i love cupcakes

As most of my family and friends know, I have a love for sweets... candy, cookies, anything chocolate, cake, ice cream, the list goes on. But, in the last few years, I've developed an undying love for cupcakes. I've always thought cupcakes were fabulous - they're the perfect amount of cake with a generous amount of frosting! It wasn't until I visited Magnolia Bakery in NYC a few years ago on a work trip that I truly fell in love with cupcakes and realized how wonderful these little cakes are. I stood in line for close to an hour waiting for my chance to enter the tiny bakery and order a box full of jumbo cupcakes. Since I had waited so long, you better believe I filled an entire box (even though I was traveling alone). I bought one of Magnolia's famous vanilla cupcakes, a chocolate, red velvet and a strawberry cupcake. As I walked down the street away from the bakery, I tore the wrapper off the vanilla cupcake and took a large bite. Oh my goodness... it was heaven in my mouth. Sugary sweet goodness, I savored every bite as I walked back to who knows where, getting lost in NYC because of my obsession with the Magnolia cupcake.

In the last couple of years I've noticed a "cupcake frenzy," so it appears others are taking notice. To my delight there are now cupcake stores open in Kansas City! Two that I've visited are Cupcake ala Mode near the Country Club Plaza, www.cupcakealamode.com, and Babycakes, www.babycakeskc.com in the River Market downtown. Both offer delicious cupcakes... although the experience isn't like that of Magnolia in NYC. I do love the Raspberry Lemonade cupcake at ala Mode though!

Because of my love for cupcakes, I've decided to do a little show and tell with my sweets, specifically cupcakes. I love to bake and I've found that it's a great creative outlet, as well as a wonderful way to relieve some stress! Lately my life has been consumed with work and grad school, so if I have any extra time for myself, it's good for me to do something that's hands on and creative, as well as stress relieving.

So, here I go. My first project will be Thanksgiving cupcakes. In honor of my story about Magnolia Bakery and my NYC adventure, I'm going to make Magnolia Vanilla Cupcakes for Thanksgiving. I plan on making the cupcakes on Wednesday, so watch for a posting on Thursday! Until then, have a great week!