Super delicious birthday cookies

These look delicious! Chocolate mini cupcakes, topped with marshmallow frosting, dipped in chocolate, covered in sprinkles, by wynk on Flickr.

I ordered 3 dozen mini cupcakes from custom cupcake company James and the Giant Cupcake, which offers free delivery in Oakland and Berkeley, California. Each flavor was unique and memorable and went above and beyond what I was expecting (well, I was expecting them to be good because those are flavors are like, but these were awesome). They were $18 for each dozen mini cupcakes, which I thought was a good deal and, after tasting them, very worth it.





This mint cupcake was very, very minty. As in, I love mint but I had to eat it slowly and savor it and even then didn't finish it. I know saying you "didn't finish" a cupcake might sound like an insult, but it's not, at least, not in this case. Sometimes it just means a flavor is so strong you don't need more than a small mouthful, and I shared the other half with someone.





The bacon cupcakes were a big hit, with lots of people asking, "Is that really bacon?" I think bacon works because, well, people love bacon, but also that it's salty and if you don't go overboard, a little bit of salty bacon goodness is the perfect foil for a sweet cupcake.



The sea salt caramel cupcakes also lived up to their salty and sweet promise.

And the custom ordering was very easy; I emailed what I wanted, paid via PayPal, and they were delivered as requested. The displays of all three dozens were lovely, and the minis were a good size for a mini, about two normal-sized bites of cupcake. See their blog for the latest news.



James and the Giant Cupcake
510-735-4353
jamesandthegiantcupcake at gmail.com

I was a judge on Throwdown with Bobby Flay and you can watch it on Food Network February 9th at 8:30 pm ET. See their site for official details, also pasted below:

What happens when a 6 foot 5 inch guy decides to open up a bakery that makes the best cupcakes around? You get 'Big Man Bakes" of course! Cupcakes are the hottest food trend, but William "Chip" Brown was ahead of the curve when he opened "Big Man Bakes" now LA's biggest little bakery in town. What will happen when chef Bobby Flay brings his best mini's west to put them to the test against LA's sweetest tastemaker. It's a mini cupcake Tinseltown Throwdown!

Yesterday I visited the Astoria Market, a new flea market in Queens. I knew that Nibbles by Nora would be selling her cupcake kebabs, but I was happily surprised to see two other cupcake vendors there as well. Lisa Bracigliano is the owner of Chocolate Swirl. In addition to cupcakes, she makes truffles, brownie pops and cakes. She is based in Queens, but will deliver to NYC as well. Free delivery in Astoria. She made the Superbowl cupcakes above.



Then I met Jenn Tang who runs Intoxicating Confections. She bakes cocktail-inspired cupcakes that don't have alcohol. Yesterday, she brought Champagne and Mudslide mini cupcakes to Astoria Market. She doesn't have a storefront, so follow her on Twitter @BoozyCakes to find her where her cupcakes are sold.




Lastly, I chatted with Nora  (Nibbles by Nora) who is famous for her cupcake kebabs. She brought Neapolitan cupcake kebabs and Good Morning Sunshine which are breakfast cupcake kebabs made with Froot Loops.



Great to see Nora rocking ponytails!

Mmmmm...Cupcakes! And mini cupcakes are even better! They don't come with as much guilt! I made these mini cupcakes for a bridal shower. There are 3 different kinds - chocolate raspberry filled, lemon and yellow cake with pink frosting.