I was walking along 13th, minding my own business.  Not looking for any trouble.  I had just done a work out at Optimal Sport Health Club with Antonio, feeling really good about myself, my muffin top and the world in general.

Then BAM!  I ran into it.  I ran into Sweet Box!  I was seduced by the adorable pink logo, the Carrera marble counter, the pastel cake platters with the glass domes.

I opened the door and that all too familiar scent of sweet love floated out of Sweet Box.  Freshly baked cupcakes!

I tried one and fell in love!  There’s a reason that Gretchen, the owner, decided to open a store after 2 successful years of running Sweet Box Truck!

The gayborhood is so much better off with her!

Cupcakes, brownies, bars, mini-cupcakes and coffee coming next week.

Want to learn more?  Tweet with Gretchen at Sweet Box Truck

If you love cupcakes, if you love pink, if you love adorable, if you love sweet.  You’ll love Sweet Box!

13th AND Pine.

215-237-4647

I stumbled on the cutest bakery, just off of South Street in Philadelphia.  I had to check it out, ever since I saw the Facebook post about their HOT WING COOKIES.  So last week, I headed down to South Street.  As I was walking south on 5th Street,  the large red logo letters POPPED off of the window, COOKIE CONFIDENTIAL.

I walked in and started talking to the tattooed girl with a huge smile who was behind the counter, turns out, she was the owner!

unique cookies

I saw a Facebook post a week or two ago about their HOT Wing cookies, my initial thought was, “Ew, Gross!”  UM, SO WRONG!  Think savory scone!  Ever seen Ina Garten make savory scones?   Don’t judge!  These cookies were delicious.  A dense consistency that just sort of gave way almost like a butter cookie!  It had rich warm flavors that began to get warm, and warmer, and then a little sting! …. …. and there’s the hot sauce she talked about.  Delicious!  I also tried the Cheesesteak cookie, I gotta tell you.  I was a skeptic, but am now a huge fan!  For all my vegan boys and girls out there!  Cookie Confidential offers a vegan chocolate chip cookie that is too die for!

delicious ugly cupcakes

As we talked, I looked around and noticed Cookie Confidential also sold cupcakes, but not pretty cupcakes, not sexy, not even an average looking, plain out – ugly!  ahaha, who cares, they were perfection – IN A JAR or IN A  PUSH POP!  Yes, the most delicious cupcakes, served in mason jars, layers of cupcake and icing!  The coolest thing I had was the PUSH POP cupcake, you literally ate it like a lollipop!  Mini cupcakes that were piled on top of each other, I had to PUSH the cupcake to eat it!

I loved how everything in the bakery had the cute little “Cookie Confidential” logo on it.  They even sell t-shirts, what I didn’t tell Melissa, the owner, is how much I LOVE graphic T shirts and how much I would LOVE LOVE  LOVE to wear a CC T-shirt around Philly!

Dear Foodiez,

I was so stoked to be asked to help judge the “chef” competition of the Gayborhood Games last Saturday night!

In the picture above from L to R, Alejandro Morales & R. Eric Thomas – Comedian Contestants , Steve McCann – JUDGE , Aeryanah Von Moi – JUDGE and myself. Everyone in the picture had me laughing my ass off. I don’t know how Alejandro and Eric, didn’t win the comedian category, the three of us were screaming laughing as we waited for the event to begin. When I was talking to Steve, I remember saying to him, “How did I not know you were this funny?” Then there was MS. VON MOI, she is a character that everyone needs to experience!

I was so lucky, I got to laugh hysterically AND eat cake!

Ms. Von Moi and I had the daunting task of noshing on 7 different cakes submitted by local restaurants, chefs and bloggers. When Ms. Von Moi was interviewed before the contest, she was asked, “What are you looking for in these desserts?” She replied, “I’m hoping they’re, moist ….. like me.” I cracked up. I prayed I would be asked what I was looking for, I planned to say, “I’m hoping the desserts are moist…. like Ms Von Moi!” Anyway, I digress! Back to the contest, I grabbed Ms Von Moi’s hand and said, “Let’s eat cake bitch!” She spun on one heel, twirled her hair and we were off to the eat!

I was in foodie heaven, chocolate cake, pumpkin cheese cake, vanilla cake, tres leches cake, and cup cakes!!!

Tonight, the cakes were the #2 thing on my list of “Things I enjoyed”. My #1 was being able to watch Ms. Von Moi! I really want to enlist her to review food with me foreva! She had me laughing with comments like, “Oh girl, that shit is fierce!”, “Oh, no, that cheesecake tastes like bacon!”, and “Oh yes Miss Thing, I love this one!” She made the whole evening a complete pleasure!

In the end the Pumpkin Cupcake from Philly Cupcake won! Beating out Philly Chocolate, The Prime Rib, Josh Can’t Cook, Terra and last year’s winner – More Than Just Ice Cream.

I’d like to thank Bruce Yelk for inviting me to judge, Philly Cupcake for the amazing Pumpkin Cupcake and Ms Von Moi for an evening filled with laughter!

Dear Foodiez,
I blame Jerseyshore, Jerseylicious, therealhousewivesofnewjersey, Growing up Gatti,  and The Sopranos, for the newly found fame of Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ. More After the JUMP
I think Tony and Carmela Soprano’s thick Jersey accents and mysterious mob lifestyles put the Jersey cahce on the map. Growing Up Gatti,  continued feeding American TV viewing public’s addiction.   Like any  junkie the American public took whatever low grade drug was around… ie. jersey shore, …licious, …. realhousewives there of.

Well, some smarty pants over at the FOODNETWORK said, “The public’s addicted to Jersey goombas – let’s put an apron on one and call him “CAKE BOSS”.

Ladies and Gentleman, may I present – Buddy! Buddy is a part owner of “the family business”, Carlo’s Bakery. To quote Grace from Will & Grace, “Look at this mook with the 90 mile an hour hair.” Buddy’s got what the public wants….

My 13 year old niece HAD HAD HAD to go to Carlo’s Bakery on our recent family trip to NYC. She watches Cake Boss and loves Buddy and his 90 mile an hour hair. So at 7 am we were off to Carlo’s Bakery to avoid the possible 3 hour wait to get in and buy some of Buddy’s culinary delights. We arrived at 7:15 and were about 10th in line. We were issued a ticket to get inside the bakery AND THEN once inside, we took  number and waited for service, which was, very good (I was shocked).

It’s a kitchy little bakery. Uber old school Italian. All the usual suspects in an Italian bakery, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, pies, cannoli, and cupcakes. Buddy’s sister was on hand to manage the bakery the day of our visit, super sweet, a real, “Carmela” type. You know you have to be polite, and not mess with her or else.

I saw two things that made me sit up and take notice, Carrot Cupcakes and Cannoli. Take dirty to me Buddy, show me who’s BOSS!! Both were ok. I was honestly expecting this old school goomba bakery to bang out an awe inspiring cannoli…. eh. I gotta say it….. Termini Brothers blows them out of the water. Next, the cupcake, yeah the frosting was good, but …. the cake… eh. Philly Cupcake can throw down a way better cuppy!

I’m really not hating on Cake Boss or Carlo’s. It’s the same as the time I met Duff from Ace of Cakes at Charm City Cakes. Duff did a cake for a function that I attended, and I need to tell you all – Night Kitchen, Whipped Bake Shop or Bredenbeck’s could have made a better cake. I know this because I’ve tasted a sample from all of the above!

I’d like the Cake Boss to cross over the Benny and lay try a little turf war with Termini. Maybe see if he can tangle with the boyz at Philly Cupcake. Hell, I’d like to see him take on Chef Amy at Night Kitchen, she’s cream him with her butter cream!

Melissa's Minis

Dear Foodiez,

On a recent trip to New York City, I stopped in to one of the cutest little shops.

Read more after the JUMP!!!At “baked by melissa” everything is mini.  The store is about 150 sq feet total.

The cupcakes are a tiny bit larger than a quarter.  Mini bite sized portions of deliciousness!!  They sell the minis in boxes of 6, you can mix and match.  We tried Pumpkin Spice, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Cinnamon, and Red Velvet!   My favorite, Pumpkin Spice – damn my addiction to pumpkin!

The best part, I ate these little guyz with ZERO guilt!!!  I mean really, how bad can a cupcake the size of a quarter actually be for me?

The factor here is CUTENESS!  These tiny little cuppies could taste like dog doo doo and I’d still buy them.

Here’s the best part, you can have them UPS’d to your home!  I have to say, I’m brainstorming for a reason to UPS these little cuppies to someone.  Seriously, the you just want to hug them!!

baked by melissa

Pumpkin Cupcake

Dear Foodiez,

I saw a facebook post from More Than Just Ice Cream that they were serving Pumpkin Cupcakes.  More after the JUMP!!!More Than Just Ice Cream’s owners, Rachelle and Dalton are so talented when it comes to the fresh, fun food they turn out, especially the baked goods! This fall they’re really kickin’ up a storm with pumpkin.  Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Cupcakes!

Whenever, I hear pumpkin, I automatically think of my mom’s pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll.  The flavor of the sweet pumpkin mixed with cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg!  My mom can rock a pumpkin roll!!!

When I tasted Rachelle’s Pumpkin Cupcake at More Than Just Ice Cream, I was instantly transported back to Shamokin, PA, to when I was a kid, eating my mom’s cream cheese filled pumpkin roll.  Ahh, literally, sweet memories!!!  Rachelle’s cupcakes are moist and delicious!  Men line up for her cupcakes and I’ll certainly fight to get to the front of the line.

If you want a brilliant treat, run to More Than Just Ice Cream!!  Pumpkin season is short!!

Nosh Guy & Michael, Philly Cupcake Co-Owner

Everyone likes to watch them make cupcakes, honestly, what were you people thinking?  Tisk Tisk.  Read more after the JUMP!!!

At some point during the week of September 13th, Philly Cupcake will begin giving the passers-by on 12th Street a Cupcake Peep Show!  Not even a year old and already getting so big!  Philly Cupcake is expanding into an additional 500 square feet of space on 12th Street.  Adding an Art Kitchen that is going to be 100% on display!  Like to watch?  Stroll on by and watch their artisan bakers create their award-winning cupcakes and some new creations, get this… a “Chocolate Covered Brownie on a Stick” – wait I just had a mini-stroke!  Ok, I’m back… They’re also serving a “Cupcake Sandwich”!  Need something to wash down your sandwich – have one of their “Chocolate Liquor Shooters”!

When you stop by – tell them you want “the nosh guy’s favorite”  – that would be the Sweet Potato Cupcake – literally my favorite in Philly!  In the words of my girl Jackie at Cupcake Karma, “I’m not here to champion a cupcake, but that thing is freakin’ amazing!” Yeah, she liked it too!

They also have what they call “The Lunch Box”, a Peanut Butter and Jelly, a Carrot Cake W. Cream Cheese Icing, a Teacher’s Pet (Spiced Applesauce w. raisins), and a Chocolate Cupcake!  Wait, is this supposed to be shared?  ‘Cuz, I think I can handle all 4 of those for lunch my damn-self!

Hook up with Philly Cupcake on Facebook - just be warned, this will feed your cupcake addiction.  I’m constantly getting end of day sale notices.  Here’s one from last week, “All cupcakes are only $1.75 tonight until closing. Now’s the time to try those flavors you’ve wondered about.”

Philly Cupcake is showing us that size does matter, bigger is better, and yes, it is fun to watch!

Philly Cupcake
12th & Chestnut
215-625-4888

Cupcake Warz

Dear Foodiez,

1 Nite.
11 Judges.
6 Bakeries.
18 Cupcakes.

War is hell! And in this case – very fattening!  It may seem like a dream come true – a blind taste test of 18 cupcakes.   Trust – it can become overwhelming after …. about bite number …. 9, it’s at this point one realizes …… wait, I’m only half way through.  Panic begins to set in as you realize, I’m actually getting sick of cupcakes.  LOL~  Then you take a drink of milk, a deep breath and you move on.  You dig in and get the job done!

More on the war after the JUMP!!!

Ok foodiez, here’s a breakdown of the playa’z & the game.

What better way to judge a cupcake contest than to invite cupcake bakers, food bloggers, food writers and a few self-proclaimed cupcake addicts!

Cupcake Warz Judges

The Playa’s:
Judges
Jackie (baker) of Cupcake Karma
Colleen (baker/blogger) of Sweet Swallows
Jason (addict) of Philly Ad Kids
Drew (writer) of City Paper
Shariff (addict) & masterofnone

Colleen & Jackie

Kristin (addict) & bombshell
Miles (addict) & style monster
SteveCis (addict) & social media guru
Justin (addict) & proclaimed cupcake expert
ChrisG521 (addict) & fame monster
Thekrismohfanz (addict) & flash mobber

6 Chocolate Entries

_____________

The Bakeries:
Philly Cupcake
Flying Monkey
Brown Betty
Call Me Cupcake
ButterCream  Philadelphia
Whipped Bake Shop

The Game

It was really simple.  6 Bakeries entered 3 selections.  A Vanilla/Vanilla, a Chocolate/Chocolate, and a Wild Card.  The Wild Card could be anything the bakery felt was their absolute best cupcake.  All 6 bakeries were judged in 8 categories.  1.  Best Cake.  2.  Best Icing.  3.  Best Presentation.  4.  Best Vanilla/Vanilla.  5.  Best Chocolate/Chocolate.  6.  Best Wild Card Cupcake.  7.  Most Unique Cupcake.  8.  Cutest Cupcake.

Now, I fell compelled to say, “Don’t hate the playa…. hate da’ game!”  But in this case, Imma ask you to not hate either.  Cuz’ I invited the playas and I kinda created the game.  And did we have some game?!  All entries were identified with a letter, judges were issued ballots and instructed to identify each category winner by its letter – notes were permitted!

CAN I GETA DRUMROLL?????????????????

AND THE WINNERZ  R……………

Philly Cupcake Sweet Potato

Best Icing
It’s a 3 Way!  Easy, a 3 way tie!
1.  Whipped Bake Shop’s Chocolate Icing.
2.  Brown Betty’s Cream Cheese Icing on their Red Velvet
3.  Philly Cupcake’s Cream Cheese Icing on their  Sweet Potato

(This was the  most divisive of all categories -  judges raved about several, and judges spit out some… again, don’t hate my playa’z!)

Best Cake
A two-way tie!
1.  ButterCream Philadelphia’s Banana / Nutella
2.  Philly Cupcake’s Chocolate / Chocolate

(Buttercream’s strongest showing all night!  Banana makes moist cake – bada bing!  Some of the playa’s asked for more milk to wash down some pretty dry cake…. dry cupcakes make me sad….)

Best Presentation
Winner: Philly Cupcake’s Chocolate / Chocolate.
Runner Up: Whipped Bake Shop’s Vanilla w. Lemon Curd filling

Beauty is only skin deep – but ugly goes to the bone.  Let me tell you, it’s no surprise that you’ll see the winners here in other categories too!  While they don’t have to be pretty to taste good…. it’s just so much easier to love them when they’re pretty.  Wait, that makes me come off sounding shallow?

Best Vanilla / Vanilla

Brown Betty

Winner: Brown Betty
Runner Up:  Philly Cupcake

Personally, I’m not a vanilla fan.  I like a little summin’ summin’ in the things I eat – but my playa’z all loved Betty’s.  I gotta say Betty’s Vanilla Cake kinda rocks houze.

Best Choc / Choc
Winner: Whipped Bakeshop
Runner Up: Brown Betty

Ok, here’s my category!  I didn’t judge – but I did taste and I have to agree – they playa’z got this right!  When I tasted Whipped Bakeshop’s chocolate, I yelled out, “YES!”  But you should know, I’m easy!  Not cheap, but when it comes to chocolate, I’m eazy!

Best Wild Card
Winner:  Philly Cupcake’s Sweet Potato
Runner Up:  Brown Betty’s Red Velvet

Again, I didn’t judge – but we all know … the nosh guy… LUVZ this cupcake!  TROOF!

Flying Monkey's Irish Car Bomb

Most Unique
Winner: Flying Monkey’s Irish Car Bomb
Runner Up: Whipped Bake Shop’s Vanilla w. Lemon Curd Filling

Truly a unique combination of textures and flavors!  Nearly a clean sweep in this category!  The playa’z were emphatic that these two really stood out!  I haven’t had a drink in nearly 10 years, but this was just like tippin’ a pint!

Cutest Cupcake
Winner: Whipped Bakeshop’s Vanilla
Runner Up: Philly Cupcake’s Sweet Potato

Ok, if Coco Channel ate cupcakes, she’d have picked the Vanilla cupcake from Whipped Bakeshop.  Simple.  Classic.  Elegant.  Adorable.  “Dress shabbily, notice the dress, dress impeccably, notice the woman.”  Coco Channel.

Whipped Bakeshop

While, not everyone can be a winner, there is no such thing as a bad cupcake!

The next time you’re hankering for a lil summin’ sweet.  Check out any of the bakeries that so generously provided product to this taste test!  Each one has a uniqueness that sets them apart.

What a blast we had!  Thanks everyone!  What’s next?  Did someone say Cannoli Warz?

The Truck

Dear Foodiez,

Walking along 12th Street last night I noticed something out of the ordinary.  The usual crack hookers that usualy hang at 12th and Locust have been replaced with the “Call Me Cupcake” truck!

The “Call Me Cupcake” truck is committed to spending Fridays from 8 pm – 11 ish in the Gayborhood!

Now if you’re having dinner in the Gayborhood you can grab a cuppie from the truck at 12th and Locust!!

theyummycupcake.com

Philly Cupcake Sweet Potato

Dear Foodiez:

Let the record show that Foodrulez.com gave props to the Sweet Potato cupcake last month!

However, this month, they take the cake from Philadelphia Magazine as Best Snack in the Gayborhood!

Philadelphia Magazine stated, “Philly Cupcake is like falling down the rabbit hole. With mannequins. The to-die-for cupcakes (our faves are Twix Dream and The Massacre) and random stuff dipped in chocolate (Swedish fish!) make Wonderland seem boring.”

Personally, I recall High 5′ing Michael the owner when he told me they have a Twix Cupcake!

Way to go Philly Cupcake!  Way to make the gays proud!  Now all you need to come up with is a sugar-free, carb free, fat-free cup cake and all the boys leaving 12th St and Fusion will rush in to grab one.  Lord knows the boys need to keep the abs poppin’

Philly Cupcake