Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Cupcake Crazy!

Cupcakes are hot!  What is not to love... they are delicious, easy to eat, versatile, fun, lovely, and did I mention delicious!  Cupcakes are no longer just for elementary school class parties; they've come a long way.  Today's cupcakes are gourmet creations and pieces of art.  From books, to bakeries, to weddings, cupcakes are everywhere.

A trend for the last several years has been to use tiers of cupcakes for weddings instead of the traditional cake.  I love this idea.  It makes a gorgeous presentation, you can have a large selection of flavors, and it is easy to serve because nobody needs to stand there and slice the cake and serve it in plates. 

Cupcakes have definitely become an art form in recent years.  Decorating a small surface such as a cupcake is less intimidating than decorating a full size cake.

Aren't these so lovely and feminine!

A popular book for the last few years has been Hello Cupcake by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.  It is a wonderful book full of pictures and directions for all kinds of fun ways to decorate cupcakes.  The same authors just came up with a follow up called What's New, Cupcake?  These are both great books!


Portland is a great cupcake town.  We have some amazing bakeries that specialize in cupcakes.

Cupcake Jones recently relocated from the Pearl to NW 10th Ave.  The first time I ever walked past Cupcake Jones I was drawn in by the amazing aromas and the beautiful Pearl Cupcake in their front window.  The Pearl is a white velvet cupcake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream, and topped with vanilla bean butter cream icing and an edible pearl made of white chocolate.

Cupcake Jones' Pearl Cupcakes
Cupcake Jones
307 NW 10th Ave.  Portland


Saint Cupcake now has two locations in Portland both on the east and west sides.  I am absolutely crazy for the Chocolate cream cheese cupcake!  It is a rich chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate cream cheese swirl frosting.  Saint Cupcake has many vegan options available. 

mmmm... Saint Cupcake's Chocolate Cream Cheese Swirl cupcake

Saint Cupcake
1138 SW Morrison, Portland
3300 SE Belmont St. Portland

Bliss Bake Shop has a huge cupcake menu with daily features.  I recommend the Chocolate Chip Mint Bliss Cupcake, a chocolate cake filled and topped with mint butter cream with a dark chocolate drizzle.

Chocolate Chip Mint Bliss Cupcake

Bliss Bake Shop
4708 NW Bethany Blvd.  Portland

Crave Bake Shop is a newly opened bakery in Lake Oswego, just south of Portland.  The fantastic thing about Crave is that it is 100% gluten free!  Their creations are amazing and I guarantee you will never miss those glutens.  Try their Pina Colada Cupcake, a coconut cake with pineapple cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut.

Crave's Gluten Free Pina Colada Cupcake

Crave Bake Shop
460 5th St.  Lake Oswego


Artisan Cake Company is the place for amazing artistic creations.  We first learned of them a few months ago when we attended Foodportunity PDX.  Their display was amazingly lovely.  I sampled one of their red velvet cupcakes and was equally impressed by the taste.  They create masterpieces.  You must go to their website to view some of their amazing creations.

Adorable hummingbird cupcakes by Artisan Cake Co.

Artisan Cake Company

All of this cupcake talk is driving the panther crazy.  Time to satisfy that sweet tooth!

-The Panther






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