Cake Byte: Several New CakeSpy Card Designs

Oh, hello, friends.

I thought that just in case you were feeling rich this week, I would share my updated sheet of cards. I have several new styles by popular request, including several of my popular quote illustrations, as well as Teacher, Battle of the Buns (Hot Dogs Vs. Hamburgers!), and "Donut Worry, Be Happy".

You can order them a la carte in the online shop; for a bigger, more beautiful view of the entire sheet, click here.

Order CakeSpy Cards and more at cakespyshop.com. They're available at the CakeSpy retail shop too, 415 E. Pine St, Seattle WA 98122!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Mania at Seattle Weekly!

Have you ever been curious about the life of a spy?

Shame on you.

But, you know, if you want to stalk the sweetest sleuth around, I have some great new resources for you. Last week I was interviewed by the lovely and amazing Julien Perry, a Seattle food scene queen, who featured me not once, not twice, but thrice (!) in Seattle Weekly this week.

The first feature is an interview in which you can learn some of my stories and secrets, and hear me say amusing things such as " cupcakes will be out of style when happiness is out of style." You can read that interview here.

The second is a simple "death round" q+a in which I admit guilty pleasures, flavor preferences, trash-talk about fussy French macarons, and confess my secret foodie fantasy:

What is your biggest foodie fantasy?

Sometimes I have this dream where I am the forbidden love child of Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker. Too bad Duncan is dead and Betty doesn't really exist.

 You can see the whole dish here.

And for a grand finale, part three featured a recipe from yours truly, which comes from my upcoming book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life (pre-order now!), for a little somethin' called Birthday Cake French Toast.

Thanks again, Seattle Weekly, for featuring CakeSpy!

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Featured on CHOW!

Today is a very sweet day, my friends: it marks the first time I've ever been referred to as a "Confectionery Art Ninja". I sincerely hope this is the first of many times I will be referred to in this way.

It was in a beautifully written article on CHOW.com by supercool writer James Norton (check out his work here), who kindly began the article thusly:

That Jessie Oleson is a woman of many talents—baker, writer, illustrator, businesswoman—is impressive. That this Seattle resident manages to make a full-time living by harnessing all those talents under an umbrella enterprise called CakeSpy is damned improbable.

...not only was he a pleasure to talk with during the interview, but he also gave me some great Minneapolis bakery tips, told me about a mural by another anthropomorphic foodie painter, and gave me the lowdown on Norske's Nook. Score!

There's a sweet q+a, and I even gave them a recipe from my upcoming book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life, for cookie dough-filled cinnamon rolls (oh yeah!).

Of course, if you want to read more about sweet-ninja ME, you can read the full interview here.

Cake Byte: Win a Copy of CakeSpy's Book on Not Martha!

A couple of things, sweeties.

1. On the totally awesome-sweet-magical website Not Martha, You can win a copy of my totally awesome book, coming out this fall, entitled CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life! Sorry, you still have to wait til the fall to receive it, but, you know, it sure will be a sweet thing to look forward to.

2. Speaking of that book, did you know I get to go on a book tour? For sure I will be visiting bakeries -- you got that right, I am visiting BAKERIES, not bookstores for the most part -- in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, and maybe Chicago. Maybe Philadelphia, DC, and/or Boston if I can talk my publisher into it. The tour is called "Tour de Sweet" and I will announce dates in the next month or so.

3. For fun, I thought you might like to see an early picture of what ended up being the cover design. When you receive your book (whether you buy or win it) you can compare and see how the design was altered for the ultimately totally sweet back cover.

What else do I need to tell you? GO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE.

Cake Byte: CakeSpy Quoted in the New York Times!

It's true: my thoughts on cake mix (and butter) officially matter. The New York Times says so!

That's right: an article appearing in the New York Times, on the subject of Duncan Hines' new advertising campaign geared toward foodies, brought up some big questions about whether or not cake mix can be taken seriously; naturally they hit me up for a comment. Here's the bit that mentions me--and a big thanks to the great writer, Andrew Adam Newman, who gave my book a plug! Yeah!

Jessie Oleson, publisher of CakeSpy.com and author of the book CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life; which will be published in October, said the book does call for cake mixes in some more complex recipes.

While she herself has trouble telling the difference between cakes made from scratch or a mix, Ms. Oleson said the fact that the new Duncan Hines recipes call for the brand’s own line of canned frosting rather than homemade may deter the serious bakers it seeks.

“I would be much more likely to tell if a canned frosting was used than a cake mix,” Ms. Oleson said. “The quote about food in general is that the secret ingredient is butter and lots of it, and with frostings that holds true.”

For the article, visit the NY Times website!

Cake Byte: Sneak Peek of the Rampage Toys Art Show at CakeSpy Shop

So, if you're in Seattle, you're probably already planning on coming to CakeSpy Shop this thursday, May 12, for the Capitol Hill Art Walk featuring artwork by another awesome Seattle cupcake artist (no, I'm not the only one): Jon of Rampage Toys!

And we've been baking up some magic at the store--not only has Jon done a full installation of paintings, vinyl toys, and prints, but we've also done a few collaborative pieces, AND he did a wall painting as part of the installation!

Here's a peek at how it happened.

Hour 1: beginning with a pencil sketch, and starting to paint in the cupcakes.

Hour 2: Cupcakes become more realized.

Hour 3: Cupcakes get frosted!

Hour 4: Finishing touches!

...meanwhile, downstairs, I was busy at work on our large (24x30 inch) collaborative piece (see picture, top). It's kind of a cupcake meets Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters scene! Yes!

You can see this magic and more for yourself--there will be an artist reception at CakeSpy Shop, 415 E Pine, Seattle WA on Thursday, May 12 from 5-8 pm; the show will be up all May long. For more of Jon's work, click here.

Cake Byte: New CakeSpy Baby-themed Stamp Designs for Taylored Expressions

Buy these!It's time for some seriously coo-inducing cuteness: CakeSpy has done a new batch of designs for Taylored Expressions rubber stamps!

This time, the theme is babycakes, and this sweet set of stamps features all sorts of new baby themes--in cupcake form, natch!

These rubber stamps are perfect for choosing your own greeting card adventure or a variety of other crafts!

They can be purchased on the Taylored Expressions website!

Cake Byte: Dozen Bake Shop and Burgatory Bar Collaborate on Cupcake Shakes

In Pittsburgh, a small miracle has taken place.

A deep, dark, secret love between a cupcake shop (Dozen Bake Shop) and a burger bar (Burgatory Bar) has resulted in the sweetest baby you'll ever meet: the Cupcake Shake!

Now, the cake shake isn't necessarily a new thing. The CupShake in Utah inspired CakeSpy's own CupShake recipe on Serious Eats a while back. But this is not to take away from the awesomeness of another CupShake entering the world of sweet treats. In fact, this is news to be celebrated.

And with flavor combinations like the Chocolate Stout Cupcake Shake, it is strong motivation to get your sweet self to Pittsburgh, STAT!

Cupcake Milkshakes, available at Burgatory Bar, Pittsburgh.

Cake Byte: Full Sweetness ahead at Trophy Cupcakes in May

Talk about a totally sweet lineup! Seattle's Trophy Cupcakes has plenty of delicious to offer this month:

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcake (one day only, on Cinco de Mayo!): Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, our Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcake is back for its third year! The perfect blend of cinnamon and cayenne pepper warms up this bittersweet Chocolate on Chocolate Cupcake. Available May 5th. 

Margarita Cupcakes: By popular demand, we will be featuring Margarita Cupcakes every day through the month of May! Our Fresh Lime Cupcake is full of tangy lime zest, fresh lime juice and delicious lime oil topped with Tequila and Lime Buttercream…of course it is finished with candied lime zest and sea salt! Oh my, it is good (if we do say so ourselves!). Available everyday in May.

Lemon Raspberry (one day only, on Mother's Day!): Especially for Mother's day we are featuring Lemon Raspberry…our Fresh Lemon Cupcake is topped with our luscious Raspberry Buttercream and a fresh raspberry. So yummy and so pretty and definitely mom approved! Please order by Friday at 3pm for Sunday pick up.

Available at all three Trophy Cupcakes locations; for availability, directions and hours, visit their website.

Cake Byte: Brandi Carlile to Play at Cupcake Royale in Capitol Hill Tomorrow

When cupcakes and music meet, let's just say the outcome is totally sweet!

Here's a bit of breaking cake news in Seattle: Brandi Carlile is going to play live, tomorrow, at Cupcake Royale's Capitol Hill location! Here's the 411 from Cupcake Royale owner Jody Hall:

Just a note to let you know that Brandi Carlile is doing an in-store performance here at Capitol Hill Cupcake Royale on Tuesday, May 3 (tomorrow!) at 4pm.

We’ll be selling her new CD - “Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony” for $12.  She’ll play a few songs, sign some CDs and be off like the ether!

of course, that's not the only sweet news from the Royale front: there are also new flavors on the horizon. As Jody goes on:

(Also – our new Tequila Limone is available thru Cinco de Mayo.  After that, we feature a pistachio lemon cupcake – just in time for Mother’s day).

For location, visit Cupcake Royale's website; follow them on Twitter for up-to-the-moment happenings.