Here's to 2015...

It's going to be a big year- I can feel it. What's already on tap? A web mini-series to go live on www.ulive.com featuring yours truly, teaching you how to bake some of the Reality Bites Cupcakes. Stay tuned! 

While I won't update the blog as much as I have in the past (incase you haven't caught on already), I will be sure to post updates here monthly, but more so on RBC's social handles. Be sure to check us out on Instagram, and follow RBC on Twitter!

The other exciting venture thus far is that I am writing for Martha Stewart's contributor network. My pieces are not necessarily only about baking! And they will be on www.marthastewart.com so be sure to check them out! 

The website will also be ever evolving and I am always open to suggestions on how to make the ordering process easier. Soon enough, you will be able to pay for RBCs online. Welcome to 2015, right?

Cheers to a great year, and thank you for all of your support in 2014!

-A

Virginia is for Lovers

All images ©2014 reality bites cupcakes inc.

Last week, I spent some time down in Richmond, Virginia. Why, you ask? My alma mater is down there, and I was asked to bake for the lovely ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma and their philanthropy event, Kappa Kourtside. While they say you are a “sister for life”, it never crossed my mind how KKG would continue to be a part of my life even after my time at the University of Richmond. What was their request? Blue tennis ball cupcakes. 

I made the drive down, strategically placing boxes of cupcakes in the trunk, and cursing the terrible paving job done on all of the roads through Long Island and New Jersey. Once I got far enough along in the trip, it was smooth sailing, and I got borderline giddy once I saw signs for Richmond.

Richmond is a beautiful city, and it’s on a serious upswing, having recently been named the happiest city in America, one of the top 5 cities to watch, and Departures even featured it as a city to watch as the next big food destination. Not bad, RVA!

Once I delivered these cupcakes, I managed to return to all of my favorite haunts from my time in college. It was a great weekend- I couldn’t have asked for better weather- and it made me incredibly nostalgic for a time when my biggest concern was raising money for the sorority philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, by playing in a tennis tournament on a beautiful day in October.

Cereal Baker

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These cupcakes were such a throwback to being a kid again. Growing up, we weren’t allowed to have sugar cereals unless it was a special occasion. Froot Loops were always the biggest fight (Lucky Charms were completely out of the question), but Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes, and Pops were given the “OK”. 

This idea has been on my mind for over a year now, but it took my cousin lending me her wonderful kitchen in Manhattan to give it a go. Most people don’t get to see the process behind Reality Bites, so it was fun to share that experience with her. Leaving for work, we both took bites of these cupcakes. Not 100% eating cake for breakfast, right?

I think next time I will make the bowl a different color cake (suggestions welcome!) to add to the contrast between the less colorful cereals and the cupcake “bowl”. What do you think? Either way- these cupcakes are the perfect #TBT.  

Bacon Egg and Cheese(Cake)

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TGIF! And here’s to the first week of fall, the first football game of the NFL season, the first week of school (for the young ones), and the second week of the US Open. You’re off to quite the start, September.

Even though I’m pretty focused on this week being over (and sleeping…), I’m still thinking about my Labor Day weekend. RBC spent the holiday up in Hingham, MA, and I had the.best.time. The icing on the weekend is that the lobster roll cupcake was featured on Food In The Air's Instagram. To thank them, the gang put some bagel cupcakes (I brought as a gift for the hosts) in the air. Check out FITA and RBC here! I’m hungry just looking at them…

With fun weekends, comes not as fun mornings, so I made this BEC bagel cupcake in honor of the best hangover cure around. It’s Friday, and I’m sure we all could use one. 

Cupcakes In The Air

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August was a crazy month- RBC moved (again, ugh), adding to the insanity of trying to soak up all of the travel and fun of the last month of summer.

Last weekend I had an impromptu BBQ at my house, and naturally before I had even bought the burgers and hot dogs, the cupcakes were made and already out for display. I don’t often mess around with frosting flavors, but had been craving peanut butter so I gave this frosting a go. To say it was addicting is downplaying it. These chocolate cupcakes hit the table for a first round after I had cleared the chips and dips (before dinner) and then again after dinner. And then again muchhhh later in the night. 

While I much prefer to make the typical RBC cupcake that teases the tastebuds, it was a nice way to mix things up. Kind of like trying this temporary tattoo craze. I ordered that cupcake tattoo from Tattly.

Here’s hoping everyone enjoys their last weekend of summer! -A

Funfetti For the Win

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I follow @nycdining on Instagram, and she has posted a few times about Tompkins Square Bagels’ birthday cake cream cheese bagel, and every single time I promise myself I will go and try this enigma out. While I have yet to try the real deal, I decided to recreate a cupcake version of my own. Behold, a funfetti cream cheese bagel cupcake.

I have to admit, this is one of my favorite, if not my favorite cupcake I have made thus far, solely based on taste. This frosting is addicting, and I found myself sneaking bites throughout the day to avoid a serious sugar rush. 

#TGIF 

Sweet Shots

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Last weekend was a time for celebrating- from a 21st birthday, to a dear friend’s wedding, I was gearing up for the festivities all week. The more excited I am, the less capable I am of sitting still, so I made these cupcake shots for the occasions. 

Mini cupcakes (and shots) are dangerous- it’s hard to keep track of how many you’ve had! Over the course of the celebrations, I managed to indulge in both. To quote LMFAO, “Cup(cakes) in the air, everybody let’s take shots”. 

House of Cards

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What do you bake for a 90th birthday party for a woman who loves bridge and golf? A round of golf cupcakes, and a deck of cards…cupcakes. Full disclosure, the cards are actually brownies, but in order to get their shape just right, brownies were the perfect way to go about it.

This order reminded me most of two things: my brother, who is an incredibly skilled poker player, and House of Cards. The show sucked me in, and I could not stop watching it. Kevin Spacey quickly made my list of favorite actors after season 2, and Robin Wright is just on point. Can you tell I enjoyed it? Best.scene.ever. 

If you play your cards right…

Cupcake Chatter

So many people throughout the week have been telling me about the closing of Crumbs. While it’s certainly sad to see a cupcake giant go, I don’t believe this means the end of cupcakes. 

Here are some of the best and worst articles I’ve read this week about the end of Crumbs. 

Love everything from BA:

http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/crumbs-closing?mbid=social_20140708_27451496

Steam is coming out of my ears:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cupcakes-are-everything-thats-wrong-with-america-2014-07-09?pagenumber=2

And the straight facts:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/sticky-time-for-crumbs-bake-shop-1404770884

Trust me, RBC isn’t going anywhere! 

All American Cupcake

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Happy 4th of July weekend! Since this is one of my favorite holidays, I’m counting down the seconds until I am out of Manhattan and next to some kind of body of water.

The best parts of the 4th of July (for me at least) are the BBQs. This weekend I anticipate that most all of my meals will come off the grill.

To gear up for the weekend, I made BBQ themed cupcakes that were actually featured on Tuesday on @New_Fork_City. This Instagram handle posts some incredible food shots, and RBC was lucky enough to get a shout out for this cupcake trio.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday weekend! 

Photo Booth Phiesta

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Here’s to closing out the birthday week with some fun photos from a Photo Booth “Phiesta”. On Wednesday, RBC joined forces with Lindsay’s Necklaces for a party filled with taco cupcakes, beautiful necklaces, and of course, margaritas and Coronas. 

We had such a great time, and possibly a little too much fun with the photo booth. Cheers to the weekend!

Guess Who's 2!

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This week, RBC is two years old. Can ya believe it?!

It’s going to be a big year- I can feel it. To kick things off, I am debuting the company’s logo for the first time. I am so incredibly excited about it-having worked with an amazingly talented designer since January, it is everything I wanted RBC’s logo to be.

Now that this box is checked, keep an eye out for more exciting things to come. I’m thinking a real website (but don’t worry, the tumblr will still be live), fun events, and of course so many more cupcakes.

Another year and another chance to thank everyone for their continued support and enthusiasm! Customers have become friends, friends have become customers, and you are all doing an amazing job spreading the word. I can’t thank you enough.

My family and dear friends, I owe you big time. I’m not sure where RBC would be if it wasn’t for your taste testing, tags, and never ending love for all things cupcakes.

To another year!

-A

Hats Off To The Graduate

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Well, she did it. Last one in the family to graduate high school, and the sous chef will soon be off to college.  

On top of the hours spent baking the night before the big day, we also spent time going over her graduation speech. She knocked it out of the park. The whole family (cousins, aunts, uncles) were in the audience, and I’m pretty sure my mom wasn’t the only one crying.

A huge congrats to all of the graduates over the past few weekends- I am sure you are all looking forward to summer (first official day is 6/21) more so than anyone. 

Colorful Bites

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Brownies + vanilla frosting + sprinkles = colorful Sunday pick-me-up.

Bringing Home the Bacon

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It’s been a crazy couple of days- over 100 cupcakes and not nearly as much sleep as I’m used to. But what made it all worth it is the way I felt (relief) the second I dropped off this rushed golf cupcake order, or surprised a few coworkers with celebratory cupcakes. 

You’ve seen the golf cupcakes before, but when I was deciding what to make for my boss’ birthday, I decided to cook up a new look for the cheeseburger cupcakes. I managed to find gummy bacon online, and was shocked at how realistic it felt and looked. While the packaging had a warning NOT to cook the gummies, their strawberry smell and taste was indication enough for me that a frying pan was not a good idea.

With all of these recent orders, I was able to invest in a second mixer to keep at my other HQ on Long Island. It was embarrassing how excited I was to bring it home and try it out- the box was even buckled in on the drive home. The hard work, cheesy as it sounds (the puns!), paid off, and now I’m treating myself to a little vacation away from the city and cupcakes. 

Let the Games Begin

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Happy Friday! It’s that time of year again- back to another jam packed summer of traveling, baking, and spending as much time in the sun/pool/ocean as possible. 

I know summer is coming when baseball season starts up. While I haven’t been to any games at Citi Field or Yankee Stadium, I have played for my company’s softball team on Randall’s Island, and engaged in some intense wiffle ball games out in Montauk. (Below) 

To kick off the summer season, I baked these “mancakes” (as my coworker so fittingly deemed them) for well, a man’s birthday. These cupcakes were a fun twist on old tricks for someone who is clearly a sports fan, and a pizza guy to boot.

Here’s to all the summer fun to come!

 

Mums the Word

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Mother’s Day called for a return to baking after what felt like an incredibly long hiatus. I could not figure out why over the last few weeks I have been feeling slightly off, and not 100% myself- the verdict: lack of baking. Once my go-to Pandora station began playing as the oven heated up, I was already feeling better.

Since my mom is an avid gardener, and spring has finally sprung, my sister and I decided to make these cupcakes that were planted in real pots, and covered in chocolate frosting, Oreo “dirt” and fondant “mums”. 

Now that I’m back in action in the kitchen, I’ve been working on another exciting (or I think it is!) update for RBC. I have spent the last few months working with a wonderful designer who is creating a logo for the company that truly captures my desired brand messaging. While nothing is final, I am already so excited to unveil the finished logo. Stay tuned!

Happy (belated) Mother’s Day to all moms, but especially the one who is the brains behind RBC!

Milky Way Madness

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So, I tried melting down candy on the stove for the first time. I’m actually upset I hadn’t thought to do it before. Inside these chocolate cupcakes is a mixture of melted down Milky Ways, cream cheese, butter and sugar. 

March Madness is a huge deal in my office (and everywhere else) and while I have no idea what’s going on, I felt like I contributed to everyone’s enthusiasm when I brought these in for a coworkers birthday.

I think I’m still on a sugar high from baking these, and my apartment is covered in salted caramel which is incredibly messy and delicious. Let the madness continue.

Pot of Gold Cupcake!

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Yes, there’s a cupcake in there! This one is covered in gold dusted vanilla frosting and some M&M pieces of “gold”.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

Slainte!

-RBC

Mint Condition

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It’s that time of year again! Not only is St. Patrick’s Day rapidly approaching, but the Girl Scouts are back in action. Clearly I’m partial to cupcakes when it comes to baked goods, but I find it hard to resist buying a box or two of my favorite Girl Scout cookies, Thin Mints.

If you’re not putting Thin Mints in the freezer before eating them, you’re not living. And while I’m on frozen treats, I’ve surely mentioned my affinity for ice cream, so when deciding what to bake next, I tried to mix them all together. (For some reason, I’m reminded of this book.)

These mint chocolate chip ice cream cone cupcakes (say that ten times fast) are made of mint dark chocolate cake, frosted with mint chocolate chip frosting. I thought I may have overdone it with the mint extract, but these taste like a Thin Mint or Andes in cake form.

As I gear up for St. Patrick’s Day, I’m obviously gravitating towards baking anything green. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, along with parties to bake for this weekend so I’m looking forward to the fun and festivities.

Happy Friday and Cheers!