FREE New Year's Cupcakes...

To celebrate the New Year, Cupcake Bliss is giving away FREE cupcakes and coffee from noon until the last cupcake is gone!  They are serving up the popular flavors of Salty Caramel, Purity and Devil's Delight. This is a great time to try these fabulous cupcakes and enjoy a little R&R.

Cupcake Bliss
3700 Cheek Sparger Rd Suite 130
Bedford, TX  817-685-6690

Happy 2011!!!!

Main Street Bakery

One of my all-time favorite indulgences is a Chocolate Almond Croissant from Main Street Bakery, and it's been far too long since I've enjoyed this delicious pastry.  Today, I made time for my french get-away to Main Street Bakery, Grapevine's boulangerie.  When you walk into this bakery, you walk past the incredible vision of the pastry case filled with freshly made croissants, rolls, muffins, tarts...on and on and on until you make your way to the register where you place your order.  I was determined to arrive early enough to ensure the Chocolate Almond Croissants were still available (they sell FAST)!  I always pair my croissant with a latte, and today was a caramel consumption.  This bakery has a rustic feel to it with hardwood floors, the antique style cake case that sets in front of the main window to tempt those walking by.  I sat at one of the four top tables and cut my croissant in half so that you can see the scrumptious filling of Main Street's award-winning chocolate on the inside of the flaky pastry.  When you bite into this croissant, you have a taste of sweetness from the powdered sugar, a crunch from the flaky crust and then a moist bread surrounding the heavenly chocolate.  I take my time eating this addicting pastry by tearing the layers off and downing each bite with a slurp of my freshly brewed caramel latte.  This is a high unlike anything I could ever imagine...when they are baked to perfection.  I have to say, there a few times I have been disappointed with an over-baked, way-too-crunchy croissant.  While eating, you can view the TV that hangs on one wall showing eye-pleasing pictures of all the bakery's desserts as well as a video showing the pastry chef making the croissants which Main Street is known for.  I frequent this place a lot and feel that when I'm there, I have magically relocated to a small parisian boulangerie.  C'est si bon!

http://www.themainbakery.com/

Cupcake Bliss

Little did I know that there was a cupcake boutique in my little corner of the DFW Metroplex.  I made my way to Cupcake Bliss which is located in a rather new shopping center off of Hwy 121 and MidCities.  This boutique cupcake bakery is simply divine.  When I opened the door to the fresh aroma of baking cakes, I was surprised by the very chic decor.  Pale blue and brown walls, small chandeliers hanging, two high back fabric-covered chairs in front of one window...and then there was the display.  Oh, what lovely cupcakes awaited me.  On a day where the air breathed fall, I knew I had to order a Pumpkin Spice.  My next choice was the Chocolate Bliss.  Each cupcake was $2.75 and a fair size.  There were baby cupcakes on the top counter for sampling...what a fabulous idea!  So many times I have passed up flavors out of fear of not liking what I've ordered.  I passed up the sampling as I was quite confident of my choices.  I was given a fork and plate for my cakes and made my way to one of the few tables in the bakery.  The Pumpkin Spice was spot on!  Piped with cream cheese frosting that is dusted with cinnamon, this cupcake was flavorful.  Not too sweet, not too pumpkin; the spice was just right.  It certainly complimented a fall day.  The Chocolate Bliss was nice, however, I'm not sure any cupcake could have measured up to my Pumpkin Spice high.  I could definately pick up on the cocoa.  Chocolate frosting with chocolate sprinkles makes this a chocolate lover's dream.  Want to know the other flavors Cupcake Bliss offers?  Take a look at their cute chalkboard framed on the wall next to the counter.  And follow them on Facebook for daily updates.  You can also enjoy a cup of coffee from local Buon Giorno at Cupcake Bliss...or a glass of milk to wash down your treats.  And...as if you need another reason to visit...Cupcake Bliss offers a reward card (yes, I have a card in my wallet).  A wonderful place to satisfy your sweet tooth!

http://www.cupcake-bliss.com/

Roots Coffeehouse

I can't believe that this amazing coffeehouse has been open for over a year, and I am just now walking through their door!  Roots Coffeehouse is a gem of a find in North Richland Hills.  I was amazed at the large space when I entered Roots!  The vibe circulating through this place will instantly transform you to a calmer state and definately taps into your inner philanthropic self.  I didn't know what to expect from the menu, and since I had just passed up Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte with a Pumpkin Scone to visit Roots, I was pleading with the menu board to not disappoint me.  I quickly asked the young Barista behind the counter if they had a pumpkin flavor when my eyes focused in that they, indeed, offer the fall flavor.  Yes, it was meant to be for me to visit on this particular day.  Along with my coffee, I ordered a Harvest Muffin hoping it would satisfy my desire for that Pumpkin Scone!  The pastries looked fresh and delicious in their glass covered domes.  And they were all Texas-sized treats!  They offered to warm up the muffin and served it on a plate.  I walked across the concrete floor with my breakfast and settled at one of their tables.  So, where do I start?  I'll go with the most important detail, to me anyway...all coffee at Roots is organic fair trade!  What does that mean to you as a consumer?  It means you can sit and enjoy a great cup of coffee and know that the farmers who grew the beans that produced your great cup of coffee were paid and treated fairly in their business.  And, it helps these farmers in third world countries lead better lives.  Big coffee bean bags that are marked "fair trade" hang along the walls at Roots giving your conscience a nod and wink!  I particularly loved the photos strung along one of the windows that showed a woman picking the coffee beans as well as photos of yogis striking a pose.  There's plenty of seating in this coffeehouse.  The front of the shop and the back are divided by a section that looks like a small living space with leather chairs facing a leather couch and a wood coffee table in between.  The back of the "house" has wood floors, a big country table and chairs that would be fitting for a business meeting as well as other seating.  Paper lanterns hang from the lofty ceiling giving a warm glow and feel to the space.  There were several business people on their laptops, girlfriends chatting in quaint corners, and me taking it all in.  What I noticed most?  QUIET!  There was no obnoxious music blaring, no loud chatter, no employees yelling from behind the counter.  There was this peaceful atmosphere that made me long for a book.  I could have actually enjoyed one of my reads at this coffeehouse.  Now, for the goods.  The coffee was superb!  My small latte was around $3.40 which is great for organic, fair trade coffee.  Also, they use 1883 Syrups (all natural, no artificial flavoring or preservatives, no cholestoral or fats). Now, I noticed on their Facebook page and website that some of the baristas were holding coffee mugs with great coffee art.  My coffee came in the standard to-go cup, so I assume you would have to request a mug if that's your preference.  I would have enjoyed seeing some great art in a mug, but maybe next time.  And the scone craving?  That craving was long forgotten on the first bite of this fresh, moist, flavorful muffin loaded with fruits and nuts and baked in-house.  I was only going to eat half and take the rest home for later.  However, few crumbs remained on the plate when I was ready to leave.  I can say that Roots has won me over and will be my coffeehouse of choice from here on.  And don't forget to put your spare change (after tipping, of course) in the Uganda fund jar at the counter!  Roots takes on a whole new meaning to a great coffee experience.  After all, we do all share the same roots...mankind!  Don't forget to pick up a rewards card to earn your way to a free coffee.

http://rootscoffeehouse.com/

Vintage Timeless Coffee

If you ever find yourself in OKC, make your way to Edmond, OK where a neighborhood coffee bar awaits you!  I absolutely love visiting Vintage Timeless Coffee.  First of all, the coffee and pastries are wonderful!  Secondly, the staff is engaging, friendly and inviting!  Most of all, the place is spot on when it comes to a neighborhood coffee joint!  You walk in and find a long bar with stools for a more bar feel.  There are small niches that have the sofa, chairs and small side tables for the coffee house atmosphere.  There's also table and chairs to accompany business people, small group of friends, or someone like me who wants to spread out my books and magazines to read.  I was excited to see Vintage Timeless Coffee on Groupon, offering customers the chance to save some money and enjoy great coffee.  I ordered a Cinnamon Knot Latte along with a Blueberry scone, which they offered to warm up for me.  The list of flavors goes on and on...can't possibly be disappointed by a lack of variety at this place.  I grabbed my plate with my warm scone as well as my piping hot latte and sat in one of the comfortable chairs toward the back....of course, stopping at the pastry counter to look at all the delicious muffins and pastries they have delivered daily from OKC's famous Brown's Bakery.  I set my things down and returned to the front of the counter where shelves hold an array of magazines (love this idea).  I grabbed several and made my way back to my chosen spot.  I could hear warm hello's from behind the counter with each new customer that walked in.  Those customers sitting at the bar carried on conversations with employees.  A friendly place, indeed!  My scone was soft, blueberry heaven...certainly not your typical crumbley, hard scone (which I enjoy, too).  The strips of frosting gave a sweet sensation that made me forget for a moment that I was devouring a scone.  My coffee was full of cinnamon, perfectly sweetened, and I did not want the experience to end.  I glanced beside me and smiled at the vintage piano along the back wall which, I'm quite certain, held many musical memories.  But, I really enjoyed the comic strips by Dave Miller that adorned the walls all around the shop.  I had to chuckle at the several I read, and thought this a genius touch.  One certainly can't leave Vintage Timeless Coffee in a grumpy mood.  If the staff and the great treats can't lift your spirits, then the comedy will!  In addition, Vintage Timeless Coffee offers a reward card, which after buying a certain number of coffees, you get one free.  Just an added bonus for the customer.  Don't have time to experience the atmosphere, but you want to try the coffee.  Don't fret, a drive-thru awaits you...along with the same warm greeting you would get if you walked through the front door.  Vintage Timeless Coffee, you got it right!  

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oklahoma-City-OK/Vintage-timeless-Coffee/55235482674

Winner!

Society Bakery runs contests on Facebook...a chance to win a free treat!  I always miss out on the contest, but yesterday there was a change in the good luck tide.  I just so happened to sign in on my Facebook page when I saw a post from Society Bakery stating that they would give everyone who commented in two minutes a free cupcake or whoopie pie.  I looked at the time, and only a minute had passed.  I couldn't believe it...really?  I left a quick "me, me me" and happily waited until I saw their "Done" posted.  I actually won!  Lil ol' me won!  I printed off the thread (as was instructed to do).  I made my way to the bakery this afternoon.  Oh, all the delightful flavors...saw the yummy Key Lime that I had so loved on my last visit, but I knew I had to try something different.  Chocolate was sounding pretty good, and I found a chocolate on chocolate on chocolate cupcake called Brooklyn Blackout.  I thought, yes, I'll use my freebie for this chocolate wonder.  I handed over my paper, pointed to my name, and off I went to the other side where I ordered up a Cafe Mocha at Corner Market.  The cupcake was even more delish than it looked.  I was afraid all the chocolate would be a bit too rich, even for me, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The chocolate cake had just a hint of sweetness, but I picked up a buttery note more than anything.  Combine that with a chocolate, fudgey center and sweet chocolate icing...well, it was an exciting experience that my taste buds were thanking me for.  The chocolate slices on top were just an added bonus.  I left there feeling full of joy!  Thanks to Society Bakery for treating me to this cupcake and making my day a bit brighter!  Be sure to Like Society Bakery's Facebook page for your chance to win.

What's Up Cupcake

Happy National Cupcake Day! I thought it fitting to blog about my favorite cupcake corner of the world on this oh-so-sweet day. I’m over-zealous to share What’s Up Cupcake with you. Situated in a small house off of Keller’s Main Street, is What’s Up Cupcake which is family owned and operated. When you open the door, you’re instantly at home…talk about feeling like you’re in Grandma's kitchen...oh boy! The delightful, sweet aroma eases the worst of days and transforms you into blissful ease. The gals at WUC are warm and friendly, and the owner is always engaging. The cupcake display reveals the most extraordinary cupcakes that, I’m quite certain, smile back at you. The flavors change from day to day, and you can keep up with the changing menu on WUC’s Facebook and Twitter pages. I knew on this particular day that they would be making my new favorite flavor (unique to boot), Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. I also ordered a flavor I had yet to try, Caramel Toffee Crunch and, of course, a side of coffee. My treats were put in a plastic to-go carrier, since I would be taking my extra Chocolate Dipped Strawberry cupcake home. I made my way over to the coffee station to fill up my coffee cup; there are usually two flavors to choose from. The house definitely has this coffee house vibe with hardwood floors, separate rooms having a different personality. The front room has the dining experience with bistro style table and chairs, and the adorable photos of their dog posing with a cupcake on its head (now that's a trick) hanging along the wall. My usual spot is in the back room with a couch, leather chairs, and a coffee table with local magazines to read. I love to take my book and sit back in this room to read, nibble on cupcakes all the while glancing at the window that frames beautiful trees. It really is a hideaway! The adjacent room is for little ones to enjoy with child-size table and chairs and pictures of a darling little girl enjoying her cupcake. I, of course, chose to sit on the couch, as usual, to enjoy my goodies. Cross my heart, I have never tasted a cupcake I didn't fall in love with at WUC! They are moist, flavorful and always fresh! The delish, tickle-your-tastebuds Chocolate Dipped Strawberry cupcake stole my heart on the first bite. Imagine your teeth sinking into chocolate sauce, then into a layer of strawberry frosting, followed by a moist chocolate cake. However, the Caramel Toffee Crunch held its own weight in gold, tasting like a toffee bar mixed into a cupcake and drizzled with caramel sauce. Well, Child, it makes you wanna slap yo momma. My momma wasn’t there, so I slapped myself. I’m telling you, it just doesn’t get any better than WUC cupcakes! Whether you pick up a dozen for a party, or just stop in for one cupcake to indulge in, you will always leave feeling better than before you walked in! And, if you buy a t-shirt and wear it on Tuesdays, you get a free cupcake. Now that’s something to smile about!
http://www.whats-up-cupcake.com/