Sweet Little Devil!

Just stop it. How could this pendant be any more awesome? We all know that sweets can be a little naughty and this pendant sums it up perfectly. Etsy shop owner, SweetGalaxy has an array of adorable goodies just waiting for you to nibble on!

OK, I admit it...I just bought this...it is going to look great with my new Johnny Cupcakes shirt that I just bought for my birthday.

Diarama Cupcakes

Saturday in the Park: Tie-Dye Cupcakes with Psychedelic Buttercream Frosting and a Dog, originally uploaded by cupcakequeen.


Cuter than any school project you could imagine!

6 Tips for IronCupcake:Milwaukee Judges

As IronCupcake:Milwaukee as grown...massively...we have developed some tips to make the event even more fun for our judges.

1. Buy tickets online. It's faster. Plus, we will have a seperate line for online ticket holders.
2. Bring CASH and EXACT CHANGE for tickets at the door. $7
3. Be on time. Event is first come, first serve - even with online tickets.
4. Eat lots of eggs. Why? An empty egg carton makes for a great cupcake tasting tray. Go green, bring one with you!
5. Go Green! Grab a bunch of friends and pile into a car and get your cupcake on!
6. Come Hungry!

What's in a Name...

Beneath a cloak of Dark Chocolate lurks layers of unspeakable Deathcake goodness...Only at Seattle's Cupcake Royale and only until Valentine's Day

iPad - Is it really all that new?

Steve Jobs introduced the new Apple iPad yesterday. You will see on the video, that the iPad was actually introduced in 2007. There must have been some kinks to work out and thus the delay for the rest of us to learn of it. My question now is, are the earlier iPod introductions really just paving the way for this Maxi-iPad, making the future iPod the new Mini-iPad?

Brain Slug Cupcakes!

Brain Slug Cupcakes!, originally uploaded by the small cat club.

From SeriousEats.com: Artist Alicia Traveria made these awesome Futurama brain slug-themed cupcakes for a birthday celebration. Cherry buttercream brains...delicious. [via Craftzine]

Don't Touch My Squiggle!

From Brandchannel.com by Barry Silverstein

The Hostess Cup Cake is one of the most renowned snacks in the junk food world.

Hostess, the brand that also gave us the immortal Twinkie and the absurdly named Ding Dong, invented the Hostess Cup Cake in 1919. However, it wasn't until 1950 that they pumped vanilla creme filling into the chocolate cake and, more significantly, applied the famous squiggle to the top of each cup cake -- seven circles of white icing that, according to Hostess, "created the best selling snack cake in history."

This year, that trademarked squiggle is sixty years old -- and for the first time, Hostess is fighting to make sure the design that identifies its Cup Cake is unique. In fact Hostess, owned by Interstate Bakeries Corporation, the largest US cake wholesaler, has sued Little Debbie, owned by the smaller McKee Foods, for infringing on their signature squiggle.

One look at Little Debbie's Chocolate Cupcakes and you'll know why. That's right, to the tops of their cup cakes, Little Debbie shamelessly applied a squiggle similar in color and shape to the Hostess squiggle.

The attorneys will have to wrestle it out for a while before we know the outcome -- but the visual evidence looks pretty compelling in Hostess' favor. In the mean time, both Hostess and Little Debbie have a message for consumers: Let them eat cake.

Note...While they are at it, looks like Oreo sees a good thing, as their Cakester box looks remarkable like the others!

Cute Meter Overload!

Tote, originally uploaded by florspace.

Check out this ADORABLE tote from ETSY shop FLORSPACE. Her site reads:

--- Sweet Cupcake Love ---
NEW for Spring 2010
RRP$75

One of the sweetest prints I've ever set my eyes on! Perfect little scrumptious treats are all over classic cute pink gingham! Yummy cupcakes, macaroons, chocolate biscuits, ice-cream sandwich... calorie-free! Yaaaay!

Our ever coveted classic everyday tote is so popular, they get snapped up pretty fast! Carefully made with hand-finished handles strong enough to hold your laptops, books and all. Perfect for lugging around your everyday essentials yet without compromising on style.

Treat yourself. You know you deserve it!

Mixed Metaphors :-)

Congrats to our friend Ashley, a.k.a. Miss Cupcake!
Stack'd Burger Bar is proud to announce the Stack'd Cupcake, made by none other than Milwaukee's own Miss Cupcake. Available as Red Velvet or Carrot Cake and served with or without icecream. Stack'd is located at 170 S. 1st Street in Milwaukee's 5th Ward.

gorgeous cupcakes & photography

literature + cupcakes, originally uploaded by *coco cake cupcakes* -- vancouver, bc.

www.cococake.com
www.cococakecupcakes.blogspot.com

photo copyright Amy Pelletier Photography in Vancouver, BC

matcha green tea buttercream, chocolate cupcake, originally uploaded by *coco cake cupcakes* -- vancouver, bc.

A Little Diddy 'Bout...

DIANE! Pathieu that is.

You can't help but love her. She is always the one bundled up in a parka in the middle of a blizzard, shrowded by an umbrella in torenntial rain...you know..reporting to Milwaukee our extreme weather conditions, car accidents, court stories, etc. It turns out that the TMJ4 reporter and anchor, Diane Pathieu is a sweet & savory fan as well. When she found out our February IronCupcake:Milwaukee challenge was BACON, she was jazzed to be our guest judge. Frankly, I am thrilled. Having been a faithful Ch. 4 viewer forever, I feel like I know her...she seems like such a cool gal and I can't wait to have her at our event.

Pizza Man, Interrupted

Eastside icon, Pizza Man, burned down yesterday; after 40 years in business. I have been going there for 15 of those years. Good dates, bad dates, birthdays, casual dinners, girls night out...even Ma and Pa Ploy got to go there on a visit. I stopped by the ruins on my way home tonight. It was surreal. Like a friend had died. There were at least a dozen people scattered around the area, just quietly staring at the rubble, taking pictures. A friend was lost yesterday.
It is so encouraging to see that the owners are optimistic of regrowth. On facebook there is a post that reads "saw the inside from the street. Looks like we may be able to salvage the bar antiques!!!!" On twitter, a post "Wine glasses still hanging above bar. Wine tree standing! "
They are brainstorming ways to support and raise money for the displaced tenants and employees. If you are familiar with fund-raising efforts, email the owners if you can help them get started. Who knows, maybe an IronCupcake:PIZZA is in our future.

Gone National!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

MSNBC picked up the recent IronCupcake story that originated at our local NBC affiliate, TMJ4. What could be better than the fact that we are listed in the WEIRD NEWS section. Perfection! Too cool not to share!

ICM:BEER Challenge

The crowd was bubbling with excitement for this weeks incredible IronCupcake:Milwaukee BEER challenge. Our biggest event to date, with hundreds of judges, 2 dozen bakers and whole lotta cupcakin' goin' on. We raised money for the Wisconsin Brewer's Guild - which supports independent local brewers; as well as monies for the Red Cross Haitian relief efforts. This city is so awesome.



Kidd O'Shea/WISN12 news and Charles Bensen/TMJ4 were both filming the event, and the Wisconsin Gazette was also on hand. A HUGE night.



Our partner for the night was BLATZ LIQUOR, along with Lucy Saunders of beercook.com. Beer is NOT a strange bedfellow for cupcakes, in fact I heard many comments that these were some of the best and most unique cupcakes we have seen! Joe Woelfle of Blatz Liquor was on-hand to make his PARNTER'S PICK and he could not help but fall for Melissa's Cremé Brulée Cupcake. Her creation was a vanilla cake soaked in a beer caramel sauce that used Southern Tier's Creme Brulée Stout. It was topped with a rich vanilla cream cheese frosting and a vanilla hard candy.



It was no suprise that Joe loved Melissa's cupcake, as our Celebrity Judge, Michelle Garcia of Bleeding Heart Bakery, had the same appreciation for it. She was so impressed with the complexity of flavors and it's excellent presentation. Thanks so much to Michelle for bringing her family up to Milwaukee and sharing your creativity with all of us here in Milwaukee. So, double whammy, Melissa won the CELEBRITY JUDGES CHOICE as well! Melissa was a first time IronCupcaker, and I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of her.



Another first time IronCupcaker, Mary Beth, came in from out of no where and scooped up the popular pick for BEST TASTE. Using one of my personal favorites, Blue Moon, she presented a Chocolate Cupcake with Orange-Blue Moon Ganache. Welcome to Mary Beth as well. I love that IronCupcake keeps bringing in new bakers and judges every month. Congratulations.



Before I blog about our Presentation prize, I feel the need to highlight another first time team. The pair of David and Jeremy. These guys jumped in late in the game, I believe that they felt that it would be just a fun joke to participate. But I know for a fact that they are now hooked and have already signed up for the upcoming Bacon challenge. What they created was so hysterically aawesome and inherent of the core purpose of IronCupcake, creativity and having fun. These two have NEVER made a cupcake before. What they came up with was the White Trash Cupcake - a potato and Pabst Blue Ribbon cupcake with a ketchup tabasco frosting, topped with a sugared potato chip. The dressed the part, they ACTED the part (see TMJ4's report). They cracked everyone up. I see future presentation winners in the making.



Speaking of PRESENTATION, lets get to the point. Our incredibly talented friend, Erin, has once again knocked everyone's socks off with her Duff Beer/Seymour Butz Cupcake. A lemon cupcake soaked in Mike's Hard Lemonade. It was then topped with raspberry Lambic Belgium Framboise Beer buttercream. It was garnished with a donut dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. An ode to The Simpsons, complete with Duff Beer pyramid and a loafing Homer sprawled out on the couch in his underwear. Incredible detail Erin. Seriously.

As always, we were blessed with the talents of Jim Conway and his incredible photography. A slide show of the event can be viewed below. Thank You Jim! xoxox

Milwaukee, We Hear You!

The IronCupcake team will be reviewing our layout, parking, online ticketing and other ideas shared to make our ever-growing event the best that it can be. Thanks to the incredible volunteers; Bob, Ashley, Jenny, Aimee and Jim. Also, it was an honor to have Channel 12, Channel 4 and the Wisconsin Gazette on hand last night to share the cupcake love. Official blog post will go live this evening.

ICM:BACON Challenge

I am not even going to be shy about this one. February, the month of love, what better than to climb to the rooftops and proclaim love for the perfect partner to the cupcake...BACON!!!!

What, are you chicken? Don't have a cow man...its time to pig out on bacon cupcakes! Our partner is none other than the masters of the salted treat...NUESKE'S BACON!!!

$7 ticket at the door (cash only) gets you cupcakes galore, bacon tasting from Nueske's, discounted drink specials and entry into our monthly raffle. PLUS!!! In keeping with our commitment to giving back to our awesome city, one dollar from every ticket will go to this month's charity, STARFISH FOUNDATION.

The Mission of Starfish Foundation is to assist emotional trauma survivors in their emotional healing, by providing funds for those unable to pay for participation in emotional healing programs, thereby helping them to liberate their grief, rage and shame, and allow joy to return to their lives.

The February challenge will take place on MONDAY, February 15 at 6 p.m.

Debut of the CANCER SUCKS/CUPCAKES ROCK! button to support Ovarian Cancer Research with Electrolux & Kelly Ripa.

IronCupcake:Milwaukee T-Shirts ($20) and Buttons ($2) available. Cash Only. Portion of profits benefit Gilda's Club of S.E. Wisconsin.


BAKER'S SPOTS ARE NOW FULL.

NEW LOCATION!!!!
IronCupcake:Milwaukee
BACON Challenge
with Nueske's Bacon
MONDAY, February 15 at 6 p.m.
RUMBLE at the Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal St
Milwaukee, WI 53201USA

IronCupcake is open to all ages, but please keep in mind that this is a crowded bar setting and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

TONIGHT! Eat Cupcakes, Do Good

This Monday is IronCupcake:Milwaukee-BEER CHALLENGE with BLATZ LIQUOR!

Not only will IronCupcake:Milwaukee be donating to the WISCONSIN BREWERS GUILD we will ALSO be donating $1 from each full-paid admission to the Red Cross Haitian Relief efforts. All this and the awesome BEER cupcakes, drink specials and TONS of raffle prizes from local beer distributors collected by our friend Lucy at beercook.com.

Plus...Food Network Cake Challenge Baker, MICHELLE GARCIA of BLEEDING HEART BAKERY will be on-hand as our Celebrity Judge!

Whew, this is gonna be a big one! Taste up to 18 cupcakes, raffle entry, drink specials.
ALL SALES FINAL.

IronCupcake:Milwaukee
BEER Challenge
with Blatz Liquor
MONDAY, January 18 at 6 p.m.
MOCT Bar
240 E Pittsburgh Ave
Milwaukee's Fifth Ward

IronCupcake is open to all ages, but please keep in mind that this is a crowded bar setting and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cupcakes for Haiti

Bleeding Heart Bakery is selling banana/pineapple/coconut cupcakes available for $3 each this weekend. The special cupcakes will be available at both the Roscoe Village and Oak Park locations. All proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross. If you pick some up today, you might get a chance to see a crew from TLC filming a pilot about the Bleeding Heart gang!

You can meet Michelle at this Monday's IronCupcake:Milwaukee BEER challenge, she will be our celebrity guest judge!

Aussie Love!

Valentine's Box 2010, originally uploaded by Sugadeaux Cupcakes.

It's coming, whether you like it or not. Valentine's Day.
If you are down under, perk up...get some of these!

Buy some for your sweetie. Buy some for yourself.
Either way, don't let these sweet treats get away!

The Sugadeaux famous red velvet cupcakes with Valentine's themed gummy lips and heart lollipops - sweets for your sweetheart!

email info@sugadeaux.com.au to place your order.

Mission Minis Opens it Doors

Congrats to Brandon Arnovick, a competitor from IronCupcake:San Francisco. He has opened a storefront in the Mission District of San Francisco. Located at 3168 22nd Street, the 550 square-foot storefront known as Mission Minis. He offers awesome and unique flavors such as “cinnamon horchata” and “banana maple glaze,” priced at only $1 per cupcake. The MissionLocal.org website has an awesome interview with Brandon that you should check out.

“Cupcakes are like chocolate and sex—everybody loves them” - MissonLocal.org article

You Got Your Beer in my Cupcake!

Joe Woelfle from Blatz Liquor and Lucy Saunders of beercook.com appeared on the Morning Blend this morning, on Today's TMJ4. They talked about mixing cupcakes and beer and IronCupcake:Milwaukee's upcoming beer challenge. Blatz Liquor is our local partner this month, and I suspect we have a lot of thirsty, tasty treats coming up on Monday!

On a silly aside, below is a picture of the wonky way that I record video of most IronCupcake television appearances. It is highly technical and you should be impressed. :-)

Sweet Posies

Forminha laranja com bolinha branca, originally uploaded by mirelagoi.

Check out these precious handmade flower cupcake cups. Sweet Cases by mirelagoi on flickr.