Foodie Friday: My Love of Cupcakes!

When it comes to cupcakes I know of people who are wholly dedicated to a specific type or "brand" of cupcakes.  Me, on the other hand, I do not discriminate, I will try cupcakes from anywhere!!!  and there aren't many cupcakes and I do not like. 


I have to say that with the start of Cupcake Wars in 2009, they became a very popular item.  I have always loved baked goods -cookies, cakes, donuts, pastries, etc.  But I was never a real fan of store bought cupcakes, especially ones that had color sprayed onto the frosting -GROSS!   Even today when kids bring cupcakes to school, I do not like to eat them because they're just so mediocre to other cupcakes I've had (and made!). 

I would say I started making cupcakes when I was in grad school.  Typically they would be funfetti cupcakes, and would usually be like Valentine's Day ones or Easter ones with matching frosting.  Still pretty mediocre, but they were easy, and cupcakes in my opinion are small indulgences, so they're ok. 

When I started going to the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe (which I've mentioned before) cupcakes at that time were always something they featured.  My favorite was a fluffernutter cupcake -it was peanut butter cake soaked in simple syrup with a toasted marshmallow "frosting."  It was the best cupcake APBC has ever had -in my opinion.

 Fluffernutter on the right.  

Around then I also spent some time in New York City, but only saw whatever cupcakes were being sold at Junior's or Zaro's in Grand Central Station, and never bought any.  Majority of my time was spent on the Lower East Side so I was not yet wise to the plethora of bake shops in Manhattan and it was a while before I had even visited any of those shops.  I have since been to Magnolia Bakery in Midtown Manhattan and to Butter Lane on the Lower East Side, but I have never been Sprinkles (which I'm sure some might think is a crime!).  

 This is from Butter Lane. Chocolate Salted Caramel I believe.

After moving back to Florida a few years ago the Disney cupcakes took over and sometimes it is difficult to refrain from hopping over to a park or a hotel to get one. They are about $4-$5 a piece, but they do have some fabulous choices!

 Red Velvet Cupcake from Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios

 Chocolate Peanut Butter also from Starring Rolls...

...and a Star Wars Weekend version.

 

 Pineapple Coconut from Seasons at EPCOT.

White Chocolate Elephant cupcake from Animal Kingdom.

 "The King" from Pop Century -inspired by Elvis with peanut butter frosting, bacon and chocolate.

 S'mores Cupcake from Roaring Forks at the Wilderness Lodge

 Mickey Cookies & Cream from the Boardwalk Bakery

 Pina Colado Cupcake from the Polynesian, definitely a favorite!!

 Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcake also from the Polynesian. 

 Dulce de Leche Cupcake from Contempo Cafe from the Contemporary.

 Pink Lemonade Cupcake also from Contempo Cafe.

 Mickey Mouse cupcake from Disney's Art of Animation.

I know there are others, and clearly I have a problem!  Of course the problem doesn't end with Disney cupcakes.  Hollis Wilder has been a contestant numerous times on Cupcake Wars, and coincidentally her cupcake shop, Sweet! by Holly,  is only about 30-45 minutes away.  The best part about the shop is that on Mondays they sell their mini cupcakes for only $1! What I love most is that the minis are a perfect balance between cake and frosting, and they have some pretty tasty flavors.  

These are just a few of my cupcake hauls from Sweet!

  

Last summer on my drive to and from NY I visited another cupcake shop that has been on tv: Georgetown Cupcake.  I will advise anyone who wants to visit, be aware that in the heat of summer the frosting may melt right off your cupcakes. 

They still taste pretty good though.  

And finally, my most recent cupcake discovery as been The Yum Yum Cupcake Truck.  Of course by recent I mean within the last year, but no visit to a central Florida food truck night is complete without taking at least two cupcakes home!  

So many cupcakes...has me thinking.