Real Kitchen Cupcake – Midweek Food P0rn

 Posted by
May 182011
 
Lemon Cupcake - Real Kitchen

Lemon Cupcake

In addition to an amazingly good take-out and catering menu, Real Kitchen offers daily cupcakes for $2.50. I tried one with lemon frosting and filling from pastry chef Andrea Correa that tasted as good as it looked. The lemon flavor was bright and fresh without that metallic bite you get in some fruity cupcakes. Perfectly sized, too, with a good balance of frosting and cake.

A lot of places that offer cupcakes on the side don’t wow me, but I will be back for more cupcakes and to sample the other baked goods.

Real Kitchen
1433 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 281-2888

Cupcakes à la Crêpes à Latte

 Posted by
Mar 212011
 
Crêpes à Latte | Yellow Cupcake w/Strawberry Frosting

Yellow Cake with Strawberry Frosting

I keep finding cupcakes in unexpected locations. The latest find is at Crêpes à Latte, just off the Irving Park Brown Line stop. This little café bakes all their own goods daily. I’ve only tried one, but I’m impressed enough to go back.

The yellow cake was moist, sweet and didn’t need frosting. However, I’m glad it did because the strawberry frosting was perfect — without the metallic hint you can find in fruity frostings. My only complaint? Too many sprinkles add crunch, not interest.

Cupcakes are $2.49. Flavors vary.

Crêpes à Latte Crêpes à Latte
1840 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613-2406
(773) 549-4444

Mid-afternoon Snacks at Starbucks

 Posted by
Mar 102011
 

Cake Pops

Cake Pops

Starbucks turned 40 on Tuesday, and to celebrate they’ve released a line of new afternoon snacks to go along with their limited-edition anniversary Tribute Blend.

Miniature carrot cake and peanut butter cupcakes can be had for less than 200 calories each. In fact, all their treats — cake pops, whoopie pies, lemon squares, and salty caramel squares — are easy on the waistline.

They’re all delicious, but I especially like the birthday cake-flavored cake pops. The center is doughy with a nibble-y coating of frosting and sprinkles that tastes exactly like birthday cake. You don’t need a whole slice of cake after lunch, and this won’t ruin dinner later.

To extend the birthday fun, Starbucks is offering these snacks for free on March 10-12 from 2-5 p.m. with purchase of a beverage. If you can’t get there on those dates, they’re not that expensive — $1.50 each or two for $2.50. If you’re looking for a reason to pop into Starbucks, they make it hard to say no.

Free samples provided courtesy of Starbucks.

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