Lunchtime Links for October 29th, 2010

• The Kitchn: Cupcake bars.
• Jersey Shore: Recap from TVGasm.
• Blondie & Brownie: Brunch at the Breslin.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella chocolate chip cookies.
• Serious Eats: Halloween treats at Bouchon Bakery.

Baked & Wired Goodies

As much as you'll see posts about Georgetown Cupcake over and over again on here, there are a few other places that I also enjoy- one of them being Baked & Wired in Georgetown.  It's tucked away on a side street, away from the madness that can be M Street with all the shops and restaurants.  I love the atmosphere, baked goods, and the iced mocha especially, haha.  

I picked these up during the Taste of Georgetown a few weekends ago - such a fun day of sampling treats and enjoying the weather!  The cupcakes are Strawberry (vanilla cake with fresh strawberries folded in the batter finished with a swirl of pink buttercream) and Pumpkin Spice (pumpkin cake topped with a pumpkin spiced cream cheese frosting), and the bar in the front is the Bee Sting (shortbread cookie topped with sliced almonds and honey).  I've had and loved the Strawberry cupcake before, but never had their Pumpkin Spice cupcake- it was great!  Everything you could want from a pumpkin item - moist and delicious, without that overwhelming "spice" flavor you sometimes come across with pumpkin baked goods.  Delicious!   I also really enjoyed the Bee Sting, more than I thought I would initially.  I loved the crunch of the sliced almonds with the rich, buttery shortbread underneath, plus the honey for sweetness and to hold it all together.  I would love to make this at home!  This was fantastic as a snack with a cup of hot tea :o)  I'm glad I got to try two new items from this cute bakery/coffeeshop, and encourage you to check it out if you're in the area!

1051 Thomas Jefferson Street NW (between 30th and 31st)

Washington, DC 20007

202.333.2500

Lunchtime Links for October 28th, 2010

• metrocurean: Brunch at Masa 14.
• Serious Eats: Best croissants in NYC.
• Real Housewives of Atlanta: Recap from TVGasm.
• Bakerella: Pecan pumpkin butter dessert squares.
• The Kitchn: Bacon and cheddar cheese biscuits.

Martha Stewart Blondie Cupcakes

After making the (modified) Martha Stewart butterscotch-cashew blondies, I wanted to make something from her Cupcakes book next.  As it turns out, these Blondie cupcakes are essentially the same as the aforementioned blondies, just in cupcake form, haha.  But, in case anyone's looking for a non-chocolate, cupcake version of a blondie bar, well, here ya go! :o)

These turned out tasty and were v. easy to transport to work, due to the lack of frosting.  But, if you are looking for a frosting-ed cupcake, I'd recommend a nice brown butter glaze!

Lunchtime Links for October 27th, 2010

• Jersey Shore: Recap from TVGasm.
• Pioneer Woman: Big steak salad recipe.
• Top Chef Just Desserts: Recap from TVGasm.
• The Kitchn: Tea-infused chocolates.
• Pumpkin: Pumpkin pie French toast.

Vita Coco Coconut Water with Peach & Mango

Generally speaking, not a fan of coconut.  Hate the texture, don't like the taste, etc. etc.  This fact might be the most obvious in my Georgetown Cupcake reviews, as the coconut cupcakes were some of the more difficult ones for me to review, haha.  However, you'd have to be living under a rock to not notice the influx of coconut water these days.  Celebs are photographed carrying various brands of coconut water, there are ads in magazines, and people have touted it as a great post-workout hydrator and hangover cure, haha.   

Even with all the coverage, I continued to ignore the coconut water craze due to my aversion to the main ingredient.  However, my love of free things trumped my hatred of coconut during the Passport to Style event in Wisconsin Place, where Vita Coco had a stand.  I was given an ice-cold...carton? juice-pack? whatever you want to call it, of their coconut water with peach & mango.  Well color me impressed, it was REALLY good!  I think it helped that it had peach and mango in it, since I like those flavors, haha.  But still, it was super refreshing and tasty, and I could see why fans of coconut water are so jazzed up about it.  I've seen Vita Coco sold at Whole Foods and CVS, but I'm sure they are also sold at other stores/supermarkets as well.  Give it a try if you're curious about coconut water!  

Lunchtime Links for October 26th, 2010

• Serious Eats: Treats Truck in NYC.
• Midtown Lunch: Momofuku Ma Peche sandwiches.
• Cherry Tea Cakes: Pumpkin cinnamon apple donuts.
• The Kitchn: Good uses for your apple peels. 
• Tasty Kitchen: Apple cider donut holes.