LA Cupcake Challenge 2011: The Competitors, Part Three

The cupcakes from the LA Cupcake Challenge continue...

Stephanie Sparkles

www.stephaniesparkle.com
Twitter: @s_sparkles
Facebook: Stephanie Sparkles
Catering company in Venice, CA

29: Acai Jungleberry Bliss
Definitely one of the prettiest cupcakes at the event. The flowers on these cupcakes were edible, although I wouldn't advise eating them.

30: Sweet Picnic Chevre

A fig cupcake topped with goat cheese and a sliced pear. I like the flavor idea, but it just didn't work for me.

Sweet E's Bake Shop
www.sweetesbakeshop.com
Twitter: @SweetEsBakeShop
Facebook: Sweet E's
Los Angeles, CA

13: Pink Velvet
Nice to see a strawberry twist on a red velvet.

33: Sparkling Strawberry Champagne
More strawberry. Would have liked to see a completely different flavor.

Friandise Pastries
www.friandisepastries.com
Twitter: @friandisepastry
Facebook: Friandise Pastries
Los Angeles, CA

20: Candied Sweet Potato

This cupcake won 2nd overall and was one of my top picks for the events. Sweet potato cupcake with marshmallow topping and a piece of candied bacon. The sweet and salty combo was perfect.

05: Abuelita's Chocolate Cupcake
Had a hint of Mexican chocolate. Wish it had a little more.

Frosting Forever
Flickr: Frosting Forever

06: Chocolate
I must have missed this cupcake.

21: Churro Dulce de Leche
I like the flavor idea, but the execution didn't work for me.

Cake Pop LA
www.cakepopla.blogspot.com
Etsy: Cake Pop LA
Los Angeles, CA

03: Red Velvet
I love cake pops, but I don't know if I would consider them a cupcake. These cake pops were excellent though.

17: Peanut Butter Cup
Yum! Peanut butter and chocolate are so perfect together!

Check out the first and second group of competitors.
See the winners of the LA Cupcake Challenge here.

LA Cupcake Challenge 2011: The Competitors, Part Two

The cupcakes keep coming. I was almost overwhelmed by how many cupcakes there were at this year's LA Cupcake Challenge. Key word: almost.

My Delight Cupcakery
www.mydelightcupcakery.com
Twitter: @My_Delight
Facebook: My Delight Cupcakery
Ontario, CA

I reviewed My Delight Cupcakery just a week before the LA Cupcake Challenge. I fell in love with their unique flavors, moist cake, and delicious frostings. Last year they placed 1st for Best Original and 2nd for Best Overall. They certainly didn't disappoint at LA Cupcake Challenge this year, as they won 1st place in all three categories! Congratulations are well-deserved!

11: Red Velvet
Even though I knew this Red Velvet was amazing, I was still impressed at how well it stacked up against the competition. Perfect cream cheese frosting!

27: Late Night Breakfast

This chicken & waffles cupcake was the talk of the afternoon. Although I've eaten a chicken & waffles cupcake before, this one was delicious. The maple syrup frosting was a bit greasy for me, but I loved the flavor combination of this cupcake.

And who wouldn't love this display? Yum!

Jus Minis

www.jus-minis.com
Twitter: @jusminis
Facebook: Jus Minis

Last year Jus Minis took 2nd in Best Original and 1st in Best Overall. Like My Delight Cupcakery, they matched their performance from last year. Although they got a 2nd and 3rd this year, I think their cupcakes deserved better.

24: Josephine
I loved the flavor combination of this vanilla cupcake, filled with caramel, topped with Nutella frosting, caramelized d'anjou pear, and a phyllo agave crisp. Several of these ingredients were unique, which made this cupcake one of my favorites of the day.

Fresh pears make a good display. I like how Jus Minis assembles their cupcakes at the event. They did this last year with their caramelized bananas. I think this makes the cupcakes more delicious.

10: Red Velvet
Not just an ordinary red velvet, this one was filled with cheesecake, topped with cherry compote cream cheese frosting and graham cracker crumbles. Yum!

Hansen's Cakes

08: Bridal White Cake

www.hansencakes.com

Twitter: @hansencakes

Showrooms in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Tarzana

Hansen's used the same exact boring cupcake as last year. I have no idea why so many people voted for this cupcake as Best Traditional. Because you can find it at every wedding? Blah.

I learned that Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom used Hansen's Cakes for their wedding cake. Maybe that's why everyone voted for them.

The Cake Mamas
www.thecakemamas.com
Twitter: thecakemamas
Facebook: The Cake Mamas
Glendora, CA

I met The Cake Mamas at Cupcake Cake IE last fall. Their Autumn Apple cupcake won for Tastiest Cupcake.

34: Cookies N' Cream
So much Oreo in this cupcake...I loved it!

14: Chocolate Truffle
Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. I especially liked the mousse frosting.

Blue Cupcake
www.bluecupcake.com
Twitter: @blue_cupcake
Facebook: Blue Cupcake
Sold at Century City Farmer's Market, Carmela Ice Cream, and Boba Loca Coffee

Blue Cupcake won 2nd place in Best Traditional last year. I chose them as one of my favorites.

02: Chocolate S'mores
I like that they toasted the masrhmallow frosting to make it more authentic.

16: PB and J

Although I've had PB & J cupcakes before, this one was outstanding. Blue Cupcake is on my list of favorites again this year.

Check out the first group of competitors here.
See the winners of the 2011 LA Cupcake Challenge here.

LA Cupcake Challenge 2011: The Competitors, Part One

My favorite cupcake competition of the year came and went too fast. Last year I had a blast and was not disappointed this year. The LA Cupcake Challenge showcases some of the best cupcakes in the LA area. I could barely contain my giddiness as I walked into the room and saw all of the cupcakes.

Yesterday I posted the results of the competition, but for the rest of the week I am introducing all of the cupcakes entered in the contest, along with their contact info. I will also be posting my picks for the best cupcakes.

Fairy Cakes Bakery
www.fairycakesbakery.com
Facebook: Fairy Cakes Bakery
Orange County, CA

19: Pineapple Right Side Up
Loved their cupcake flavors last year, but not so much this year

The Cake Shop
www.bakerysweets.com/The_Cake_Shop
Apple Valley, CA

15: Red Velvet
Same red velvet as last year, but I really like the chocolate ganache, as it sets it apart from other red velvets.

35: Chery Bomb
One of my favorite cupcakes of the day. I'm not normally a cherry person, but this cupcake tasted just like a cherry cordial.

Sugar Babies Cupcakery
www.sugarbabiescupcakery.com
Twitter: @Sugar_Babies
Facebook: Sugar Babies Cupcakery
Cupcake truck in LA Area

32: PB and J
Good peanut butter frosting.

12: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Pretty blue color, but plain taste.

Magnolia Bakery
www.magnoliabakery.com
Twitter: @magnoliabakery
Facebook: Magnolia Bakery
Los Angeles, CA

I've been wanting to try Magnolia Bakery since they opened a LA location. I finally had my chance.

25: S'mores

I liked the look of these cupcakes because they were all different. The cake was dry, but because of that, it tasted more like a graham cracker. The frosting was a good mix between buttercream and marshmallow.

26: Orange

Blah. My friend Jill liked this, but I'm not much of an orange fan.

See the results of LA Cupcake Challenge here. Check back soon to see the next set of competitors.

Tonight's Episode of Cupcake Wars: Valentine's Day

Four cupcake bakers vie for the chance to have their delicious displays featured at an ocean-side wine tasting for couples with a special romance icon.


Jones Bros. Cupcakes (Omaha, NE) - Not just a cupcake shop, they sell sandwiches, salads, paninis, cakes, cheesecakes, and other tasty treats. They have three different lemon cupcakes. Is that weird?

Frosted Betty Bakeshop (Katy, TX) - Their strawberry balsamic cupcake sounds delicious. I remember thinking balsamic sounded gross in a cupcake. Just wait until you try it.

Krista's Kupcakery (Long Beach, CA) - Yeah, another Southern California baker! I don't know anything about this company except that they deliver in the Long Beach area.

Double D Cupcakes (Lancaster, CA) - I did a feature on them last year and they also grabbed a 3rd place win for Best Traditional cupcake at the LA Cupcake Challenge last weekend. Let's see if another Southern California cupcake shop can grab a Cupcake Wars victory.

LA Cupcake Challenge 2011 Results

The cupcakes have been eaten. The ballots have been counted. The results have been posted. Who dominated the LA Cupcake Challenge in 2011?

Best Traditional
1st Place
My Delight Cupcakery
Red Velvet



2nd Place
Hansen's Cakes
Bridal Cake



3rd Place
Double D Cupcake
Chocolate Zin



Best Original
1st Place
My Delight Cupcakery
Late Night Breakfast


2nd Place
Jus Mini's
Josephine



3rd Place
Friandise Pastries
Candied Sweet Potato



Best Overall
1st Place
My Delight Cupcakery
Late Night Breakfast



2nd Place
Friandise Pastries
Candied Sweet Potato



3rd Place
Jus Minis
Josephine

Congrats to all of the winners, especially My Delight Cupcakery, who swept all three categories. For the rest of the week I'll be highlighting each cupcake and baker. I will also be revealing my top picks at the LA Cupcake Challenge for 2011!