Cake Byte: Sweet News from Cakespy

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554049149798699784.post-38114454193761038762008-03-06T16:42:00.001-08:002008-03-07T10:52:50.622-08:00Cake Byte: Sweet News from Cakespy<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2314208346_28e721be00.jpg" alt="Papparazzi and Cupcake" height="364" width="500" /></span> <br /></div><div>They say that when it rains it pours, and certainly there's a lot of sweetness in our world these days at Cakespy. Here's an update on some sweet things that we just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to share:</div><div> <br /></div><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IzJ3M_5t3JI/R9CfPcQsL_I/AAAAAAAABWA/jZLnWSjNpUw/s400/TOH_montage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174811059481751538" border="0" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">First, the BIG HUGE NEWS</span>: our Head Spy Jessie has a grand new illustration gig! Starting in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">April 2008</span> issue, you'll be seeing Cakespy illustrations in...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://tasteofhome.com/" target="_blank">Taste of Home</a></span>! Taste of Home is a pretty awesome publication--they<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> just</span> joined the ranks of nationally audited magazines, entering at #9 – one step AHEAD of OPRAH and one step behind SPORTS ILLUSTRATED--this ranking officially makes them the #1 Cooking Magazine in the World, with over <span style="font-weight: bold;">3.2 million</span> (no, we did not stutter) subscribers, and 250K copies of it on the newsstand each issue. Holy sweetness! But don't buy it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">solely</span> for the Cakespy artwork--they also have some pretty awesome recipes, which come from a pool of over 90,000 reader submissions each year, and which are all tested in their in-house kitchen. And, did we mention they also have the coolest art director <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ever</span>, who just so happens to be a cupcake lover in her own right, and author of the awesome <a href="http://www.mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Milkwaukee Cupcake Queen</a> blog? <br /><div> <br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Press/Praise</span>: What sweet times! Cakespy was recently featured on some great sites: <a href="http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-spy-something-sweet.html" target="_blank">Bakerella, a wonderful blog by an incredibly talented and artistic baker, featured Cakespy artwork</a>; the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakespy/2296872709/" target="_blank">Seattle Times</a> mentioned the "groovy" Cakespy artwork shown in Sugar Bakery+Cafe; Chicago-based <a href="http://www.hungrymag.com/2008/02/27/cakespy-on-chicago/" target="_blank">Hungrymag.com</a> featured our interview with <a href="http://www.cakespy.com/2008/02/batter-chatter-interview-with-claudia.html" target="_blank">Claudia Saraniecki of Babushka Bakery</a>; <a href="http://seattlest.com/2008/03/05/cakespy_tells_t.php" target="_blank">Seattlest</a>, a cool media and pop culture blog, featured our writeup on the <a href="http://www.cakespy.com/2008/03/pretty-in-pink-sweet-history-of-pink.html" target="_blank">Pink Frosted Cookie</a>; <a href="http://www.culinate.com/articles/sift/sweet_sandwiches" target="_blank">Culinate</a> called out our Sweet Sandwiches Project; and don't forget to check out the interview with Head Spy Jessie on <a href="http://cherry-runway.blogspot.com/2008/03/calorie-free-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">Cherry Runway</a>. Like Whoa!</li></ul> ** Addendum: But wait, there's more! Bakerella (mentioned above) also went above andbeyond and created the MOST amazing video featuring our own L'il Cuppie Character, rendered in fondant and having an adventure! It's amazing; watch it below, or <a href="http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-is-this-cupcake-decorated-like.html" target="_blank">here</a>: <br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3I9X9vjVc8&rel=1&border=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3I9X9vjVc8&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IzJ3M_5t3JI/R9CMjMQsL9I/AAAAAAAABVw/g1kWRgORVj0/s1600-h/shapeimage_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IzJ3M_5t3JI/R9CMjMQsL9I/AAAAAAAABVw/g1kWRgORVj0/s200/shapeimage_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174790508063240146" border="0" /></a><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">New Bakeries! </span>We've recently been tipped off to the opening of a few new bakeries; let us know if you've tried 'em! First, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cake Gumshoe Matt</span> informs us that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://georgetowncupcake.com/" target="_blank">Georgetown Cupcakes</a></span> in Washington, DC has just opened its doors; <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sprinkles Cupcakes</span> continues to spread sweetness with two new locations: a new store in Scottsdale, AZ is scheduled to open later this month, and a new Palo Alto location is slated to open up later this spring or early in the summer (for more information or precise locations, visit <a href="http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/locations.html" target="_blank">sprinklescupcakes.com</a>). Out of Chicago, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.wholebakers.com/" target="_blank">Whole Bakers</a></span> is taking their gluten-free goodies nationwide with a newly-launched website full of shippable treats; the lemon shorties caught <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">our</span> eye. In Los Angeles, while <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.cakemonkey.com/" target="_blank">Cake Monkey</a></span> still hasn't found quite the right retail space yet, they are currently available for custom orders of darling little cakes (and homemade pop-tarts!!) from their commercial kitchen space. Or perhaps you're in Dubai, you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">jetsetter,</span> you? Well, they're not brand-new, but they were new to us: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cake Gumshoe Kristin</span> spied <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.scrumptiousdubai.com/Site/Home.html" target="_blank">Scrumptious</a></span>, a cupcake bakery whose wares are available by special order and at the Dubai Marina Market every Friday. So you don't have to go cupcake-free in Dubai! Whew! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cakespy Note: </span>While some are opening, some are closing: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">New York Cupcakes</span> in the Westlake Center in Seattle appears to have closed its doors, at least at this location. Judging by <a href="http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/cakespy/archives/126594.asp" target="_blank">our last experience there</a>, we say good riddance.</span></li></ul></div><div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2294988287_689be440a9_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2294988287_689be440a9_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Perhaps you're looking to buy Cakespy artwork?</span> Happily, there are now several spots to buy: if you're in Seattle, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.venueballard.com/" target="_blank">Venue</a></span> now carries Cakespy original artwork and buttons, and original paintings are for sale at <a href="http://www.sugarbakerycafe.com/" target="_blank">Sugar Bakery+Cafe.</a> In the Midwest? Happily, a new shipment will be heading out soon to the <a href="http://www.renegadehandmade.com/" target="_blank">Renegade Handmade Store</a> in Chicago! If you're in NYC, don't explode with pleasure, but rumor is that we'll be showing at the <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/brooklyn/index.html" target="_blank">Renegade Craft Fair</a> this coming June. Of course, artwork and custom work is always available through <a href="http://www.jessieoleson.etsy.com/" target="_blank">jessieoleson.etsy.com</a>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cakespy Note:</span> Additionally, if you were one of the many disappointed parties who wanted to buy the original Valley of the Cupcakes painting, cry no more: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9967083" target="_blank">a limited edition of prints is available</a>!</span></li></ul><ul><li>Finally, if you've ever visited one of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.sweetmelissapatisserie.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Melissa Pâtisseries</a></span> in Brooklyn, you'll know why we're so excited about their brand-new cookbook! If you haven't had the chance to visit one of their three adorable Brooklyn locations, make sure to put it on your agenda for your next trip to the city; in the meantime, the nice people at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Penguin Group</span> were nice enough to share a recipe to whet our appetites for what promises to be a delicious book (available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Melissa-Baking-Book-Everyones/dp/0670018740/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204748836&sr=8-1" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>):</li></ul><div> <br /></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate Orange Macaroons</span> <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Makes 2 dozen cookies</span> <br /><ul><li>6 ounces best-quality solid semisweet (58%) chocolate <br /></li><li>One 14-oz. bag sweetened coconut</li><li>Zest of 1 orange</li><li>1 cup sugar</li><li>3 large egg whites</li></ul> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Before you start: Position a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.</span> <br /> <br />1. Using a serrated bread knife, finely chop the chocolate. Set aside. <br /> <br />2. In a large bowl, combine the coconut and zest, and rub together with your hands. (This will break up the coconut and release the orange oils.) <br /> <br />3. Stir in the sugar and chocolate to the coconut and mix to combine. Add the egg whites. Use your hands to mix until everything is coated and the egg whites are distributed evenly. <br /> <br />4. Using a 1-oz cookie scoop, firmly pack the dough into the scoop and unmold about 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool. <br /> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The foregoing is excerpted from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book by Melissa Murphy. All rights reserved. Copyright © Melissa Murphy, 2008.</span> <br /></div> <br /><div><script type="text/javascript">addthis_url='<data:post.url/>'; addthis_title='<data:post.title/>'; addthis_pub='cakespy';</script><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/addthis_widget.php?v=12" type="text/javascript"></script></div><font class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> <br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8554049149798699784-3811445419376103876?l=www.cakespy.com'/></div>Cakespyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540351035366591645noreply@blogger.com60