaKRnzhVk4anKaisOq58LblBXR_btgwvHPg/s400/IMG_4776.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624934961109056402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmW2NYtom_POAoZcHMU7Sq6ei-bfpG0RnbAcS7NsaAmYR6EZ2S83ICCPRbTtY_Nj3ECmqw1GZ4PvIff5MrLFpXwfy5abvqH5VoX9dm_rxAn5ka6g7U4V0D4TV7laEdHcqSpKb0ESW8w/s1600/IMG_4766.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmW2NYtom_POAoZcHMU7Sq6ei-bfpG0RnbAcS7NsaAmYR6EZ2S83ICCPRbTtY_Nj3ECmqw1GZ4PvIff5MrLFpXwfy5abvqH5VoX9dm_rxAn5ka6g7U4V0D4TV7laEdHcqSpKb0ESW8w/s400/IMG_4766.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624935771060616178" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those two photos were taken by Joel Desmond of the <a href="http://themaineeffect.com/">Maine Effect</a></i><i>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i><div>The pear cupcakes had a puree of pear at the bottom and the buttercream was the most amazing "frosting" that I have ever had on a cupcake. It was so good that I would just eat the buttercream off the cupcakes first. I managed to eat at least half of the dozen pear cupcakes that I ordered. It was after doing so and also the fact that I was quite upset once I had consumed the last one, that I realized just how good these cupcakes are. East End Cupcakes specialty flavors are definitely an adults cupcake or specifically aimed for those who have a higher standard in cupcake quality.<br /><br />Last night at their soft opening, a friend and I shared two of the cupcakes that were available that night. I think that there were five different flavors available last night and the owner mentioned that they will normally have four standard flavors with four specialty flavors also available. We decided on trying the chocolate cupcake with salted caramel buttercream and the chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream. </div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RSirzXzaUGOxRqhnYsEMpf322kykV57hPAYa_uj9GAce574ZkZWasnn3TopJGhpneu6WoJXAoRQaXMa3U-j6WxuGBRPRRzuLlTU0rSc70T-sgAKJ8apq8ygsWV1B7E2ciZR6B8is_A/s1600/July+1+2011+008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RSirzXzaUGOxRqhnYsEMpf322kykV57hPAYa_uj9GAce574ZkZWasnn3TopJGhpneu6WoJXAoRQaXMa3U-j6WxuGBRPRRzuLlTU0rSc70T-sgAKJ8apq8ygsWV1B7E2ciZR6B8is_A/s400/July+1+2011+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624938853495025810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chocolate cupcake with salted caramel</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFazyX-wQfQXERD-BD-qTj3ZVCg9NNQLbW1BGrkp1GQKzAL2pcDHkLCT746kRaJ4j05VmbPFAoVxv0p-g75CDTcDau1BqPzHk6_MmCjnyctmehLCiDVhjKIchtxl4sgMtImE_RRdrnQ/s1600/July+1+2011+009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFazyX-wQfQXERD-BD-qTj3ZVCg9NNQLbW1BGrkp1GQKzAL2pcDHkLCT746kRaJ4j05VmbPFAoVxv0p-g75CDTcDau1BqPzHk6_MmCjnyctmehLCiDVhjKIchtxl4sgMtImE_RRdrnQ/s400/July+1+2011+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624940220664401410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I was interested in seeing how the normal flavors were going to compare to the impressive pear with vanilla bean buttercream. Both of the chocolate cakes had a rich chocolate flavor, but were slightly dry. I preferred the salted caramel buttercream over the vanilla, which had an overwhelming butter flavor to it with very little vanilla in comparison. Both of the buttercreams were light, much lighter than I remember the vanilla bean buttercream being. I quite frankly prefer the pear cupcakes with the vanilla bean buttercream to these chocolate cupcakes, so I look forward to when they have more of their special flavors available. Nevertheless, the cupcakes were both good last night and well worth the $2.50 we spent for each one. </div><div><br /></div><div>It will be interesting to see how the space transitions over time, but I thought that the current layout was quite adorable and it had a lot of seating available. I love the idea that there is now a shop in the Old Port that is devoted entirely to cupcakes and that it is right next to Gorgeous Gelato. I will be making frequent visits to East End Cupcakes to continue trying different flavors and highly recommend others to make the trip down to the Old Port to do the same. </div></div></div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-28171423793226979782011-06-29T18:00:00.000-07:002011-06-29T18:05:00.330-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HO69rl0UDYeoQcDI1y_Jh5kwaAj32or0mdiXNCLZ-e5NjQfrPrkPWvZDsY7uXif-FRvQk9LsKzRo1WV9jgzbcijuyLawVqS4LbpDFbnSm0X7jwFyrSFe3NMHl9bjzTIBOzPapBvxXQ/s1600/Summer+End+of+June+018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HO69rl0UDYeoQcDI1y_Jh5kwaAj32or0mdiXNCLZ-e5NjQfrPrkPWvZDsY7uXif-FRvQk9LsKzRo1WV9jgzbcijuyLawVqS4LbpDFbnSm0X7jwFyrSFe3NMHl9bjzTIBOzPapBvxXQ/s320/Summer+End+of+June+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623811888250964578" /></a><br /><div>Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. One of my friends made these for a Chellie Pingree fundraising event that happened last night. They are amazing! I brought in a few of the extras to work today to share. I managed to only eat two, sharing the rest of the them with some very happy coworkers. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-42684191332396984432011-06-25T18:12:00.000-07:002011-06-25T19:31:46.752-07:00Ahimsa Custom CakesToday I went to the Vegetarian Food Festival at the East End school. I wanted to go last year and the year before, but something always managed to come up, making me unable to attend. This year, once I realized that it was happening this weekend, I made the decision that I had to go. A big draw for me was the free food samples (I love free food!). There was food to try from Green Elephant, Blue Elephant and a few other vendors were also offering samples for visitors to try.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXS6X0oRWoiNTez6h-UM4g2qcRrhcFBJsMVwmYP_H5QwL1-sFagnPwiC6T-gDOfHHyqLvg38Y_pbL8cteybofb4f3RARYK-hbYSWyo6WE4bBDSyMm11Ckxi3DJ3i1v3hOfo03o8Wf5g/s1600/June+25%252C+2011+015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXS6X0oRWoiNTez6h-UM4g2qcRrhcFBJsMVwmYP_H5QwL1-sFagnPwiC6T-gDOfHHyqLvg38Y_pbL8cteybofb4f3RARYK-hbYSWyo6WE4bBDSyMm11Ckxi3DJ3i1v3hOfo03o8Wf5g/s320/June+25%252C+2011+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622330830486546354" border="0" /></a><br />I think that Blue Elephant had the best display for their samples. It was exciting for me to be able to try food from places that I have not been to yet or might not be able to try (for various reasons), such as Blue Elephant or Girl Gone Raw. The specific draw this year for me, was the hope that Ahimsa Custom Cakes might have samples that I would be able to try. I "like" them on Facebook, which allows me to see new cake photos in my news feed every so often and it always intrigued me how they only made vegan cakes. I love vegan food in general and I love to try new vegan cupcakes specifically. I will be honest and say that the cake samples were not actually cupcakes, but they were served in tiny little cups, so I will stretch my definition of a cupcake to include that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-7UWupiyPqVPWUQzslFkHxr5bhccvVv5eaSBAxlkpW9VopRBHlvMhVCNVh8YtZhyTet_vC7dlxsPhuJBSl9X7lXnnfkcTl_IETeFDGpP3aNuSspRDqJqe7ShGm_YpTgd3ofDrqu_7A/s1600/June+25%252C+2011+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-7UWupiyPqVPWUQzslFkHxr5bhccvVv5eaSBAxlkpW9VopRBHlvMhVCNVh8YtZhyTet_vC7dlxsPhuJBSl9X7lXnnfkcTl_IETeFDGpP3aNuSspRDqJqe7ShGm_YpTgd3ofDrqu_7A/s320/June+25%252C+2011+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622336062651562578" border="0" /></a>The cupcake on the left is the French Toast cake with Maple Cinnamon frosting and the one of the right is a Double Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean frosting. It's always hard to determine a cupcake's quality based on such a tiny sample, specifically this time since I did share my sample with another person and they shared theirs with me. That just means that I can't go in depth in my judgment of the cupcakes or the frosting, since I really only had a brief taste for each one.<br /><br />Both cupcakes were very moist and delicious. The French Toast cake was definitely the favorite out of the two, with a very strong cinnamon flavor and a very smooth frosting. The chocolate cake was also good, but I felt like it would make a better Whoopie pie than a cake. Specifically because the frosting was gritty, just like the Whoopie pies of my youth that I loved oh so much. I have been looking for a Whoopie pie with a gritty sugary filling for years, but have yet to find it. The Vanilla Bean frosting would make my ideal Whoopie pie filling and I think that is really the only reason that I immediately made that Whoopie pie connection. Plus, as a Mainer aren't Whoopie pies supposed to be on my mind at all times?<br /><br />The French Toast cupcake was also a little more attractive than the Chocolate one, but that was only because the poor chocolate cupcake's frosting had been stuck to the cover of the cup, which might have occurred because I tipped it over a few times...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEZncVExPhbRT5puK3mmzNtztuZxxdiwhp_IoMofDydhKyYl02CsrL2E9XAzWHf_NcIeA9B2PENHIpuGfaO_Wv45xfllQ8qQg340GqNAg6_nrsLvwKhV7BRhDlMlhZDz_VJWWDP-5Qg/s1600/June+25%252C+2011+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEZncVExPhbRT5puK3mmzNtztuZxxdiwhp_IoMofDydhKyYl02CsrL2E9XAzWHf_NcIeA9B2PENHIpuGfaO_Wv45xfllQ8qQg340GqNAg6_nrsLvwKhV7BRhDlMlhZDz_VJWWDP-5Qg/s320/June+25%252C+2011+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622338466113142706" border="0" /></a>So adorable! I am pretty sure that if someone didn't already know that the cakes Ahimsa Custom Cakes makes are vegan, that they would be able to tell at all. They also make sculpted cakes, which you can see some samples of in the portfolio on their website:<br /><a href="http://www.ahimsacustomcakes.com/Home_Page.php">http://www.ahimsacustomcakes.com/Home_Page.php</a>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-71081331945245628502011-06-07T17:27:00.000-07:002011-06-07T14:08:56.123-07:00Wild Oats Bakery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0HPskxduczx7_lyid5UWXOEPE1xht5EmK4hageHY9Za7WDeGTD1tbIjWt6Eump8jtlde34qYuY1Gtz7MfUMp2uu8-xvMkm9VvfUUGQllcCrSsP9eMUjUjwE2Bm-xqTlePouToX1qg/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0HPskxduczx7_lyid5UWXOEPE1xht5EmK4hageHY9Za7WDeGTD1tbIjWt6Eump8jtlde34qYuY1Gtz7MfUMp2uu8-xvMkm9VvfUUGQllcCrSsP9eMUjUjwE2Bm-xqTlePouToX1qg/s320/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612299599978840274" /></a>I often have doctor appointments in the morning over in Brunswick, which makes me extremely happy since I can stop into <a href="http://www.wildoatsbakery.com/">Wild Oats</a> after the appointment to get breakfast and a treat for later in the day. For breakfast I like getting the morning glory muffin or sometimes a bagel if the mood hits. Recently on my trips in I have been buying cookies, but the last time I went in I decided to get a cupcake. Their cupcakes are massive. Usually, I would cut it in half and either share with a friend or save the other half for later, but that day I decided to eat the whole thing. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that it was a really good chocolate cupcake. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I unfortunately didn't write any notes down about this cupcake, but it was good. Much better than the carrot cake cupcake I had there previously. I loved the sprinkles and the cake was dense, moist and delicious. If Wild Oats is open and I am in Brunswick, I always go in to buy a treat or three. They have an amazing cookie and dessert bars section, as well as fantastic prepared foods. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-78373277227672249652011-05-30T09:00:00.000-07:002011-05-30T09:00:04.119-07:00Tulips Cupcakery- Mini Cupcakes revisited<div>The first time I had Tulips Cupcakery's mini cupcakes, I wasn't won over by them entirely. I love mini anything, so that alone made me like them, but the cupcakes themselves were not as mind blowing as I had hoped for. This time around, a little over a week ago at this point, they finally succeeded in making me a fan. </div><div><br /></div><div>At Kamasouptra (in the Portland Public Market) there were at least three flavors available that day: chocolate with raspberry frosting, vanilla with vanilla frosting and lemon with raspberry frosting. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCMtdw0I-h64NuTfAWWFUZy5xPUmLIc7GZdfCduIrjh0a9X-IZpv_HA36qc1AEcTOhSFG_gIj_Q1lAv_fFQER7AAxnOhBXOcRtJPq7lCg3pB5yvHnvst3mirMG_BPoW0vAamwli7Lpg/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+037.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCMtdw0I-h64NuTfAWWFUZy5xPUmLIc7GZdfCduIrjh0a9X-IZpv_HA36qc1AEcTOhSFG_gIj_Q1lAv_fFQER7AAxnOhBXOcRtJPq7lCg3pB5yvHnvst3mirMG_BPoW0vAamwli7Lpg/s320/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612175576325850642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfYBcKsUudpK1MZFbWxfVKOpBlhqhOPuvffd3mEjRyWc9kVtysI4vUx_dAhIOi1v2X8h0xTemLxelNrqjFtPHmAP377IDx0tTBAsLNFVFTUjdfQ7NeQf0wnP4u_RB6XUSGiZRiHRvfg/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfYBcKsUudpK1MZFbWxfVKOpBlhqhOPuvffd3mEjRyWc9kVtysI4vUx_dAhIOi1v2X8h0xTemLxelNrqjFtPHmAP377IDx0tTBAsLNFVFTUjdfQ7NeQf0wnP4u_RB6XUSGiZRiHRvfg/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfYBcKsUudpK1MZFbWxfVKOpBlhqhOPuvffd3mEjRyWc9kVtysI4vUx_dAhIOi1v2X8h0xTemLxelNrqjFtPHmAP377IDx0tTBAsLNFVFTUjdfQ7NeQf0wnP4u_RB6XUSGiZRiHRvfg/s320/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612169381288980658" /></a>All three cupcakes were moist and very tasty little treats. In my notes I said that they were "tiny pillows of delicious" and they definitely were. </div><div><br /></div><div>The lemon cupcake with raspberry frosting had a nice light lemon flavor in the cake and it had an overall tartness to it. The frosting was light and creamy.</div><div><br /></div><div>The vanilla cupcake was light and fluffy. The frosting was a little more solid than the raspberry frosting and was a delicious vanilla butter cream. </div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite out of all three of the mini cupcakes was the chocolate with raspberry frosting. The cupcake was moist and had a nice chocolate flavor to it. The frosting was again the light raspberry frosting that was on the lemon cupcake, but the combination of the moist chocolate cupcake and the light frosting made the experience reminiscent of eating a truffle from a fine chocolatier. </div><div><br /></div><div>I could have eaten so many of these tiny cupcakes and I'm glad that I had saved the chocolate one for last. The amount of frosting on top of each one of them was the perfect amount to complement the cupcake. One of my pet peeves with cupcakes is having an obnoxious amount of frosting. It is often enough to simply put enough on that will complement, while not overwhelming. However, there are also times when I do want a lot of frosting, so perhaps it just depends on the day and the cupcake. Tulip Cupcakery's cupcakes do not need a lot of frosting and I'm glad that they simply put enough to highlight the flavors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tulips Cupcakery's cupcakes are available at Kamasouptra in the Portland Public Market and other locations around Portland. Check out their website <a href="http://tulipscupcakery.com/">http://tulipscupcakery.com/</a> for more information. </div>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-25835168163484288422011-05-29T08:23:00.000-07:002011-05-29T08:53:22.518-07:00Aurora Provisions- Memorial Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBezLNsBHA7ifOuLTGQW_1t5mw4GW9buEQZmplqVL8XLX0dhvmJvVlwkop1iCyy3rajdk-5rxdIFw0nKV0R5jmS-Qb1_8QIWg8IbZSWzYkZsGYmAzTnb8zOt5tgQcOuxE4bc3RCifQ/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVBezLNsBHA7ifOuLTGQW_1t5mw4GW9buEQZmplqVL8XLX0dhvmJvVlwkop1iCyy3rajdk-5rxdIFw0nKV0R5jmS-Qb1_8QIWg8IbZSWzYkZsGYmAzTnb8zOt5tgQcOuxE4bc3RCifQ/s320/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612159447639856690" /></a><br /><br />I have to admit, I am a gigantic fan of the complicated cupcake. However, there are days when you just want a simple and really effing good cupcake. Thankfully Aurora Provisions was able to provide that simple, yet fantastic tasting cupcake for the Memorial Day weekend. I love when food is decorated for holidays, so the patriot sugar sprinkles and flag were the perfect finishing touches to the basic chocolate and vanilla butter cream frosting cupcake. <br /><br />This is a really embarrassing fact that I have to share, but I had never been into Aurora Provisions before the other day when I was on my cupcake mission. I had a general idea as to what they have there, since I have a few friends who currently work there or who have worked there, but I had unfortunately not made the trip in to see for myself. I have a cupcake tipster who informed me that they had cupcakes there that day, since they don't always have cupcakes available and they often sell out quite fast when they do. <br /><br />I am so glad that my tipster let me know they had cupcakes there that day, since it really was the best basic cupcake I have had in a while. The butter cream frosting was really light and not too sweet. The flavor for the frosting was spot on to complement the chocolate cupcake. The sugar sprinkles gave it a fantastic crunch and obvious visual appeal. The cake aspect itself was very moist and had a rich chocolate flavor to it. I could have eaten either the cupcake portion or the frosting by themselves, but together they were even more delicious and neither flavor overwhelmed the other. It says a lot about a cupcake if separately you could eat the frosting AND the cake. Some cupcakes I think it would be better without the frosting or the frosting is much better than the cupcake. That is a phenomenon that occurs more often than I would like. <br /><br /><br />My friend Meghan came with me and also enjoyed her own chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting. The first picture doesn't really give justice to how large these cupcakes actually are, but this one does. Meghan's facial expression is communicating: "How do I even start eating this massive cupcake!" <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLklIlVf326PcWwbwbbuPeqjRAUaJRBx_Fj5Y_waTAPbrQTAJiWMd-0_Wx-tWdM8h0dibdA8LdYWuayDCXbEg7t5OkasbXtE-jfWul1pX0cuZf621HdlHmHyp2l8jD6uLkET06eCnmOw/s1600/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLklIlVf326PcWwbwbbuPeqjRAUaJRBx_Fj5Y_waTAPbrQTAJiWMd-0_Wx-tWdM8h0dibdA8LdYWuayDCXbEg7t5OkasbXtE-jfWul1pX0cuZf621HdlHmHyp2l8jD6uLkET06eCnmOw/s320/Summer+Cupcake-a-palooza+087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612161122204971474" /></a><br /><br />Thankfully, neither one of us minds getting frosting on our faces and we are both the kind of good friend who will let the other know when we have missed a spot with our napkin, as Meghan let me know...<br /><br />Aurora Provisions has much more than delicious baked goods and I look forward to my next visit in to try something else. They are located in the West End, at 64 Pine Street. Check out their website for more information: <a href="http://www.auroraprovisions.com/">http://www.auroraprovisions.com/</a>.teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-703774648603069252011-05-09T13:32:00.000-07:002011-05-09T14:45:01.866-07:00Scratch Bakery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv65D9gQmrcvzdf2KP6d_Of_ePiVYhjdzwTBCtnC8PvKc7lYcXbjecn34hHWJ8yO2EcxMfgDMQi3gest4BTqH49nkwfTkbLW4Mn3NLmK2sydn2qxXxGp8XyIxZfg_8P_NYxLaN7-j_g/s1600/Cupcakes+Scratch+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv65D9gQmrcvzdf2KP6d_Of_ePiVYhjdzwTBCtnC8PvKc7lYcXbjecn34hHWJ8yO2EcxMfgDMQi3gest4BTqH49nkwfTkbLW4Mn3NLmK2sydn2qxXxGp8XyIxZfg_8P_NYxLaN7-j_g/s320/Cupcakes+Scratch+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604818054557993058" /></a><br /><br />This picture I feel really falls under the food porn category. Last week a friend of my posted on her Facebook page a picture of a banana cream cupcake that she had bought at <a href="http://scratchbakingco.com/">Scratch</a>, mentioning how amazing it was. Since I was in desperate need of a study break, I thought it would be nice to take the trip over to South Portland and see for myself how amazing this cupcake was. <br /><br />I had heard previously about how good the cupcakes are at Scratch, specifically from fellow Portland food blogger <a href="http://www.blueberryfiles.com/">Kate</a>. I have had some of their other delicious desserts in the past, due to the fact that there were no cupcakes available on the days that I had made it in. All of their desserts are a safe bet if you are in need of a delicious treat. <br /><br />My brain is a little fried from studying, so I am going to get straight to the point. This cupcake was definitely amazing and in contention for the best cupcake in the Portland area. The frosting wasn't so much frosting as it was a whipped cream cloud placed on top of the cupcake. It tasted exactly like homemade whipped cream that my mom makes every year at Christmas. In the middle of the cupcake there was pudding, which made the cake portion even more moist than it already was and added another delicious dimension to the cupcake. There were also little pieces of banana within the pudding and on top of the frosting. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXHnXhFwnhdmYXeTcm35emQ-hzIMTxd8HdPUvb6BFiboewuSjVbkdWKDd6XkWCRtptmRFubYH__FVq1pR5HI2BklBbvzjP4B9HPEBpHl4tqGa9Y5CHSCUkqgjvmQMjPooyno13TBWaQ/s1600/Cupcakes+Scratch+028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXHnXhFwnhdmYXeTcm35emQ-hzIMTxd8HdPUvb6BFiboewuSjVbkdWKDd6XkWCRtptmRFubYH__FVq1pR5HI2BklBbvzjP4B9HPEBpHl4tqGa9Y5CHSCUkqgjvmQMjPooyno13TBWaQ/s320/Cupcakes+Scratch+028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604826924249176226" /></a><br /><br />I wish that I had bought more than one and justified my purchase of two by saying I would eat the second cupcake the next day, but then I would have totally eaten two in a row instead. That is how delicious this cupcake is; it results in a total breakdown of self control. It had the perfect amount of sweetness to it, not an overwhelming sweetness like some cupcakes have (ahem...Hannaford...Starbucks...) <br /><br />Since my prior best cupcake in Portland is currently unavailable, due to a hiatus on cupcakery from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cupcake-Cha-Cha/142102132477675">Cupcake Cha Cha</a> (however I think she still does special orders), it would be safe to say that Scratch's banana cream cupcake is currently the best cupcake in Portland. I love a moist cupcake, frosting that is not too sweet and quirky additions to the cupcake that distinguish it from the ordinary. Scratch Bakery is able to deliver all three with this cupcake.teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557522238978242050.post-91803928020148049782011-05-01T06:22:00.000-07:002011-05-01T07:13:32.537-07:00Dairy Corner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKWfa_aXhuSdqgo-16piQpK1SF-Pi1s1uGLD8YSVsRu1FPNvITrprKehMYlTAKlAFs3Brgt7yT7nN8u7vBWkLVAvsxZazFjEt4-B47YNPBTdddjgW0tV_M9QogpaZ3CLBD2xMjvlAcg/s1600/Summer+2011+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKWfa_aXhuSdqgo-16piQpK1SF-Pi1s1uGLD8YSVsRu1FPNvITrprKehMYlTAKlAFs3Brgt7yT7nN8u7vBWkLVAvsxZazFjEt4-B47YNPBTdddjgW0tV_M9QogpaZ3CLBD2xMjvlAcg/s320/Summer+2011+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601750099010628386" /></a><br /><br />The Dairy Corner has quickly replaced my prior favorite ice cream shop, Beals. It is in Scarborough on the way to Pine Point beach. Pine Point is my favorite beach in the Portland area. I love the sand, I love the waves and I love that I can peer down the beach to see Old Orchard Beach, but not have to go all the way down there to deal with the craziness. Also, there are usually not that many people at Pine Point in comparison to Old Orchard. One additional benefit for Pine Point is that the Dairy Corner is conveniently located on the way to the beach, which makes it the beach that I have to go to when I have the need for some sand and sun. <br /><br />The Dairy Corner has, hands down, the best soft serve I have ever had. Some ice cream shops have soft serve that is just too watery or has weird little chunks in it, but the Dairy Corner's is perfection. It has just the right amount of creaminess to it. They have a weekly special soft serve flavor, which is what I normally have. Some of my favorite flavors last summer were banana and strawberry. This week the flavor was butter pecan, which I wasn't quite sure that I would like. I've never been a fan of that flavor, so I decided that I would go with the classic vanilla/chocolate twist with rainbow sprinkles. I always have to have the sprinkles and honestly you can never go wrong with vanilla soft serve. I asked the woman who sold me my ice cream what next week's flavor will be and it will be Peanut Butter. I'm definitely making a trip down to Scarborough to try that one and take another walk at Pine Point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmT_FFK1orq8B6ZhtEYMBAQQxyVfMNjDLVbaRZEjMt_eCMqpAknPiwlzfKxMh7z71jazp6_h5Cutr_kvk90AWCkyKWxQYXyqOdxBAi_xJNKW0sUfKrzso-OBTJcRx1hT4tcY24fJQg/s1600/awesomecone.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmT_FFK1orq8B6ZhtEYMBAQQxyVfMNjDLVbaRZEjMt_eCMqpAknPiwlzfKxMh7z71jazp6_h5Cutr_kvk90AWCkyKWxQYXyqOdxBAi_xJNKW0sUfKrzso-OBTJcRx1hT4tcY24fJQg/s320/awesomecone.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601737767671666770" /></a>teh bobbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777386632252146444noreply@blogger.com1