Under Construction

Just like the city of Milwaukee...the sun comes out and damn if those freakin' orange cones don't land everywhere. I am working on updating the blog, but in the mean time if things feel a little dusty, bear with me. Be careful, watch for falling debris and stay tuned for a freshened blog soon.

just because

Johnny Cupcakes Suitcase Tour in Chicago!

Tomorrow, Friday, April 30th 8:00 pm, none other than THE Johnny Cupcakes will be pulling his Suitcase Tour into the sweet home of Bleeding Heart Bakery in Roscoe Village. Our friends Michelle and Vinny will be hosting the fun where you can meet them and Johnny, too. Buy exclusive suitcase tour gear and of course...the treats! I may even pop down for a bit. Don't miss out, this is sure to be a great time!

Bleeding Heart Bakery, Roscoe Village location
1955 West Belmont at Damen, Chicago, IL

Too Many Texts for One Phone...

We are extremely sorry for the TEXT/Message bomb from the Too Much Metal/Smac Design auto response system. This is a simple computer glitch that was a mistake.

PLEASE KNOW THAT IRON CUPCAKE MILWAUKEE IS, IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE

We are fixing this problem immediately so you will not receive anymore auto-response messages from the voting number, 414-367-9503.

Please understand we are not soliciting, advertising, or sharing your personal information with anyone. Again please accept our sincerest apology.

—Too Much Metal/Smac Design

Time to Move Back to the Beach?

My hometown, the quiet seaside town of San Clemente, CA, has just gotten it's first cupcake shop! The Orange County Register reports that Lei Shishak recently opened Sugar Blossom Bake Shop at 204 Avenida Del Mar. Del Mar is where all things hip live in San Clemente, so it is no surprise that it is now the home to a cupcake shop. If only it had been there when I was peddling nails and paint at the old Ace Hardware when I was 15 years old!

Sugar Blossom Bake Shop
204 Avenida Del Mar, Ste F
San Clemente, CA 92672
t. 949.429.5555 | f. 949.429.5533
www.sugarblossombakeshop.com

ICM:Cheese - It's the Cheeziest!

I am so overwhelmed with the success of IronCupcake and the love and support that the city of Milwaukee has given to this project, I find these blog posts to be more and more difficult to write. Before I say a single thing about last nights event, I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! To our volunteers, our prize donors – AJBombers, Goldi's Shoe Parlor, Streetza Pizza, Swig, Water Buffalo, and A Woman's Touch and most of all to this AWESOME CITY!

I got a tweet from our buddy Stu, over at stunamidraws.com, he was very serious about how much he wanted me to stop by his place on my way to Harley-Davidson yesterday. What he had waiting for me was the INCREDIBLE illustration above. Cupcakes, Wisconsin, Cheese. Oh Stu...you are amazing. Wow, I am still blown away that you just felt compelled to illustrate my cupcake fantasy. Again with the support. The overwhelming support.

Yesterday's CHEESE challenge was our BIGGEST and BEST ever. More people, more cupcakes, more fun than ever before. Our partners for this challenge were the friendly folks from Larry's Market and Marieke Cheese. The provided cheese samples to our bakers and tastings for our visitors. PLUS, for a lot of us, it was our first exposure to Larry's — which is foodie heaven. I do hope that the world of IronCupcake will support them and their awesome shop. YUM!

What has become tradition at IronCupcake is for our partners to make a PARTNER'S PICK and award it to one of our bakers. The cheesy cupcake the decided to award this to was Maggie's Honey Wild Cupcakes – a honey cupcake with honey clover gouda buttercream and a fig and cheese garnish. Maggie was a first time baker and she has certainly kicked off her IronCupcake experience with a bang!

We had a Milwaukee icon in our midst. Anne E. Schwartz of the Milwaukee Police Department was our CELEBRITY JUDGE. She showed up with gusto and took the tasting and judging of nearly 30 cupcakes as a very serious task, if not a bit overwhelming.

When all the tasting came to an end she awarded her choice to our friend, Ed and his science-projectesque presentation of Under a Bleu Moon — Bleu cheese and pineapple cupcake with gougére and pineapple foam.

As luck would have it, Anne was not just a willing judge, it turns out she is good friends with India McCanse, the director of our beneficiary, Literacy Services of Wisconsin. India shared a very inspiring story of how LSW has helped our community and really touched all of us with the reality that is the need for adult literacy education in the city of Milwaukee. I am so proud of our IronCupcake crowd as they donated 4 big boxes full of books to LSW that will help illiterate adults in Milwaukee get a chance to learn to read.

Some of my friends that help keep IronCupcake fresh and fun had suggested that I begin awarding a QUEEN'S CHOICE cupcake. So I created a DIY queen's septor and awarded one of our bakers with a collection of dining giftcards from CityTins as well as the septor, a cupcake collectible and a giftcard to AJBombers – one of the featured restaurants in the CityTins collection. I will make my pick based on, well, anything I want! Because I am the Queen! The first winner of the Queen's Choice was Nadia and her Black & White Delight cupcake. A chocolate cake and cheesecake cupcake displayed in a farm scene, complete with vintage Fisher Price Little People barn. On a side note, Nadia is our youngest IronCupcaker (so far) at the ripe old age of 13! She is a great addition to the mix.

Once again, we ran the text voting for our flagship prizes. Best Taste and Best Display. Each won a $40 gift card to Water Buffalo and ultimate bragging rights until the next challenge! Melissa's Purple Haze cupcake went home with the win for BEST TASTE, and with a recipe that involved a honey cake, infused with lavender and topped with a goat cheese frosting. With a creative combination like that, it is really no surprise that she took home the prize. Way to go Melissa!!

It is not at all hard to believe that our friend Susie took home the display prize. Celebrating her 40th birthday, she made a creation that all of her favorite things, including gardening, baking and cheesecake. Surrounded by her family and friends, her Susie's Chocolate Cheesecake Garden was a chocolate cheesecake topped with chocolate truffles as the center of her brown-eyed Susan garden perched in a her own garden window was one of our most elaborate presentations to date. I expect nothing less from Suz!

As if all those sweet and treats were not enough, we also debuted the new EGGS-FLOUR-SUGAR-IRON collection from TooMuchMetal.com. They were selling like hot (cup)cakes and the crowd really seemed to love the selection that Fred put together for us! Did you get yours yet? They are moving fast, so be sure to pop over to his site and check them out!

Once again, killer photography complements of James Conway Photography. MacDaddy is so good to me. xoxox. You can relive the excitement in our slideshow below:

ICM:CANDY Challenge with Karen Tack & Alan Richardson

FRIDAY NIGHT MEGA-EVENT!!!
Friday, May 28th!

If you have EVER looked at a cupcake, considered baking one, or even walked through a book store; you are familiar with Hello, Cupcake! by best-selling authors Karen Tack & Alan Richardson. To celebrate the release of their sequel What's New, Cupcake? They will be joining us live as our special celebrity judges.

BAKERS: This challenge is to decorate cupcakes using ALL EDIBLE decorations — inspired by the cupcake creations of Karen & Alan! Bakers will present A SUPER AWESOME, CANDY DECORATED CUPCAKE and also present tasting cupcakes inspired by their original creation. Bakers information this challenge can be found at: http://bit.ly/ICMCandyBakers

HEARTS for HAITI/UNICEF
A portion of every ticket will go to the Milwaukee Chapter of UNICEF to support their Haitian relief efforts for children. Our special guest will be Dr. Patrick D Bellegarde-Smith a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Professor of UWMilwaukee's Africology department. He will share his experiences and update us on the conditions and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

TWO WAYS TO GET TICKETS
Order in advanced and pay only $8 or pay $10 at the door (cash only, correct change preferred) gets you cupcakes galore, celebrity demonstrations, Haitian rebuilding update, and LOTS of giveaways! ONLINE tickets will go on sale on Monday, April 26th and will be available until midnight on Wednesday, May 26th.

PRE-IRONCUPCAKE AT MOTOR!
Check out MOTOR before and after the IronCupcake challenge for a delicious dinner by the Milwaukee River, shop in the Harley-Davidson store, enjoy the museum grounds.

CELEBRITY JUDGES!!
IronCupcake:Milwaukee is excited to announce that the CELEBRITY JUDGES for our MAY challenge will be best selling authors Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. Visit their website, http://www.hellocupcakebook.com, to see just a sampling of the amazing cupcakes they have developed.

TEXT VOTING!!
Keeping up with the technology and the times, we are pleased to welcome TooMuchMetal/Smac Design and their CONTEXT-VOTE online text voting! PLUS, the new EGGS, FLOUR, SUGAR, IRON! IronCupcake t-shirts will be available!!

PHOTO AWESOMENESS
Complements of Jim Conway of JamesConwayPhotography.com


MEDIA PARTNERS!
IronCupcake:Milwaukee is THRILLED to announce that 99.1 WMYX will be joining us for the next 6 months as our media partners. We will be joined by on-air personalities as well as promoted by their events and marketing departments! WOW! Remember when...??

The MAY challenge will take place on FRIDAY, May 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Bakers spots fill up fast, sign up today!

IronCupcake:Milwaukee
CANDY Challenge
with Karen Tack & Alan Richardson
FRIDAY, MAY 28 at 6:00 p.m.
THE GARAGE at the Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal St • Milwaukee, WI 53201

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

Wine and Cheese and Deli, Oh My!

If you are anything like me, you love a great little shop on an less beaten path. You are drawn in by quaint awnings and quiet streets.

But then, you walk inside and are overwhelmed by stuff. Lots of Stuff. Everywhere you look!
Like an old five and dime, or an even older variety store that lives on amongst today's retail monsters.

NOW...think of all those awesome feelings and replace nuts and bolts, soaps and lotions with WINE and CHEESE. SAUCE and PASTRY. This is what you find nestled in an unassuming area know as the old village of Brown Deer. Incredible selection, family owned, simply awesome!

The best part of this find? It is LARRY'S MARKET, our IronCupcake:CHEESE partner! If you have been here before, you know exactly what I am talking about. I have a confession, yes they are our partners this month...but I had never been to this little find. I owe IronCupcaker Jenna for this great find and I will gladly hop up here when I need some fine goodies to share with friends.

If you haven't been to Larry's, do not be swayed by the jaunt north on I43 to get there...it is TOTALLY worth the ride. Come on now, its only 10 minutes north of downtown. It's not that far! Get over there now. Taste some cheese, buy some wine, stop in the (yum!) deli. You won't be sorry!

Larry's Market
8737 North Deerwood Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 355-9650

IronCupcake: BREAST MILK!?! - (NOT!)

The UK SUN: Abi Blake, 30, is so proud of her cooking. She uses a breast pump to express and collect excess milk after eight-month-old daughter Tily is full, says: "I am the Nigella Lawson of breast milk cookery. She has even sold her breast milk cupcakes at various festivals. She says: "Many customers were intrigued and thought it was a novelty. To read the whole article...and you might want to, go to the SUN website.

Eggs & Cheese

It's that time again...and the CHEESE challenge is just around the corner. THIS SUNDAY to be exact. We could have a sell out! 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 and cheaper. Plus, we will have a separate line for online ticket holders. Tickets are available online until MIDNIGHT this Friday. Click button to the left to order now. Save $2 bucks by ordering online!
   
2. Bring CASH and EXACT CHANGE for tickets at the door. $10
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! Earthday is this week as well, so why not grab a bunch of friends and pile into a car and get your cupcake on!
6. Come Hungry!

Stranded!

The cupcake sandwich! Yes, it is true and it comes from the most unexpected of places. Jorge Garcia, of ABC's LOST, blogged about this discovery after attending a birthday party for a friends young daughter. Sounds like the kind of treat that one would dream of if one were stranded on "dessert island!"

Cupcake Wars Gets Picked Up

We talked about this a few months ago when we announced a casting call...but now it is official. Food Network is bringing back "Cupcake Wars" to air on June 18, 10 p.m. ET/PT. Can't wait to see who is on and who we know!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

From zazzle.com: This canvas features a print of the original painting "Brandon Likes Cupcakes" by artist Square Jane.

"This little sailor loves to dance, he loves to make friends but he especially loves his cupcakes. This one in particular is his favorite... angelfood cake with butter cream icing and a cherry on top!."

Happy Birthday Samuel Adams!!

Samuel Adam's Boston Lager is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. To celebrate, their celebrity chef partner, David Burke, has created a special cupcake baked with their beer in the batter. I am headed to Boston in 2 weeks and sure hope I can get a taste of my very own! Otherwise...I may have to whip up a batch, as the recipe has been posted all over the internet!

Boston Lager 25th Anniversary Cupcakes
By Samuel Adams Chef Partner David Burke
(recipe makes 2 dozen)

Boston Lager Cupcakes
½ cup butter
1 ¼ cups sugar
¼ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup all-purpose Flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup water
½ cup Samuel Adams Boston Lager
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place butter, sugar and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Add in eggs and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour in water and Boston Lager, then salt. Mix until mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Line muffin tin with muffin liners. Pour approximately 3 – 4 oz into each cup. Bake in oven at 325 degrees for approximately 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Boston Lager Buttercream Frosting
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon whipping cream
2 tbsp Samuel Adams Boston Lager
In a standing mixer with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended, then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. Add vanilla extract, Boston Lager and whipping cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed.