[cupcakes take the cake]



This desert isn’t just for kids and birthdays. The cupcake frenzy is on the rise. One can even refer to it as a renaissance revival perhaps traced as far back as the early days of Sex in the City with Carrie and her girls indulging in the delights of Magnolia cupcakes. But move over Manhattan, our very own Tampa has caught up with the craze. 

Who ever thought a child’s favorite could go gourmet, but both Pane Rustica and Chocolate Pi have topped the scale with a moist cake and rich icing. For those who prefer buttercream then Chocolate Pi will satisfy your fancy. If bling is what you crave, Pane' Rustica's combo frosting of meringue and buttercream will make you beg for more. These cupcakes come in an assortment of pastel-crystal-sugar icing – we think it's a combo recipe... they aren't divulging this winning recipe!

If your weakness is Wright Deli cake, no need to feel the guilt of buying a whole cake for one when you can now get individual mini-versions of their famous cakes in the form of cupcakes. These tip the scale, generous size and full of flavor.

Whole Foods has just entered the cupcake wars with their own delectable creations…these cupcakes are big enough for two and are beautifully decorated with chocolate shavings and/or swirly lime flavored icing.

Hitting the sweet spot is The Cupcake Spot, delivering a curated assortment of 14 flavors a day!


And if you are feeling the itch to bake but lack the skill it takes, visit William Sonama and pick up Sprinkles Cupcake Mixes. Created by Sprinkles, the celebrated Beverly Hills cupcake shop, each of these mixes bakes up to a dozen scrumptious cupcakes. Wholesome and high quality ingredients make this an easy pass for homemade-crafted. With each mix, you’ll receive the signature confectioners’ “dots” that make Sprinkles’ cupcakes so mod, along with a simple recipe for frosting.


Pane' Rustica Bakery & Cafe
3225 S Macdill Ave
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 902-8828
 
Chocolate Pi 
2821 S Macdill Ave
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 831-2195
 
Wright's Gourmet House
1200 S Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 251-5242
.   
Whole Foods
1548 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 874-9435
 
The Cupcake Spot
2401 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Suite BTampa, Fl 33629
813) 258-3111

Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes (depending on the size of your cupcake papers and muffin tins)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.

Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Buttercream Icing
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
1-2 drops of food color to taste
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
In a small bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Set aside.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing. Ice the cupcakes.

*Recipe adapted from Magnolia's Cookbook