Review: Big Man Bakes

I wasn't planning on a visit to Big Man Bakes, but when you're walking down the street and it's suddenly in front of you, you HAVE to make a detour.

Even though this was my first visit to Big Man Bakes in LA, this wasn't my first time tasting their cupcakes. I met Chip, the owner, at the LA Cupcake Challenge three years ago. (Click here to see a photo of the "big man" holding a mini cupcake.) I vividly remember the moistness of the red velvet cupcake, which won for Best Traditional.

On this day we were with some friends and their two adorable boys. I couldn't help posting this photo of them. 

Like I mentioned before, we hadn't planned on stopping by so my stomach was already full, but I did happen to find room for two XL ($3.25 each) and three mini ($1 each) cupcakes.

I tried getting a variety of flavors: Oreo, Red Velvet, Pumpkin Spice, Double Chocolate, and Carrot Cake. Big Man Bakes cupcakes certainly live up to their motto: fresh, moist, fantastic cupcakes. The surprising favorite was Carrot Cake. I correctly remembered how wonderful their cream cheese frosting is. The Double Chocolate was also so delicious, as the frosting was made with Ghirardelli chocolate. I enjoyed them all and would definitely eat them again. The cake was just so moist!

The boys loved their cupcakes too. It always makes me happy to introduce people to quality cupcakes. It feels like I'm doing my job right.

After a day of French-dipped sandwiches, mochi, and macarons, these cupcakes certainly topped it off perfectly. And it the cherry on top was seeing Chip at the store too. Big Man Bakes is on my list of favorite LA cupcakes.

Big Man Bakes

413 S. Main St.

Los Angeles, CA 90013

www.bigmanbakes.com

Facebook: Big Man Bakes

Twitter: @bigmanbakes

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipes

My life changed two days ago...I finally did it! I made cream cheese frosting. Don't judge me! This may have been the first time I've made cream cheese frosting, but I can't help that buying a tub of frosting for $1.50 is so convenient.

As I started looking around, I noticed that no two cream cheese frosting recipes were alike. I ended up using a recipe from a new cupcake cookbook that I got ahold of last week. I will post the recipe in a few days. Here are a few other recipes I came across.

From C&H Sugar:
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 T. butter, softened
2 T. milk
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
4 c. C&H Powdered Sugar

From Bakerella's Red Velvet Cookie recipe:
1/2 c. butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 lb. box of confectioner's sugar
1 t. vanilla

From Martha Stewart:
16 oz. cream cheese, room temp.
2 t. vanilla
1 c. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, softened
2 lbs. confectioner's sugar, sifted

From RecipeGirl:
1/2 c. butter
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 box powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

From Cupcake Bake Shop:
4 oz. Philly cream cheese
1/4 stick butter, softened
2 c. sifted powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Cupcake Tower. Contest ends on Friday!

Posh Pumpkin Cupcakes

Photo

I think I only need a few words to grab your interest in this cupcake:

Cranberry Pumpkin Cupcake
Dulce de Leche Cream Filling
Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Mousse

Yes, please. I'll take two.

Came across this cupcake on a blog called One Imaginary Girl. She calls her creation Posh Pumpkin Cupcakes. I don't care what she calls them, they sound so amazing! She writes, "You had four different textures in one bite." Please stop, you don't need to do any more convincing, I really want one. Luckily, the recipes (yes, multiple recipes, one for each part of the cupcake) are published on her blog. Go here.