Sprinkles Ships Cookie Dough and Ice Cream

Did you know Sprinkles ships ice cream and cookie dough? I didn't!

Photo

Yes, this is yummy news! So now I can bake my own Sprinkles brand cookies at home as well as eat the raw cookie dough? Oh wait...you're not supposed to do that?! Come on, I would never do that. Each container will make 6 cookies and costs $12. 

Ice cream is also available by the pint at $10/pint. 21 flavors are available for purchase. Can someone please ship me some Red Velvet ice cream for my birthday?! It' actually today! You can order HERE.

Sprinkles to Sell First Toy

Photo

Sprinkles Cupcakes is expanding their line to include...toys?!

Yes, Sprinkles' first toy will be offered this holiday season for $15. It will be available for sale at Sprinkles store and through their website.

I would have loved something like this as a little girl. What do you think, good idea or not?

OC Register's Best of OC 2013

I have a love-hate relationship with the Best of OC survey from the Orange County Register. This yearly survey supposedly tells what the Best (blank) in Orange County is. Sadly, it's more of a popularity contest. Here's what I mean, Best Chinese Food: PF Chang's. 2nd place for Best Sandwish: Subway. The people of Orange County just don't venture out much. But I feel obligated to report on the cupcake shops that Orange County voted the best in 2013. So here they are!

First Place: Sprinkles Cupcakes

It's hard to compete with such a large, well-known brand. But it's even harder to compete with Sprinkles when they are so good. Along with their great tasting cupcakes, Sprinkles gives you the experience of a gourmet cupcake. They makes their cupcakes feel special and well worth the price tag of $3.25. One thing I really like about Sprinkles is, along with the dozen or so flavors they offer daily, they sell different holiday and season-themed cupcakes throughout the year. I'm looking forward to eating a Pumpkin Cupcake available October 31-November 30.

Second Place: Casey's Cupcakes

I recently reviewed Casey's Cupcakes for the first time. Although I only tried one flavor, it was superb. The whole experience was pretty cool, from the sweet shop to the packaging. I can't wait to go back and try more of their flavors. I have heard they are hit and miss with flavors, but I'm willing to take a chance.

Third Place: SusieCakes

I've proclaimed SusieCakes as one of my favorite cupcake shops. They offer very simple, very delicious cupcakes. My favorite part about their cupcakes is the dollop of frosting hidden in the middle of the cupcake. Yum! Their cupcakes sell for $3.00 each. SusieCakes doesn't just sell cupcakes though, they have many other delicious desserts too. I love their chocolate chip cookies and have been eyeing all of their cakes for a while. You won't be disappointed!

Critic's Choice: Frostings
I reviewed Frostings when they first opened in 2009. Since then, the owners have parted ways and what's left is Frostings and The Cupcake Store. I haven't been back to Frostings since my first review, but I have tried a few of their cupcakes at various cupcake contests. They are a little off-putting to me because of the gigantic amount of frosting they have piled on top of their cupcakes. It's just so overwhelming and sweet. Maybe they are due a re-visit since a lot has changed in the past four years.

Even Batman Eats Cupcakes

Sprinkles isn't open 24 hours, so when Batman needs a cupcake fix...thank goodness for the cupcake ATM.

(Speaking of Batman, what do you think of Ben Affleck being cast as the new Batman?)

New Flavor Alert from Sprinkles (and it's Savory!)

Photo

Last week Sprinkles offered a limited-time-only cupcake for the birth of the royal baby George.

The next big news in the Sprinkles Cupcake world is their new flavor. Yes, a new flavor is exciting, but this cupcake exceeds that excitement because it is Sprinkles first savory cupcake!!

I knew this day would come, and of course it has BACON!

"Thick, smoky bacon is baked to a crisp and woven into our Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cake. Topped with rich, buttery maple cream cheese frosting."

Yum! Of course I'm super thrilled to try this new cupcake, but I must say that Sprinkles is a bit tardy on the savory cupcake bandwagon. I tried my first bacon cupcake probably five years ago.

Although Sprinkles labels this as a new flavor, it will only be available September 6-22. Don't miss out!

Prince of Cambridge Cupcakes from Sprinkles

Photo

What better way to celebrate the birth of the royal baby than with special cupcakes!

For this week only, Sprinkles Cupcakes is selling these commemorative cupcakes at all of their locations. The cupcakes are filled with blue frosting to celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Cambridge.

I'm not sure if this deal is available every day this week, but yesterday Sprinkles was offering "buy 1 get 1 free" when you whisper "Royal Baby." Worth a try!

Sprinkles Secret Menu

I love secret menus! Some of my favorite foods are only found on secret menus: Animal-Style French Fries (In-N-Out), Red Gummy Bear Smoothie (Jamba Juice), and Zebra Hot Chocolate (Starbucks).

Did you know Sprinkles Cupcakes has a secret menu? It just launched yesterday and has just one cupcake on it....for now. I snapped some photos of their Facebook post announcing it because, true to their word, the post disappeared 48 hours later.

The first flavor to debut on the Sprinkles secret menu is Neapolitan. It doesn't have a description, but it looks like a vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting and dipped in chocolate ganache. I want this! Neapolitan is available starting today, but you have to ask for it by name, as it won't be on the menu. Can't wait to try it and see what's next on the secret menu!

Sprinkles Introduces New Flavor and Brings Back a Favorite

Sprinkles Cupcakes, "the world's first cupcake bakery," has introduced a new flavor. Introducing: Cuban Coffee. This cupcake is made with Belgian light chocolate cake topped with dark roast coffee frosting and hints of cinnamon and cocoa. I'd love to try to, but I don't think it will be my favorite.

Photo

For the month of April, Sprinkles has brought back the popular S'more cupcake. This Belgian dark chocolate cake is lined with graham crackers, filled with bittersweet chocolate ganache, and topped with toasted marshmallow frosting. Yum! I gotta swing by before these are gone again (available April 5-28).

Photo

Sprinkles Ice Cream Coming to Orange County!

When I heard Sprinkles Cupcakes was expanding into the cupcake world, my mind almost exploded! I made a trip out to Beverly Hills to taste the magic. It was better than expected!

Today Fast Food Maven is reporting that Sprinkles Ice Cream is opening their second location in Orange County. Well, hallelujah!! Now I won't have to drive out to LA to get some amazing ice cream. The new location will be next door to their Sprinkles Cupcakes location in Corona del Mar. Perfect!

You can read my Sprinkles Ice Cream review here.

Review: Sprinkles Ice Cream

When my friend Jill said we should take a trip to LA to try out the new Sprinkles Ice Cream shop, she didn't need to mention it again. The trip was planned and we were both ecstatic!

At the beginning of summer, Sprinkles Cupcakes expanded into the ice cream world by opening an ice cream shop next to their cupcake shop and ATM in Beverly Hills. The other day I shared my cupcake ATM experience and now I'm giving you the low-down on the new chilly treats.

I was surprised that the shop was so empty since it's been so hot here lately. I guess everyone wanted a cupcake from next door instead. We were greeted immediately and told that only the flavors with red dots next to their names were available that day. That's the way the cupcake shop works too.

We were offered samples of as many flavors as we wanted. I wanted to make sure I got the best flavor experience so I tried a few of them. Online reviews said the Salty Caramel was too salty, but I had to see for myself. Yes, it was very salty, but still edible and delicious.

Jill chose Cap'n Crunch, which was also a top pick for me. Caramelized pieces of the cereal were present in the Cap'n Crunch flavored ice cream. She got her ice cream in a red velvet cone. Great choice!

What did I get? Well, I couldn't resist a classic. Red Velvet ice cream in a red velvet cone. This wasn't just red velvet flavored ice cream though. It was "sweet cream layered with bites of Sprinkles Cupcake iconic red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting." It was absolutely, positively outstanding! 

Plain old ice cream cones aren't the only things available at Sprinkles Ice Cream shop. You can also get ice cream sundaes, cupcake shakes, ice cream sandwiches (ice cream sandwiched between two cupcake tops), and cookies. I can't pass up a good cookie, so I brought home a Peanut Butter Pretzel Chip cookie for my hubby. Just look at the cookie, there's no doubt it's delicious! Yum, yum, yum, yum, YUM!

Let's talk about prices. This shop isn't a regular Baskin Robbins, so of course you're paying more. One scoop of ice cream is about $3.50. Add a red velvet waffle cone for an additional $1 (worth it!). Cookies were $3 each. But I will say that my ice cream scoop size was very generous. I have no problem paying $4.50 for ice cream that big and that delicious.

Sprinkles Ice Cream

9631 South Santa Monica Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Sun-Wed 11-11

Thur-Sat 11-12

Made a Cupcake Withdrawal

Just when you've think you've seen it all in the cupcake world, something new pops up!

A few months ago I shared the news that Sprinkles Cupcakes had installed an ATM machine next to their Beverly Hills store. This wasn't just any ATM machine, this one dispenses cupcakes!

Last week I made the trek up to LA to try it out (along with another dessert that I'll be posting about later this week). The cupcake ATM machine is located directly next door to the iconic Beverly Hills cupcake shop. The shop had a line out the door, but the ATM machine was available, just calling to me to use it.

The touchscreen was very easy to use. I scrolled through the list of available cupcakes, which were the ones that were also available in the shop. How could I not chose Red Velvet?...That is, after all, my favorite from Sprinkles.

Each cupcake costs $4, which is $0.50 more than purchasing one from their shop. But if you need a cupcake when the shop is closed, this is a great deal. I swiped my credit card and before you could blink my cupcake appeared. I was so busy taking pictures that the door almost closed before I had grabbed my cupcake. Now wouldn't that be a tragedy!

I didn't eat my cupcake right away, as I had just eaten another delicious treat (can you guess what it was?). I put my cupcake box on top of the car as I loaded my baby boy into his carseat. We drove for a few minutes before I realized that my cupcake was still on the roof of my car! Oh no! I rolled down the window and reached my hand up on top of the car. YES!!! It was still there. Thank goodness for LA traffic so I couldn't drive fast and it didn't fall off.

I waited until later that day to enjoy my delicious cupcake. I remembered why Red Velvet is my favorite flavor from Sprinkles: I'm in love with their cream cheese frosting!

What do you think about the concept of a cupcake ATM? I love the idea. Most of my cupcake cravings pop up after cupcake shops and bakeries are closed. Have you made a cupcake withdrawal yet?

Sprinkles Moves into the Ice Cream World

Photo

It was only a matter of time before Sprinkles added a new product. The question was: what would it be? Macarons, cookies, cake pops? We got our answer: ICE CREAM! 

According to Serious Eats, Candace and Charles Nelson have opened an ice cream shop next door to their Beverly Hills Sprinkles Cupcakes store and ATM machine. Sprinkles Ice Cream shop will feature 12 flavors daily from 20 rotating flavors. Put this isn't just a normal ice cream shop. It will also feature red velvet cones, customizable ice cream sandwiches, and cupcake sundaes. Yes I said cupcake sundaes. I'm LOVING the sound of this!

So which flavors am I dying to try? Malted Milk Chocolate, Cap'n Crunch, and of course Red Velvet. I need to get there soon!

#7 on My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time

The list continues...

I constantly get asked, "where can I find the best cupcakes?". Wow, it's just so hard to narrow it down because I've tasted so many delicious cupcakes. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." But I think it's time to reveal my updated list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list is constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#7

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sprinkles Cupcakes

LOCATION: Throughout the USA (my location: Newport Beach, CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Red Velvet and Pumpkin




How could Sprinkles not be on my list? Sprinkles was the first cupcake shop I've ever visited and it is definitely a winner. Their giant cupcakes are delicious! My favorite flavors are the ones with cream cheese frosting. I'm dying to try their new Salty Caramel cupcake though! Sprinkles is one of the pioneers of the cupcake world. They have great tasting cupcakes, a nice flavor selection, and enough frosting to keep you on a sugar high for a week. $3.25 is a small price to pay for frosting happiness! You can read my full review here.

Free Cupcakes from Sprinkles

Sprinkles Cupcakes is giving away free cupcakes to celebrate their new extended hours. If you go into any Sprinkles Cupcakes today or tomorrow during the new extended hour (8pm-9pm), you will receive one free cupcake per person. Yay! FYI: Sunday's new hours are 10am-8pm. I like the new later hours. I will definitely take advantage.

Sprinkles Cupcakes Now Available via ATM

Photo

You've probably heard about it by now, but in case you haven't, here's the latest cupcakes news: Sprinkles has installed a 24-hour cupcake ATM outside of it's Beverly Hills store. So now when you have that midnight hankering for a cupcake, you can finally have relief!

According to laist.com, the ATM machine will be restocked daily and will hold a variety of flavors. Red Velvet will always be available since it's the most popular flavor. The machine holds 600 cupcakes, available for $4 each. Last minute catering option?

Would you buy cupcakes from cupcake dispensing machine?

OC Register Names "The Best of Orange County"

Each year the Orange County Register puts out a publication called "The Best of Orange County." It is derived from a survey where residents of Orange County vote for the "Best (blank) in Orange County." The publication was delivered today and of course the first category I looked at was "Best Cupcakes." For the most part, I can agree with the masses.

First Place: Sprinkles Cupcakes

It's hard to compete with such a large, well-known brand. But it's even harder to compete with Sprinkles when they are so good. Along with their great tasting cupcakes, Sprinkles gives you the experience of a gourmet cupcake. They makes their cupcakes feel special and well worth the price tag of $3.25. One thing I really like about Sprinkles is, along with the dozen or so flavors they offer daily, they sell different holiday and season-themed cupcakes throughout the year. I'm looking forward to trying their Caramel Apple available October 7-31.

Second Place: The Perfect Circle Cupcakery

This shop was bound to be successful with the popularity of the revamped Old Town Orange Circle. The Perfect Circle has become my local shop, as it is only blocks from my house. I love the cream cheese frosting that is present on top of the red velvet, pumpkin, and banana cupcakes. The owner has appeared on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars twice and even grabbed a win the second time. Mixed reviews from readers and reviewers have left me surprised that The Perfect Circle was one of the top cupcake shops in Orange County. Bad customer service and dry cake don't seem to be holding down The Perfect Circle's popularity. Cupcakes are $3.25 each and run out quickly, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.

Third Place: SusieCakes

I've proclaimed SusieCakes as one of my favorite cupcake shops. They offer very simple, very delicious cupcakes. My favorite part about their cupcakes is the dollop of frosting hidden in the middle of the cupcake. Yum! Their cupcakes sell for $3.00 each. SusieCakes doesn't just sell cupcakes though, they have many other delicious desserts too. I love their chocolate chip cookies and have been eyeing all of their cakes for a while. You won't be disappointed!

Critic's Choice: Meringue Bake Shop

I can honestly say that cupcakes from Meringue Bake Shop are my favorites in Orange County! From the time I reviewed Meringue over 2-1/2 years ago until now, her cupcakes just keep getting better. Meringue Bake Shop currently sells her cupcakes at the Great Park Farmer's Market on Sunday and through direct order. Meringue has differentiated herself by introducing the world to Push Cakes. These delicious treats are modeled after a childhood candy called PushPops and are out of this world! My dream is that Meringue Bake Shop will open it's door at a real shop so I can eat her delicious cupcakes any day of the week!

How Far Do I Have to Run to Burn Off a Sprinkles Cupcake?

The other day someone told me that she found my blog by researching how far she'd had to run to eat one Sprinkles cupcake. I've wondered this too, but I'm in denial about how many calories are in cupcakes. Being the health-nut that I am, I should probably know this info. So here goes...if you don't read any further, I totally understand.

Last year I posted some nutrition facts for two of my favorite Sprinkles cupcakes (pumpkin and red velvet). Since Red Velvet is one of the most popular flavors, we'll use it in today's example.

Photo

According to livestrong.com, a Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting has 497 calories! (In their defense, Sprinkles cupcakes are pretty big.)


According to healthstatus.com, a 140lb person running at a 7mph pace (8:30 mile) will burn 730 calories an hour. So to burn a 497 calorie cupcake, you would have to run for 40.8 minutes. At a pace of 7mph, that's 4.8 miles.

(Me and my Team Sparkle running buddies)

So in order to enjoy one Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcake, you would have to run 4.8 miles to burn it off. 4.8 miles is a long run. Would it be worth it to you? I'm interested to hear what you think.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #5

The list continues...

I constantly get asked, "where can I find the best cupcakes?". Wow, it's just so hard to narrow it down because I've tasted so many delicious cupcakes. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." But I think it's time to reveal the list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! I'm sure this list will be ever-changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try. Enjoy the remainder of 2010!

#5

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sprinkles Cupcakes

LOCATION: Throughout the USA (my location: Newport Beach, CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Red Velvet and Pumpkin




How could Sprinkles not be on my list? Sprinkles was the first cupcake shop I've ever visited and it is definitely a winner. Their giant cupcakes are delicious! My favorite flavors are the ones with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkles is one of the pioneers of the cupcake world. They have great tasting cupcakes, a nice flavor selection, and enough frosting to keep you on a sugar high for a week. $3.25 is a small price to pay for frosting happiness! You can read my full review here.

The Best of Orange County 2010

Each year the Orange County Register puts out a publication called "The Best of Orange County." It is derived from a survey where residents of Orange County vote for the Best (blank) in Orange County. The publication was delivered today and of course the first category I looked at was "Best Cupcakes." For the first time ever, I am happy with the results.

First Place: Sprinkles Cupcakes

It's hard to compete with such a large brand. But it's even harder to compete with Sprinkles when they are so good. Along with their great tasting cupcakes, Sprinkles gives you the experience of a gourmet cupcake. They make their cupcakes feel special and well worth the price tag of $3.25. One thing I really like about Sprinkles is along with the dozen or so flavors they offer every day, they sell different holiday and season-themed cupcakes throughout the year. I can't wait to try their Salty Caramel available November 5-14.

Second Place: Susiecakes

I've proclaimed Susiecakes as one of my favorite cupcake shops. They offer very simple, very delicious cupcakes. My favorite part about their cupcakes is the dallop of frosting hidden in the middle of the cupcake. Yum! Their cupcakes sell for $3.00 each. Susiecakes doesn't just sell cupcakes, they have many other delicious desserts too. I love their chocolate chip cookies and have been eyeing all of their cakes for a while. You won't be disappointed!

Third Place: Divine Desserts

I'm so happy that they made it on the list. Divine Desserts sells great cupcakes and deserves to be recognized for that. I got the grand tour of Divine Desserts last year. I was blown away by their flavors, their service, their presentation, and of course their taste. My favorite cupcake of the day: Red Velvet. I know this is cliche, but there's something special about Divine Desserts' Red Velvet. They wouldn't tell me what it was, you will just have to try it yourself. Their cupcakes sell for $3.00 each.

Although I have viewed "The Best of Orange County" publication as useless in the past, I am very satisfied with the results. It was hard to take a publication serious that named The Olive Garden as Best Italian Restaurant. Maybe Orange County is starting to get it though. You can view all of the results of "The Best of Orange County" here. Tell me if you agree or disagree with any of the picks.

Sprinkles Expands to Chicago

Photo: Sprinkles

I am lucky enough to live within 20 miles of a Sprinkles store. And now the people of Chicago are fortune to have access to Sprinkles cupcakes too. Sprinkles Cupcake opened their newest location in Chicago yesterday. In honor of the new location, Sprinkles is donating $25,000 to Hope Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. That's pretty cool of them.

When I spoke with Candace Nelson, owner of Sprinkles, a few months ago, she said Sprinkles will be opening five locations by the end of the year. Where do you want Sprinkles to open next?