A Cookie Within A Cookie?!

For those of you who don't know, I like to collect race medals, but firmly believe that the only way to get a medal is to earn it by completing a marathon, half-marathon and other running events.

"Why are you talking about running on a cupcake blog?" you ask.  Simple:  during one of my running adventures in San Francisco, I tasted one of the most delectable cookies ever made.  EVER.

First, let me just say that anything named Cookies & Cream is OK in my book, whether it's ice cream, cupcakes, ice cream...all of it.  So when I learned that the popular SF bakery Anthony's Cookies featured a cookie made with Oreos, I was all over it.

A "cookie within a cookie", the Cookies & Cream is just like a chocolate chip cookie - a little crunchy on the outside and chewy in the inside - but instead of chocolate chips, it is made out of crushed Oreos.  Uh-maz-ing.

I always make a trip to Anthony's Cookies when I'm in SF, but when I have an urge for a delicious cookie, I make my own version, which I have to admit is my current favorite treat and a popular choice among my favorite people.

If you've tried it (either my version or Anthony's Cookies), I'd love to hear about it!

Arrrrrh!

What do you get when you mix a pirate party with sweet treats?

Camping Cupcakes

For many people, summer isn't complete without a camping adventure.  Although a weekend camping getaway isn't always easy to coordinate, my friends and I channeled our inner child and went glamping (glamorous camping) in my BFF's backyard - complete with a movie screen, bbq grill and non-porta-potty bathrooms.  It was a blast!!

But I digress.  Since we went pretend camping, it was only appropriate that we had pretend s'mores...cupcake style!

With a graham cracker crust, a layer of bittersweet chocolate and a toasted marshmallow-y meringue frosting, we had all the goodness of a s'more in a bite-sized cake!

Another One For The Mouseketeers...

If you know anything about me, then you know that I love me some Disneyland.  So, when a client asked me to create Minnie Mouse cake pops for her daughter's birthday,  I was ready to take on the challenge.

Once these lovelies got dipped in chocolate, I did a happy dance because they looked soooo cute!  And then, when I finished each cake pop with a red candy bow, I got giddy.  Giggly, smiley giddy.  I was so excited!

Hope you like it!

Push a Push Pop!

The dessert gods are always thinking of new ways to deliver loads of sugar into our bellies.  But this way isn't really new, especially if you grew up eating Push-Up ice cream treats (the Flintstones ones...you know what I'm talking about).

When asked to make a push-up cake (not to be confused with a cake pop), I have to admit I had never heard of it.  But after a quick online search - even though I was sad that I didn't think of this genius idea first - I was so excited to start making these!  The combos are endless and the concept is fantastic.

For Push-up Cake: Round One, I made a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and topped it with a red heart sprinkle.  Cute, right?  And the best part is it's completely portable - you don't have to worry about the treat tipping over and frosting getting messed up because it's all contained in a cute tube.  Loves it!

Stay tuned for some fun push-up cakes...and maybe even some push-up ice cream cakes.  Yeah, you read that right...push-up ice cream cakes.  Stay tuned...

Beginner's Luck...

Google macaron recipes and one thing you'll notice is that everyone says the delicate treat is temperamental.  So, when I attempted to make espresso Nutella macarons (two of my fave flavors), I had relatively low expectations. 

Low expectations + beginner's luck = HAPPY DANCE!

After the untimely death of my food processor during the first phase of mixing, I had to use my muscles to get the macaronnage (fancy word for macaron batter) ready.  Definitely not an easy task for someone who relies heavily on a stand mixer, but all that hard work was worth it after the lovely treats came out of the oven and were filled with Nutella ganache. 

So, here it is, in all its gloriousness...my espresso Nutella macaron!

For the Disney Lovers Who Heart Cupcakes...

On my last trip to Disneyland, I found THE most adorable thing ever:  cupcake Vinylmations!!!  AAAAHHHH!

For those of you who have never seen Vinylmations, they are plastic Mickey Mouse-shaped figures that are themed out - from Disney movies to Park rides and everything in between.  The Bakery collection features six characters with matching frosting tops that can be removed to reveal Mickey, Minnie, Marie, Cheshire Cat or Tinkerbell.  

If you would like to purchase one (either for yourself or for me), then you can pick one up at Disneyland or here.

Cupcakes + Shopping = FUN!

Shopping, cupcakes and champagne?  Sign me up!

Recently, Dinah Alcon Skincare Studio hosted a shopping event for its clients at Michael Kors-South Coast Plaza.  Shoppers were treated to a relaxing afternoon of private shopping with personal stylists, and a nice dose of sparkle from the champagne and Java cupcakes.  Like Michael Kors' signature pieces, each Java cupcake featured gold bling in the form of edible gold glitter.

What a fabulous way to spend the day :)

Cupcakes by Joyce Isn't Just Cupcakes!

Although I am fondly known as the Cupcake Girl, I actually do make other things, like cakes, brownies and cookies (which are all pretty yum).  And by special request, I recently made cake pops, the latest and greatest confection from the dessert gods.

What is a cake pop?  Simply put, it is a cake mixed with frosting, rolled into balls, stuck on a stick and dipped in chocolate.  A bite-sized, one-stop chocolate shop on a stick, if you will.

Sounds heavenly, right?  Next on my to-do list:  French macarons!

Playoffs Season: My Favorite Time of the Year

I say this often, but this time, I mean it:  THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR!  There are a few reasons why, but one of the main reasons is because of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Even though the first round series between my beloved Kings and the Sharks stresses me out, it's post-season hockey...the best and most exciting kind of hockey, yo!

That said, I am continuing the tradition of creating a hockey-themed dessert that started last year with the Stanley Cupcake.  This year, in honor of the hockey battle between northern and southern California, I introduce the LA Kings Hockey Puckcake (and Sharks cupcakes).

Let's Go Kings!  Clap! Clap! Clap-clap-clap!

Birthday Cupcakes for my Brother

If you know anything about me, you know that I have been heavily influenced by my brother.  For example:

- Hockey is the only sport that exists in my world
- I believe Megatron was the best toy of the 80s - the thing transformed into a gun!  Amazing!
- I snowboard (even though it took me forever to learn how to do it correctly)
- I can throw a spiral
- I smile when I see or hear '68 Camaros
- I am super competitive
- I geek out every now and then

Wow, I sound like a boy.

my cupcake and iphone are twinsies.

Anyway, for his birthday, I made him cupcakes with all his favorite geeky things...which also happen to be geeky things I like, too.  Like Storm Troopers.  They're my fave.

Happy birthday, Kuya!

A Little Something For My Mom...

My mom's cool.  And because she's so cool (and it's her birthday month), I have decided to name her favorite cupcake after her.

For those of you who don't know my mom, here's a quick snapshot:

- She loves chocolate.  I inherited my sweet tooth from her.
- She encourages me to eat caramel apples because they are still fruits -- they just happen to be dipped in caramel gloriousness.  Do you see how we're related, yet?
- She likes crunchy things...rice crispies, toffee, etc.

So...chocolate + caramel + toffee = the Caramelly Nelly, a chocolate cupcake filled with caramel sauce, and topped with whipped cream and toffee bits.  A sweet treat for a sweet lady.  Happy birthday, Mom!

Girl Scout Cookies: Meet Your Match!

February is a magical month:  not only do we have all the chocolatey goodness that Valentine's Day brings, but we also get to celebrate the beginning of Girl Scout cookie season!  Woohoo!

Last year, we had theMinty, my cupcake take on Thin Mints.  This year, after inhaling a box of Samoas, I decided this caramel-coconut cookie/piece of heaven needs to be transformed into a cupcake. 

So after some testing (and lots of eating), I introduce theTiger, a vanilla cupcake dipped in chocolate ganache, topped with toasted coconut and caramel, and drizzled with ganache stripes.  Rawr!

Love is in the air!

Valentine's Day (aka "Buy Joyce Chocolate Day") is right around the corner and red velvets are definitely THE cupcake of the month!

From a Vera Wang trunk show at the Erin Cole Salon for brides-to-be to an anniversary celebration for a couple celebrating 20 years together, love is definitely in the air and my red velvet cupcakes were on hand to add a sweet touch to each love-ly event.

Congratulations to all the brides-to-be...and an extra special congratulations to Mike and Dana!

We all scream for ice cream!

If you've been following me on Twitter (@joyce_m_), you may have noticed that I've been a bit of an ice cream fiend for the past few days. 

 So in honor of my favorite frozen treat, I made the Drumstick cupcake - a vanilla cake with fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with peanuts.

It's kinda ridiculous!