In the interest of fairness, I have tasted a lot of cupcakes. Ask anyone who travels with me, dines with me or reads this blog and they will tell you I have eaten a lot of cupcakes. I think it's only right, because how are you to know a good cupcake when you taste one if you haven't eaten a lot of cupcakes. Baked a lot of cupcakes. Dreamed about cupcakes!And at bigYELLOWbowl, we try to bring you all of the important news on cupcakes, which despite the predictions of some publications, are not going away anytime soon. And for that, we are ever so thankful.
My credentials:
- Last spring, I made 102 cupcakes in four flavors for my friend Melissa's opening. It was me vs. the cupcakes.
- I have eaten at cupcakeries from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI to Dallas, TX and Long Beach, CA times two.
- I watched every minute of Martha Stewart's cupcake week and read her cookbook on the subject. She is the queen.
- I have been to the temple of cupcakes, Sprinkles of Beverly Hills and lived to tell the tale.
- I Made dozens of tiny chocolate cupcakes.
- I have even made a cookie tribute to cupcakes...
Satisfied? I love cupcakes.
What do I look for in a good cupcake?
What do I look for in a good cupcake?
- The perfect size; not too large and not too small (Unless it's supposed to be small, of course.).
- Ratio of frosting to cake.
- Crumb of the cake.
- Texture of the frosting.
- Originality of the flavors.
It is very much like judging a beauty pageant. So, you can imagine how exciting it was last summer when Caboodle Cupcakes appeared at the downtown farmer's market. Rumor had it that local artist and cupcakista Susan Tingley (check out the beautiful exploding pots) was opening a temple to cupcakes right here in Terre Haute, IN. But, could she make the transition from small-batch baking to churning out miniature masterpieces day in and day out?
I am pleased to report that indeed, she can. I got to talk to Susan the other night at a party and she said business was going very well--they are selling out almost every day! Caboodle Cupcakes offers a variety of rotating flavors and also does special orders. And, has a very cute pink and green shop right on south 7th street.
This week, I finally got to visit 'la source' with my friend Mary and I was thankful she was willing to go splitsville so I could try two flavors: cinnamon and pumpkin. They were both divine, but the pumpkin won. I could have eaten three of them! Susan said she was working on a new flavor while we were there, sweet potato which she decided to top with a brown sugar frosting. That touched my southern heart! A sweet potato cupcake. If you become a fan on Facebook, you can get updates on what special flavors and offers they have in-store.
I'm also pleased to report that Caboodle Cupcakes are some of the best I have had, hands down. The cake is perfectly tender, but not too soft. The frosting is complementary and in my opinion, perfectly proportionate. And with both classic and experimental flavors, Caboodle Cupcakes is on the way to winning the heart of this city.
Caboodle Cupcakes
3419 South 7th Street
Terre Haute, IN 47802-4016
(812) 232-5551
I am pleased to report that indeed, she can. I got to talk to Susan the other night at a party and she said business was going very well--they are selling out almost every day! Caboodle Cupcakes offers a variety of rotating flavors and also does special orders. And, has a very cute pink and green shop right on south 7th street.This week, I finally got to visit 'la source' with my friend Mary and I was thankful she was willing to go splitsville so I could try two flavors: cinnamon and pumpkin. They were both divine, but the pumpkin won. I could have eaten three of them! Susan said she was working on a new flavor while we were there, sweet potato which she decided to top with a brown sugar frosting. That touched my southern heart! A sweet potato cupcake. If you become a fan on Facebook, you can get updates on what special flavors and offers they have in-store.
I'm also pleased to report that Caboodle Cupcakes are some of the best I have had, hands down. The cake is perfectly tender, but not too soft. The frosting is complementary and in my opinion, perfectly proportionate. And with both classic and experimental flavors, Caboodle Cupcakes is on the way to winning the heart of this city.
Caboodle Cupcakes
3419 South 7th Street
Terre Haute, IN 47802-4016
(812) 232-5551