Bakeshop DC Cupcakes: The Review

Clarendon has finally gotten a cupcake shop:

It's called Bakeshop DC and it opened last month. Don't let its recent opening fool you, though: It's owned and operated by Justin Stegall, who's been whipping up cupcakes for custom orders and Murky Coffee Shops since 2006. 

Last weekend was more beautiful than my experience reading to underprivileged schoolchildren in third world countries, so my friend Erica and I hit the town, soaked up the sun, and tried a few cupcakes!

Cookies N' Cream Cupcakes (obvi)

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (again, obvi)

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes

Erica tried the Cookies N' Cream Cupcake: 

And because I'm a perpetual fat kid, I got the Cookies N' Cream Cupcake and the Perfect White Cupcake.

The pink sprinkles were a huge selling point, I'll admit

With our loot in hand, we headed outside to enjoy our treats.

Upon first glance, what stood out most to me was the size (that's what she said). These were smaller cupcakes than I've grown accustomed to, but given that they were slightly cheaper than I've grown accustomed, it seemed acceptable. Then we took our first bite and both had the same reaction. I believe it went something like, "hmmph". We were neither disappointed nor impressed.

The cake itself was incredibly moist. The chocolate cupcake had a rich flavor, but the white cake didn't seem like a usual white cake...it was more a vanilla, but without the vanilla. The icing was very airy. Not dense like your typical buttercream. It wasn't overly sweet either, which if you know me, can be a bad thing (although I realize there are those of you who don't prefer to go into a diabetic shock each time you indulge in a cupcake...what gives?). 

As we were evaluating our cupcakes, we met Lynsey and Steve, a sprite, young couple recently transplanted from Manhattan--the Mecca of cupcakes. They were trying out the cupcakes shops competing for Washingtonian's Cupcake Cup (more to come on that disaster!).

They chose the Chocolate Strawberry cupcake, which they somehow managed to split civilly. The day Kyle and I learn how to share an item of food civilly is the day I learn what it means to put someone else's needs before my own...LOL!

So, here are my closing thoughts on Bakeshop DC: great location, lovely store, good prices, and maybe if I didn't have access to so many amazing cupcakeries, I would be more impressed. Sadly, I was more interested in the banana pudding I saw one customer leave with.

Will I go back? Yes, I'm sure I will. After all, I feel partly responsible for bringing a cupcake shop to Arlington. And by partly, I mean entirely. You're welcome Clarendon. 

Cupcakes Wellington Make Me Get Ghetto

Oh, hello buttery pastry:

Images via Cupcake Project

You look, dare I say, good enough to eat.

Oh--what's this?:

Could it be...could it really, truly be...???

Awwwwwwwwwwww, HELLS nawwww....Aww, NAW she di'int!!! (throws right hand up in the air, sticks butt out, and does a turn)

Stef over at the Cupcake Project has created another gem of wonderment. As if a mango cupcake topped with Dulce de Leche wasn't enough for your funky ass, she went and wrapped it all up in puff pastry!!! Like I said: Awwwwwwww, HELLS nawwwwwww!!

She's got me wondering now, what else could I wrap in puff pastry? Chocolate Bars? Brussel Sprouts?? Puff Pastry?!?! Yo, that sh*t will blow your mind, son!

The Evolution of Man, Cupcakes

I don't want to get too deep here (my shallow reputation is important and far-reaching), but we, as a human race, are voyeurs. We are all only a pair of binoculars away from becoming full-fledged stalkers. Maybe it's related to the "stalk your kill" concept, I don't know. I don't pretend to be smart, okay? We have, however, evolved into creatures that like to look at things: Victoria's Secret catalogues, car wrecks, Facebook pictures of that guy you met that one time at that thing. And why? Well duh! It's cus it's fun y'all. Told you I didn't want to get too deep.

Let's make this more interesting (i.e., all about me). Our natural voyeuristic attitude is exactly why you visit CupcakesOMG! Well, that, and the opportunity to see the latest fashions I'm donning, like these babies:

Yes, those are my feet

Maybe you like cupcakes, maybe you love cupcakes, maybe you tell me to my face you hate cupcakes more than you hate Karl Rove...I DON'T KNOW! Regardless, you like to eat cupcakes. Don't lie to me!!!!!! It's a sad truth, but unfortunately, you're not me, thus you're not readily armed with a stash of cupcakes, so while you may may want to chow down on a delicious chocolate cupcake topped with strawberry buttercream, alas, you are left sad and lonely, exposing who you truly are.

Which brings me to the real subject of my post: How great is Flickr?! Does everyone have an account? Do you know what it is?? It's basically a free photohosting site, where you can post your pictures and browse through everyone else's! See what I did there...voyeurism...success!! I'm often asked where I find the cupcakes I send out to my loyal "Daily Cupcake" listserv. I also often tell this people to "Go to hell!! Go straight to hell with you!" as a true lady never reveals her secrets. But today, I feel generous and thus inclined to share with you some of my favorite Flickr accounts.

1.) Cupcakes Take The Cake

Members join this group (also a favorite blog of mine) and upload their pictures to share with other cupcake aficianados. Example: French Toast Cupcake

via Flickr user katipeck

2.) Death By Cupcakes

This woman is what Martha Stewart wishes she could be. Are you kidding me?! And it's not just cupcakes either, she also makes Oreo Truffles, macarons, and rainbow pancakes! Example: Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes drizzled in vanilla frosting, topped with a raspberry
preserve-covered ferrer rocher candy and sprinkled with white chocolate pieces

3.) Coco Cake Cupcakes

Lindsay lives in Canada--her cupcake/cake catering business is probably the only reason I'd consider moving there. She does amazing things with cake and icing. Bonus Tip--she also has an ice cream blog!! Example: Hello Kitty Cupcakes

Next time you find yourself craving a cupcake, visit some of these Flickr galleries. Will it make your hankering worse? Absolutely. But it will satiate your evolutionary need to stalk your kill. Why do you think we find those Hello Kitty cupcakes so appealing, hmmm...?

Free Cupcakes for Gay Marriage

Generally, I prefer to avoid anything related to political causes, human rights, or caring about people other than myself, period. It takes away from the time I could be spending staring at myself in the mirror. But tomorrow, DC's Superior Court will be officiating same-sex marriages and I'd be a terrible Lady Gaga fan if I didn't get on board with this cause!!!!

If this weren't exciting enough news, Hello Cupcake (one of my favorites) will be giving out FREE cupcakes to the first 200 couples tying the rainbow-colored knot! 

If this doesn't move you to support same-sex marriage, then you clearly lack tastebuds. I mean, look at how those two cupcakes love each other so...LOOK AT IT!! They just want to lick the frosting right off each other, and so do you. And that's natural.