Unveiling the NEW "Biggins" Cupcake at The Cupcake Stop

Just looking at these amazing cupcake monsters makes me swoon.  That's right folks...the above pics showcase a scene from last week's unveiling of the "Biggins" cupcake at The Cupcake Stop. 

I initially heard about the "Biggins" through Cupcake Stop's e-newsletter and also found out that the flavor was masterminded by Chef Robert Hesse of Hell's Kitchen.  It was cool to see Robert at the big (pun intended) reveal, and Bo and I got to chat with him about how the "Biggins" came about.  Since I confessed to him that I don't typically watch the show, he explained that "Biggins" is an ode to his nickname on Hell's Kitchen. Makes sense.  And the cupcake definitely lived up to its name.

At exactly 1 p.m., Chef Robert huddled the crowd of hungry cupcake lovers and gave a brief overview about this cupcake and its creative origins.  (Watch the video here).  People seemed intrigued and their eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when Chef Robert held out the above pictured tray with "Biggins" cupcakes.  They were true beauties and in just a few seconds, the first tray was nearly empty.  Here's why...

The Biggins Cupcake - So what exactly is in a Biggins cupcake? Well it's a bit complex, for this is no ordinary treat.  Its base is expertly crafted with a rich, dark chocolate dough, stuffed with caramel and crushed walnuts.  What a nice surprise that was, giving the cake a wonderful ooey-gooey texture.  The cupcake is then topped with fluffy peanut butter mousse that is not too sweet and has a pleasing peanuty flavor, which isn't as intense as pure peanut butter.  I much rather prefer that, since I'm far from a PB freak, but aside from the taste, the light texture was just a priviledge to eat.  And I'm not done yet...for on top of that heavenly mousse, there was a chewy, chocolatey, black-out cookie that was oh so wonderful to take off and dip into the peanut butter mousse.  Bliss!

Availability and Cost:
The Biggins is now available as a regular Cupcake Stop flavor and is priced the same as all the other specialty cupcakes - around $3.

I highly, highly recommend it for all you chocolate and peanut butter heads.

3 Rich, Chocolatey and Peanut Buttery Mmmmms

The Cupcake Stop Truck - Manhattan locations vary
718.702.2825
www.cupcakestop.com

Cream Bakery - Cupcakes That Will Make You Swoon

Last week, I posted a note about a cupcake promotion from Cream Bakery for buy 1 get 1 free cupcake.  For those of you who know me personally, you won't be surprised to learn that I tried Cream bakery the very next day.  Being a sucker for sweet things, and cupcakes in particular, I just had to taste the deliciousness they were preaching.  And I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.

Although I didn't go to the bakery myself (I sent Dan in my stead), I got to sample Cream's cupcakes at a family birthday party last weekend.  Here are my thoughts and ruminations:

Cupcakes - From the minute I saw them, neatly wrapped in two 6 cupcake containers, I started salivating.  There were so many different flavors that my senses were on overload and I couldn't decide just which one (or more) I would try. 

Dan took advantage of the buy 1 get 1 free special of course, which limits you to 3 free cupcakes, so he paid for 9.  There were 5 varieties he picked including your standard vanilla and chocolate with different colored buttercream frosting and other fancier flavors too, including banana, red velvet and chocolate cheesecake.

I automatically gravitated to the chocolate cheesecake cupcake, which didn't have a creamy frosting like the others, but it was so rich that it didn't need a topper.  Wow! Once I bit into this soft mound of heaven, I knew I chose the right cupcake.  The chocolate dough was moist and not too sweet but still very chocolatey--and as soon as I took a bite out of the creamy, tangy cheesecake portion, my senses were delighted even further.  Overall, the cupcake was surprisingly light, given its rich ingredients and unlike a big slice of cheesecake, it went down easy.

Although I didn't try all the other cupcakes, I licked off the frosting on a few stragglers and was impressed with its sweet, velvety texture and its delightful taste.  I can't wait to sample the other varieties really soon.

Cost:
Despite the great deal we got with the buy 1 get 1 free, Cream's cupcakes are expensive at $2.00 - $2.75 each.  A dozen came out to $21, even with the aforementioned coupon.

3 Mmmms

Cream Bakery - 31-78 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.545.3800
R Train to Steinway Street

Cream Bakery is Here - Buy 1 Get 1 Cupcake

About 2 months ago, I mentioned the imminent opening of a new bakery on Steinway called Cream Bakery.  It's officially now open and while reviews have been mixed, I do think it's worth trying and I'm personally dying to check it out.  The following coupon provides a good incentive to go, as they're offering a buy 1 get one free cupcake special in honor of their grand opening.  I'm surely going to take advantage and check out the cupcake flavors including chocolate, vanilla, carrot, red velvet and banana. Mmmm...sounds like cupcake lover's paradise.

The above coupon expires on 8/31/10 and it limits you to 3 free cupcakes.

Let me know if you've already tried this place and what you thought of it, regardless of good or bad.

Cream Bakery - 31-78 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.545.3800
R/G Train to Steinway Street

The CupcakeStop Truck - Rich, Decadent Mobile Nibbles

The CupcakeStop Truck - Manhattan locations vary
718.702.2825
www.cupcakestop.com

I've been dying to try the famous CupcakeStop truck for so long, but I never caught it at the right time.  The other night after work, and after what was a very long, exhausting day, I spotted the CupcakeStop truck just a block away.  The opportunity to get a little treat before going home was so tempting that I had to seize it.  And was I glad that I did!

Background:
A little history behind the CupcakeStop: it's an adorably cute mobile truck serving cupcakes and cupcakes only.  The company prides itself in using fresh, high quality ingredients and everything is made from scratch.  What I really admire about them is that all unsold products are donated to City Harvest to feed the less fortunate.  Now that's what I like - a cupcake with a cause!

The Cupcakes:
The CupcakeStop varies up their daily menu and cupcakes range in flavor and creativity, from traditional vanilla to funky brownie cheesecake.  What I found really great and conducive to trying different flavors were the sizes.  You can either get a standard size cupcake, which is on the bigger size or you can try a mini, which is perfect.  It actually reminds me of a Crumbs mini, which is just right and so poppable. 

I tried two flavors from the truck including German chocolate cake and pineapple.  The German chocolate cake was a no brainer, as I'm a sucker for chocolate, but I had to really ponder about getting the pineapple.  In the end, both were great choices.

The German chocolate cake was my favorite, as the chocolate flavor was really intense but not too sweet.  I loved that it was stuffed with caramel custard--a nice little surprise that made the mini size feel more substantial, reminding me of a Baked by Melissa cupcake.  The dough was super moist and the frosting was delightful - topped with crunchy almonds and flaked coconut, it was the perfect indulgence.

While the former was a clear favorite, the pineapple cupcake shouldn't be forgotten.  The overall taste was zingy and refreshing with more great buttercream frosting enhanced with pineapple flavoring.  I liked that the pineapple essence was felt but that it wasn't overpowering.  It tasted very natural, not artificially flavored at all.

Service and Cost:
Service was good and prompt.  I didn't have to wait on line, and my cupcakes were placed in a neat little plastic container to prevent smearing and breaking.  It was all good and very well thought out.

Costs are a bit pricey but for a specialty such as these cupcakes, I thought they were OK.  The regular sized cupcakes are usually $2.50 with the exception of the German chocolate cake, which was $3.  The minis were $1, which seems cheap on the surface but for a teeny tiny thing, I think it's a bit much.

3 Mmmms