SEASONS OF CUPCAKES - AKA - SEASONS OF LOVE!

I admit it, I am a bit OCD. I like things to be clean and in order. I also like to live in the moment and not let life rush on by.  For me, this means that I like to enjoy the season / time that I am in and not be living in the next one, thus forgetting to enjoy the now. (ie:  I will NOT have a Pumpkin Spice latte until it is officially fall or, lower than 50 degrees in September.)

The same goes with the Christmas flavors. In fact, my husband and I have stopped going in any store that promotes Christmas too soon - because we love Thanksgiving and the fall. For us, the Christmas season does not begin until Santa rides in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (actually, it starts on 12/25 because we do concentrate on Advent, but I digress....)

I have been so busy since the fall that I did not properly give time to the many seasonal cupcakes I ate; and so, here it is - the year in review (well, the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014).

It started last fall with an amazing "Pumpkin Maple" from Whole Foods.  This was very light as the Whole Foods cupcakes usually are. I don't remember exactly what was going on with this, but I believe it was some type of pumpkin spice cake with a vanilla / maple frosting - oh my gosh, now I am hungry for it again!!!!!!!!  If you see it next year, just get it - just go - just do it!!!

December then came, and with it, the "Hot Toddy!" This is another one of those AMAZING cupcakes from a "Cupcake Wars" winner, "Simply Sweet" in Egg Harbor City, NJ.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Sweet-Cupcakes/121767197901245

To describe it in words will not even do it justice, but if I must, it is heaven in your mouth!  It consists of a spice cake with a buttered rum frosting - and yes, real rum - lots of real rum!!!  Everyone I gave one to went nuts for it. 

This is my very cute hubby humoring me :) I almost wish it were December so that I could have one now. I mean, they would make me one if I asked, but I will NOT eat things out of season :)  he he

So, if I can't have the Hot Toddy, what to do?  I guess it was time to try some spring flavors :)  From my recent post (description of cupcakes in post), I showed the "Irish Creme" and "Lemoncello"cupcakes from Bredenbeck's in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.  They were both so very nice and if interested, just go on back and read about them :)

http://www.bredenbecks.com/

Bredenbeck's "Irish Cream" and "Lemoncello"

What I have not shown you though are "Simply Sweet's" Pink Lemonade, Watermelon, or Creamsicle!!! (and ps, the word Creamsicle is not on my spellcheck - they better get with the program, 'cause it's awesome!) Actually, all of them were good, with my favorite being the Watermelon.

Here is the "Pink Lemonade." The cupcake part tasted exactly as it is called and it was just so light and sweet. I don't remember if the top was a butter cream or whipped typed cream, but regardless, look at that edible butterfly!!!  "Simply Sweet" does an outstanding job with their glitter :)  Their cupcakes are always so gorgeous. I am glad they added this one for the spring and summer.








The other two (that I sampled on a separate trip!) were the "Creamsicle and Watermelon." They are both incredibly clever - another thing I love about "Simply Sweet" - and while I am on that subject, I should say that it is a VERY good thing that they are an hour away from me because only God knows how heavy I just might be if they were closer :)

The "Watermelon" flavor was my favorite!! It reminded me of my childhood when we used to go to Friendly's. They had a Watermelon Roll and this tasted just like it!!!

The "Creamsicle" was wonderful as well. I mean, just look at how gorgeous and creative they are with it - making it look like the treats from Kohr Brother's on the Ocean City boardwalk.  This one had a cream cheese frosting, which is my fav (I admit it, I am NOT a buttercream fan....)



... which brings me to this - for someone who does not like butter cream, for some reason, I LOVE the butter cream frosting at Magnolia Bakery in New York City.  http://www.magnoliabakery.com/

When I lived on the Upper West Side, I had to really make sure that I was not always walking past it.  Sometimes, I would just stare in the window as I had a one cupcake per week limit.  After all those years though, I never went to the original one downtown in the village.  However, I was visiting a friend a few weeks ago and we happened upon it - so how could I not?  Let me tell you, it was one of the BEST cupcakes I ever had.  It was so incredibly moist that it melted in your mouth - and whatever they do to their butter cream frosting is out of this world!!! It is the ONLY butter cream that I like.  Needless to say, I was "home."










Lastly, here is a cupcake for all seasons - well, it was for my birthday - a gift from my friend, Sheri. A cupcake made from flowers. I could not think of anything better.... except, maybe, eating a cupcake!


















So, that is the latest my friends. I am sorry to have been away so long, but am looking forward to the summer and the interesting flavors it may bring.  Suzy Cupcake - signing out for now - and remember, I don't bake, I just eat!!!

Word!

BREDENBECK'S - A REAL OLD FASHIONED BAKERY WITH HEART - SINCE 1889!!!

 

Bredenbeck's Bailey's Irish Cream and Lemoncello (Limoncello)

I have spent the past "musical" year as a Staff Singer at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. This gave me the wonderful opportunity of traveling to that amazing area twice a week. If anyone reading this has ever been to Germantown Avenue, you know what an incredible place it is -  and one of the nicest places on that street is Bredenbeck's Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor.

Bredenbeck's is a small, quaint, and delightful bakery where you are greeted with a smile as you take in the inescapable sweet smell that surrounds you. As I like to try seasonal flavors, it was around March 2014 that I sampled their "Bailey's Irish Cream" and "Lemoncello" cupcakes. If you are someone who likes old-fashioned butter-cream frosting, then these are for you. They were both creative and light.

What I like most about Bredenbeck's though, besides their food and wonderful service, is the way they package the cupcakes. Most of my experiences with cupcakes are ones that come in plastic containers that will most likely get thrown into a landfill, taking hundreds of years to disintegrate. However, Brednebeck's puts their cupcakes in a nice box that is much better for the environment than plastic and, the box is tied with a string that can be used again.

If you want a day in an amazing town (Chestnut Hill - Philly) - and an experience at a true old fashioned bakery, then Bredenbeck's is a must.  Their brochure says the following, "Bredenbeck's Bakery is a family owned and operated Philadelphia tradition since 1889. For well over a century, we've been welcoming customers to our historic shop in the heart of Chestnut Hill. We keep them coming back with our friendly, attentive service and our delicious cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies." - everything is true! :)

http://www.bredenbecks.com/

 ....and ps -  my fav thing there is the Lemon Pound Cake - amazing!!!