Sour Puss

When in San Francisco, do as the locals do. And that means grubbin' on some tasty sourdough bread. Iconic bakery, Boudin, is THE place to get a baguette in the city. We were in Fishermans' Wharf, but there are many others to check out. Down at the Wharf, well...the birds, they are mighty smart. As you will see below. Enjoy.

Chocolate Chippy?

IronCupcake:London's first challenge is this Monday, June 1st. The challenge is CHOCOLATE. Check out their site for more information. Wish I could be there! Looking forward to pix and stories!

IronCupcake:EARTH - 011_SUMMER BERRIES

The IronCupcake:Earth challenge for June is SUMMER BERRIES! If there is one thing I love about summer, aside from the sun, the fresh air and the outdoor parties, it is the delicious BLACKBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, AND RASPBERRIES. Use any combination or focus on just one. It is your choice for our JUNE 2009 challenge - SUMMER BERRY CUPCAKES

FINAL POSTING DAY is the 24th of every month: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 at 12 noon. All times are CENTRAL time.

TAKE NOTE:
• Photograph your baking experience and then post about it on your blog.
• Posting your recipe on your blog is optional.
• Cupcake Pops are allowed, provided they also LOOK like cupcakes.
• New creations only, please. No previously submitted cupcakes.
• In your post, please be sure mention that you are competing to win the following prizes, be sure to include reference and an active link to our prize providers and sponsors:

Our June ETSY PRIZE-PACK is from artists:

• A sweet cupcake ID bracelet by INSANEJELLYFISH, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5021935
• A groovy linocut piece from BLOCKHEAD PRESS http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6108705
  
• a sweet surprise from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com/
  
• PLUS, IronCupcake:Earth can not forget our good friend, CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382, who is now going to be doing a piece for our winner each month until further notice - sweet!

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget our corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS, http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com; TASTE OF HOME books, http://www.tasteofhome.com; a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com/. Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com .

• Please verify that all links are active.
• Post your favorite shot (two if you are showing a cross-section) of your cupcake to the Iron Cupcake flickr group, along with a brief summary of your post. Please include a link to your blog in the description and your blog name in the tags. No photos or summaries will be accepted via email.
• You can enter more than one cupcake, but each counts individually as separate entries. Each cupcake must be submitted to flickr and via email separately as well. NEW CREATIONS ONLY, no previously submitted cupcakes please.
  
• E-Mail your recipe(s), along with your first and last name and blog link to IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com . In your subject line, please include IC:IngredientName. Your cupcake recipe must be emailed in order to be eligible for voting and the prize. Please note: you must do BOTH the email submission and the flickr submission.
• Voting will begin no later than Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com and will be open through Monday, July 6 at 12 noon. Send your readers to that address to vote.
• Winner will be posted the night of July 7, before 11:59 p.m.
• Please refer your readers to the IronCupcake:Earth cuphub at http://www.ironcupcakeearth,com to become a part of the excitement.

GOING FORWARD: New ingredients will always be announced on the 1st of the month (or earlier). The submission time closes at 12 noon central on the 24th of the month, regardless of the day of the week. It had been suggested that I standardize these dates, so there you go.
Also, please be aware of the revised voting procedures, posted on the Iron Cupcake site.

ONE LAST THING: Any entry that is missing either its flickr post OR a complete email submission will not be included. So…please be sure to submit to both flickr and via email to be eligible for the vote. TIP: The 00X_received tag will be added to your flickr photo(s) when your submission is processed.

By participating in IRON CUPCAKE:EARTH you agree to have your recipe considered for use in a future Iron Cupcake:Earth cookbook – credited with your name and blog address (optional) attached. Actual prizes may vary, at the discretion of the artists/manufacturers.

Madison 1, Milwaukee 0

, originally uploaded by Olive Talique.

Beth over at Green Cricket dropped me a note to tell me about Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery that has just opened in Madison, WI. I have not found a website for them, but there are several reviews and such on Google.

While I have not visited it, YET, you can be sure I will in the coming weeks. Road Trip!

Crown and Crumpet

A couple doors down from Kara's Cupcakes in Ghirardelli Square is a tiny little shop attached to an uber-cute Tea House called the Crown and Crumpet. Inside? Adorable cupcakery and euro-goodies. For shopping, not eating. You can't go to one with out the other, so when in SF...make it a stop!

Crown & Crumpet
207 Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point
San Francisco, CA 94109
415/771.4252
http://www.crownandcrumpet.com

Kara to Share??

Do you know how busy this cupcake thing has made me? Anymore, it is a non-stop whirlwind of sweetness. Here I am, back from CA for more than a week and I still haven't had a chance to complete my CA blogging. With any luck I will get some more out to you all this weekend. For now, lets talk about Kara's Cupcakes.



Kara's is located in the Ghirardelli Square area of San Francisco. Clean and bright and modern. It has almost a hi-fashion boutique feeling to it. Their cupcakes match this pattern. Precise decorations and tight presentation.



My choice this day was the Salted Caramel Chocolate cupcake. See the caramel? See the salt? See the chocolate? Delicious. I could go for one right now.

If you find yourself in the Bay area, there are several locations to check out.

Kara's Cupcakes
Plaza Level
900 North Point
San Francisco, California 94109
P 415 351-CAKE (2253)
F 415 563-2252
http://www.karascupcakes.com

IronCupcake:Milwaukee feelin' a little BOOZY

Summer is here and everyone loves a cool cocktail on a warm night! What could be better than turning that magical elixer into a rockin' cupcake? Our fantastically funny friend, Dear Ruthie (yeah, she drinks) will be our special guest hostess for this June evening. In her honor, our theme is BOOZE! TO CLARIFY - ** ANY BOOZE IS GOOD BOOZE! ** Use whatever kind you like.

A perfect summer kick-off. In addition to Ruthie and her wackiness, we will also have raffle drawings, prizes and all the usual free cupcakes, drink specials and The Irish Pub's amazing $1 burgers.

The June challenge will take place on MONDAY, JUNE 22nd at 6 p.m.

As always, all bakers should pre-register at IronCupcakeMilwaukee@wi.rr.com.

As always, everyone is welcome and there is no fee to bake or judge.

IronCupcake:Milwaukee
BOOZE Challenge
Monday, June 22, 6 p.m.
The Irish Pub
124 N. Water Street
Milwaukee's Third Ward

UPDATED: Milwaukee Likes it SPICY!!!

We had LOTS of new bakers and a few trusty IC:M lifers baking this month. THIRTEEN different entries were spicing up our palettes and everyone seemed to be loving the new digs at The Irish Pub! A couple of new ones were Sandi from Minnesota (left) and the nights popular vote winner, Melissa (right).

Our new friends from The Spice House came in full force bringing lots of judges and gift cards for their 3 favorites.

** Our friends from the Journal Sentinel were there and have posted an awesome story documenting the nights festivities. You know what that means...new friends next month, woo hoo!

(Left to Right)

• Sandi Oh, one of the awesome IronCupcake:Earth bakers came all the way from Minneapolis via roadtrip to toss her hat in our ring with two entries Spiced Pineapple Cupcake and Coconut Spiced Cupcakes.
• Another new friend, Mattie, brought her awesome Haruko Cupcake, a Green Tea Cupcake with Lemon Curd and a Sour Cream Basil Icing. Mmmmm, I love those Asian flavors.

(Left to Right)

• It has been a while, but I knew for SPICY, I had to enter. Mine was called the Hot Milwaukee Iron Cupcake; a Spicy S'Mores Cupcake with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge. Topped with Spicy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ganache and a Homemade Marshmallow. For my efforts, I garnered the 3RD place partner's pick, complements of the SPICE HOUSE.
• The next entry was returning baker, Jenna, and her Triple Ginger Zen Cupcake with Wasabi Swirl. And she REALLY scored, taking home 3RD in the popular vote and 1ST as the SPICE HOUSE partners pick.
• The next entry was birthday girl Melissa's Chai Cupcake with Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. The birthday God's were with her as she won 1st place in the popular vote, taking home a $25 Gift Certificate to our new home, The Irish Pub. Thanks Keegan!

(Left to Right)

• Kristen tempted the crowd with her light summer treat, the Strawberry Basil Cupcake.
• We were happy to see Stacy and her GORGEOUS presentation of the Mango Chutney Cupcake, complete with henna-like frosting.
• Long time friend, Susie, brought her A game once again with her Spice Rack Cupcakes served in homemade Sugar Spice Bottles.

(Left to Right)

• Emily's 7-Spice Chai Cupcake incorporated Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Ginger, Fennel, Anise - with Cream Cheese Spice Frosting and Candy Coated Fennel Seeds. Wow!
• Jennifer joined us for the first time with a luscious Caramel Fleur de Sel Organic Caramel Cupcake with Salted Caramel filling and Vanilla Frosting. Caramel Glaze and Salt Sprinkle. She scored a close 2ND in the popular vote.
• Everyone's favorite crazy cupcaker, Ashley, whipped up some Salt 'n' Pepper Cupcake, incorporating Fresh Strawberry, Telicherry Pepper topped with Vanilla Buttercream and sprinkled with Fleur de Sel and Pepper.

• Last but not least was Emily's 5 Alarm Red Hot Red Velvet Cupcake. Hidden in each delicious bit is ground arbol chile and a pinch of ground red pepper. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that helps cool the palette. She scored 2ND as SPICE HOUSE partner's pick.

Many thanks to Dan, Chris and especially Bob, for all of their help last night. With Chef Jeff and Aimee unavailable, I could not have done it without them.

Pucker Up, Chicago!

Chicago's first Iron Cupcake challenge will take place on Monday, June 1st! The theme is citrus - perfect kick-off to summer. A couple of us Milwaukee Iron Cupcakers and thinking about making the trip and would love to see you there.

The event brought to you by Irma at Beautiful Cakes and the location is at:

VERANDA
5700 w. Irving Park Road

Chicago, IL 60634

(773) 283-8807

For more information, visit: http://beautifulcakeschicago.blogspot.com

CHARM GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

Hey Julie...you are the winner of the Cupcake with a Cherry on Top charm, complements of our friend over at etsy shop Cherry Creek Charms! Your prize? A super sweet silver charm with a pink CZ set into the frosting. Julie, our winner, has an awesome birthday this summer, and now it got a little sweeter!

I'm Julie said...

My best birthday present will be happening this summer, when I turn 40. Because my Husband is taking me to an Elvis Costello concert at a Winery in Seattle!!!!!!

Husband PLUS Boyfriend PLUS Winery PLUS Seattle weekend. GASP FAINT OMG and every other freak out with joy you can imagine. I'm so excited I could pee my pants.

Monday, May 18, 2009 11:03:00 AM

TONIGHT! ICM:Spicy!!!

Sweet or Spicy, Mild or Hot - put it in a cupcake and show us what you've got! SPICY is the challenge for IronCupcake:Milwaukee's May event. Our special partner is THE SPICE HOUSE; with 2 Milwaukee locations - one in the Milwaukee Public Market and one on Old World Third Street. We are lucky that The Spice House will be offering all Iron Cupcake Bakers a 10% discount coupon downloadable here to click and print. If you have never been in the shop on Old World Third Street, plan on spending some time inside. It smells heavenly and you will be mesmerized by all of the tasty variety. All herbs and spices are game...A HUGE PALETTE OF OPPORTUNITY!

As noted below IronCupcake:Milwaukee will be moving into our new home at THE IRISH PUB in Milwaukee's Third Ward. As always, we will have fantastic drink specials, $1 burgers on Mondays, quarter wings on Tuesday and one of the most awesome beer gardens in the city.

The May challenge will take place on THIS TUESDAY, MAY 26th at 6 p.m.
As always, all bakers should pre-register at IronCupcakeMilwaukee@wi.rr.com.

CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!!!

I Left My IronHeart (2.0) ...

One of my most important reasons for visiting San Francisco was to attend IronCupcake:SanFrancisco. To see what IC:M and IC:E has birthed. My first "baby", if you will. Our princess of IronCupcake:SF is Chelsea (center) and with her catering business KINGDOM CAKE. The IC:SF location is at THE LELAND TEA COMPANY with their gracious host, Will (left). Chelsea has transformed this small tea house on the other side of the country into another chapter of the Milwaukee sensation and its birth of IronCupcake.



Their bakers, like ours in MKE, are awesome, down-to-earth, and diverse...all sharing a love for our favorite little baked good. The challenge was BOOZE, in my honor - hmmm...what does that mean? And the entries were as follows (left to right):

• Chelsea - Pina Colada and Mojito Cupcakes
• Brendon - Vanilla Caramel Cognac Cupcake
• Susie - Champage & Strawberry (not shown)
• Dave - Mocha Porter Cupcake (not shown)
  
• Jennifer - Irish Car Bomb Cupcake (the winner)
  
• Liz - Prosecco Mimosa Cupcake
• Alissa - Harvey Wallbanger, Jack & Coke and Mudslide Cupcakes
• Be sure to visit my flickr pool to see more photos from this event.
  

It was SUCH A PLEASURE to meet everyone. I feel like I have a whole new group of friends in San Francisco. Each and every one of you is welcome at a Milwaukee challenge should your travels ever bring you to the mid-west! Thank you for welcoming me and my mom to your party. Below is a little video of their cupcake introductions.

That's Amoré!!!

Have you ever found yourself reading a book that you had to jump to the ending because you just couldn't wait? That's how I felt about blogging about my visit to Café Firenze – the restaurant of Top Chef's Fabio Viviani. We all know how much I love Fabio, his humor, his talents. But that is all just the beginning. When you walk into this incredibly gorgeous and massive restaurant you are greeted by dark woods, lush leathers, high tin ceilings, an indoor/outdoor waiting area, bustling staff. It is overwhelming. Would you believe that I got so caught up in the experience that I didn't even photograph the place?



Our waiter, Antonio, was a flirty Italian who was so attentive, it made the ridiculously incredible meal all the more amazing. Everything my family and I ordered was mouth watering and delicious – crab cakes, sauteed calamari, burrata salad, lobster ravioli, butternut squash ravioli, lamb shank, cannoli. Even the cocktails were irresistible...can you say Balsamic Strawberry Martini?!? Good God. What a night.



I would be a huge liar if I didn't tell you that it was a massive honor to meet Fabio Viviani. It is a rare find to meet a talented man who is genuinely sweet and charismatic and is running a business that is booming.

Many thanks to Antonio and his amazing service and to Fabio for being so gracious and humoring the Milwaukee Cupcake Queen in the process.

Café Firenze
563 West Los Angeles Ave
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 532-0048
http://www.cafefirenze.net/

GIVEAWAY!!! With a Cherry On Top!

Our friend over at etsy shop Cherry Creek Charms is having a birthday! To celebrate, she is GIVING AWAY one of her super sweet silver charms with a pink CZ set into the frosting. It is perfect for hanging on your favorite chain or bracelet.

Only readers of No One Puts Cupcake in a Corner can win and all you have to do is comment below with your best-ever birthday present (be sure to include a means of contacting you so we can notify the winner.)

Also, for an extra entry, buy ANYTHING from the Cherry Creek Charms site and gain an extra entry to the drawing, include your TRANSACTION ID in a SEPARATE COMMENT.

Winners will be drawn on Sunday, May 24 at 7 p.m. central time. GOOD LUCK!

Airing Their Sweet Laundry

Nestled in the Napa Valley is a lush and prosperous little area by the name of Yountville, CA. In an array of adorable little shops, galleries, restaurants is the Bouchon Bakery. The sweet baby of Bouchon Restaurant. Thomas Keller's latest creation, the same Thomas Keller of French Laundry fame.



We stopped for a little snacky on our way to San Francisco. I had the incredible citrus-pistachio brioche and mom had a beyond decadent cookie - frankly, the best cookie on earth - a chocolate shortbread sandwich cookie with a lush pastry cream in the center.



There are several locations of the Bouchon Bakery, including Vegas and NYC, but there is something so romantic and relaxed about Yountville. I suggested to my bff, Bob, that we quit our jobs, run away to Napa, get jobs waiting tables and live on brioche and wine. Sounds like a little slice of heaven to me.

Bouchon Bakery
6528 Washington Street
Yountville, CA 94599
707/944.2253
www.bouchonbakery.com

Ooo La La, Gigi's !!!

As we pulled into a tiny, unassuming strip mall in more rural part of the Napa Valley, we were greeted by this Mary Engelbright-like clown sitting in the shade, greeting the passers-by and offering face painting to the visitors of Gigi's Cupcakes. The fun clown on the outside was only a smidgen of what was to come on the inside. An array of cupcake collectibles and adorable little cupcakes with delectable flavors to match.



We tried the Meyer Lemon and the Strawberry cuppies. Mom and I agreed, these are the best cupcakes that we have eaten together. Rich, fresh flavors. Light frostings. Simply Yum!



Gigi's owner, Laura Young (far left) named the shop after her little Yorkshire Terrier, Gigi, and has dedicated this small space to all things sweet, cute and delicious. If you are in Napa, THIS IS THE PLACE to go. Seriously, the best in the Napa and even Los Angeles, from what we have tasted. Thank you Laura, for your hospitality.

Gigi's Cupcakes
3261 Browns Valley Rd
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 259-5353
http://www.gigiscupcakesnapa.com/