Plop, plop, fizz, fizz…OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS.

That is what Brendan was singing tonight when his cupcake bubbled up as our winner for IRON CUPCAKE|SODA POP. His winning creation was his classic Root Beer Float Cupcake. After last week, and his Curry defeat, I am relieved to see him win tonight. I was starting to worry that he would not play with us any more!

Chef Jeff and first time baker Bob were tied for second with Jeff’s Strawberry Soda Cupcake with Chocolate drizzle and Strawberry Pop Rocks topping, and Bob’s Orange Fanta Cupcake with Orange Buttercream. Both were fruity, flavorful and delicious.

My creation, the Laverne DeFazio cupcake, also known as the Milk and Pepsi Cupcake, came in last (or third - depending on how you look at it), but not for lack of trying. My Pepsi Cupcake with Milky Cream Center, hidden Chocolate Covered Pop Rocks and a Pepsi Foam Topping were finished off with some Rock Candy “Ice". While they may not have tasted the best, they were cute as hell!
It was no average Iron Cupcake this week. Tonight we had the Press! Tamara, a reporter and Mary Jo, a photographer from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel were on hand to document the silliness that is Iron Cupcake. They observed first hand how heated this competition can become. They even saw how frustrated Chef Jeff was when he learned that I, too, had Pop Rocks in my cupcake…especially when it took him 2 weeks to track Pop Rocks down in the first place!

Jeff was even caught on film perfecting his cupcake. (Notice how white and crispy his chef coat is tonight…very nice Jeff!)

Due to our ever-growing audience, this very well may be the last time that I have the opportunity to publish photos of most of our attendees..

Heather and EJ were there, they are huge Iron Cupcake fans. They have been with us several times before. EJ was wearing one of her cupcake tops…look how big she is getting!

Sarah and Miss Olivia (above) came to taste cupcakes and have a good time, one of these days we are going to get Sarah to enter the competition.

Liz and Cheri made it again, inspite of the fact that Liz had to rush home to pack for her vacation! Rachael was there, too. Hey, Rachael, how is it that you were not in any of my photos??!!!

Jeffrey came, and invited a whole bunch of friends.

WOO HOO! Look at all the handsome men who were there ...Dan, Bob - who baked our Orange Fanta entry, Todd and Mark - looking good gentlemen! Man, I have some HOT friends!

Erica came, and brought a pal, Sarah as well. Um, hey, Erica KNOWS Johnny Cupcake first hand, how cool is that?

Jeff and I had a blast meeting with Tamara from the Journal and telling her all about how we met and how Iron Cupcake was born. We are very hopeful that Tamara will be a long-term Iron Cupcake fan and will return for IRON CUPCAKE Challenge|Barbecue, which will take place 2 weeks from today, on July 28th. Iron Cupcake is open to YOU and all who would like to be a part. If you would like to participate, please email me mkecupcakequeenATwiDOTrrDOTcom and let me know! We would love to have you!