[desi]gn cakes & cupcakes WINS Cupcake Wars

Another local-to-Southern-California cupcake shop wins Young & the Restless episode on Food Network's Cupcake Wars! 

I first encountered [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes at Cupcake Camp IE in 2010. Then Desiree won a competition I judged in 2011 called Sugar Rush. Later that year she was a contestant on Cupcake Wars, but did not win.

Now she's claimed redemption! Last week [desi]gn cakes was on Cupcake Wars again and WON! Congrats to a well-deserved win!

They are BIG news right now, as they also had a two-day pop-up shop at Nordstrom's in Fashion Island last week. Sadly, I was out of town so I could not attend, but I'm sure it was fabulous. 

[desi]gn cakes makes one of the most unique cupcakes I've ever tasted -- buffalo chicken. Yes, you heard me right and it's delicious! I gotta get over to their commercial kitchen in Chino soon so I can try it again.

Review: Lette

Our staycation in Los Angeles included stops at three different dessert shop: Mikayawa for mochi, 'lette for macarons, and Big Man Bakes for cupcakes (review coming soon!). Talk about a great day!

This was my first time in a macaron-only shop. Macarons are definitely starting to pop up in more places lately and I don't mind at all. I love that they are so little and guiltless. I don't feel bad eating a bunch at one time. I'm very good at rationalizing.

'lette has several locations throughout Southern California. The shop I visited is located in Little Tokyo in LA. BUT I just learned they now have a location in Orange County at Fashion Island. Yes!

Not wanting to be a pig, since we had just left Mikawaya, I only picked out five flavors. Coconut, Salted Caramel, Raspberry, Praline, and Passion Fruit were the winners. Actually, the winner was me because these macarons were soooo good. The Passion Fruit macaron was the best one I've ever eaten...like ever! 

The cream centers were divine. The texture of the "cookie" was perfect. I know that is hard to perfect too. The only flavor I didn't like was Praline and only because it wasn't very sweet. That's just a preference of flavor though. Surprisingly, I like the fruit flavors best whereas I usually try to avoid them with cupcakes.

Macarons at 'lette sell for $1.70 each, which options to purchase as gift boxes. They had a large selection of flavors to choose from, even near the end of the day. The products are high quality. I will definitely be paying a visit to my local 'lette now that I've experienced greatness. But I promise these won't detract me from cupcakes!

'lette Macarons

Locations: Beverly Hills, Little Tokyo, Fashion Island, Larchmont Village, Old Pasadena