Cupcakes for a Cause

In 2003 Zoe's Place, a 501c(3) organization, was formed for the sole purpose of providing housing and employment opportunities to teen mothers and their children in Bergen County, NJ and in 2009 a grant allowed them to open Zoe's Cupcake Cafe in Teaneck, NJ. When I was walking by earlier in November, I was just expecting a mediocre cupcake from a small town in New Jersey to check off my list of cupcakes to try. I did NOT expect to find delicious cupcakes for a cause.

I tried the Tiramisu as well as the Espresso-Nutella and they were delicious, affordable, and although I didn't feel great about the calories after the fact, I was happy that my money would be going towards something more important than sugar, flower and eggs - creating an opportunity for someone else.



To learn more : http://www.zoescupcakecafe.com/about.htm or http://www.zoesplaceinc.org/

Honorable Mention (April 2011)

To commemorate my departure from a beloved position where I made some great friends and lasting relationships, there was a cupcake contest. I was an honorary judge charged with tasting over thirty (yes, thirty!) different cupcakes and naming a winner. Had I been able to participate in the event, I think I would have recieved an honorable mention. The cupcakes I made, from scratch with no help mind you, were dubbed Moo-mosas for the festive cow cupcake paper and delightful orange and champaign flavoring. I think it was the orange zest that made Peter L. buy them all!

Valentine's Day Cupcakes and Fat Tuesday

My lovely boyfriend, being the epitome of thoughtfulness, stopped by Cake Love at the Tyson's Corner Mall in VA and got six little treats for our Valentine's Day weekend (Feb. 19th). I don't even remember all the different ones he got, but I distinctly remember a raspberry lemonade one that was so fresh and light that it melted in my mouth and left me satisfied.

Then, it was time for extravagance and excess that is Fat Tuesday. I did not partake in the gestational festivities, but I decided that I should give up for Lent I should give up cupcakes. Yes, until Easter I will not be taste testing any of the delicious little frosting topped treats.

However, I have been scoping out the true cupcake scene in NYC and it doesn't exist near Time Square (as we learned last Fall). Chelsea and the West Village is where it's at! Magnolia Bakery, Crumbs, and two places in Chelsea Market named Elenis (http://elenis.com/store/category/shop-by-occasion/just-because/cupcakes-just-because/) and Amy's Bread.

Next Year's NYC Cupcake List (not from a truck):http://www.yelp.com/list/best-cupcakes-in-nyc-new-york