Date of excursion: 06.24.09
The hills are alive with the sound of … cupcakes.
After recuperating from learnin’-time (and an epic Cupcake Gang digitized-win), the Gang, once again, parted ways for the summer.
And thus we are brought to the second “abroad” entry of the Gang: this time, comin’ atchyoo from the lip-smackin’ streets of Choco-Choco Chip’s homeland, Pennsylvania (guest judgers Coconut Cream Pie and Bananas Foster presiding).
We arrived at Cupcakes Gourmet, stomachs a rumblin’ and a tumblin’. The environment was instantly a pleaser.
Choco-Choco Chip’s eyeballs fell on the floor upon viewing the glorious cupcake case. And after Coconut Cream Pie picked them up, it was time to get smackin’.
Whilst the trio tittered with excitement at the prospect of encroaching upon the tasty territory of said cupcakes, the showrunner of TCG*, Maki, greeted us with warm, frosting-coated hellos.
Feeling adventurous, Choco-Choco Chip, Coconut Cream Pie, and Bananas Foster knew it was their sacred mission for that day to not only represent the heart and soul of Pennsylvania** in their analysis, but to also do honor and justice to the sometimes-forgotten friend of the miniature-cupcake.
And so we began.
First up to plate***: White Chocolate Almond.
“It tastes like a Toasted Almond Good Humor bar — but more delicious and deep,” cooed Choco-Choco Chip, longingly.
It is presumed that Coconut Cream Pie and Bananas Foster agreed, but they were too engorged with sweet, sweet cake to properly respond. But it was noted that the cake was rich and moist, and the almond frosting was tasty, but not excessive.
See?!
Second up: Coconut Lime
“It’s got an escalating tickle of lime,” someone noted, positively.
Most likely due to the real lime juice used in the frosting! Can you say “daily serving of fruit?”
Third batter***: Dark Chocolate Mint
Did somebody say REMIX?
Presentation wise, Coconut Cream Pie became smitten with a new chocolate lover — the dark chocolate cake (new concept!). This cake was black as a jet engulfed in the night wrapped up in a black cat’s belly (and was far more delicious than any of those three elements combined). The mint served as a nice balance to this new dark chocolate, bitterly delightful friend of ours.
“A refreshin’ mint blast!” Choco-Choco Chip remarked.
Bananas Foster ducked and cowered at the intensity of truth in this statement.
And now, without any further ado — the MINIATURE CUPCAKES.
(Back row, left to right: Peanut Butter, Chocolate Vanilla, Triple Chocolate. Front row: Classic Vanilla, Lovely Lemon)
(Another angle.)
Fourth up: Chocolate Vanilla
Do not be misled by the name of this cupcake — we still have our good friend, the dark chocolate base, but with vanilla icing and a secret surprise of dark chocolate ganache on top!
Bananas Foster made the incision into the cupcake and barked that she could FEEL the ganache sinking into the cake as she cut. Now that’s one tasty sink.
What balanced flavors emerged from this cupcake! The bitterness, the sweetness! Like racial harmony in the mouth — or at least like a Sour Patch Kid.
“It’s very vanilla, but in a lovely way,” noted Choco-Choco Chip, most likely as an off-handed remark about other “Vanillas” we know. “It carried its own.” (Like Tim O’Brien.)
[Two babies, presumably chaperoning their mother, enter the store wearing matching dresses. The hilarity of this moment combined with the mintiness still lingering in our esophoguses, and the tasty swigs of milk we enjoyed, all combined to create a delightful Baby/Mint/Milk/Esophagus interlude.]
Fifth up: Lovely Lemon
Upon biting into L-squared, Coconut Cream Pie noted that the icing was quite intense (although it was less intense when combined with the correct proportion of cake). As an adjunct, Choco-Choco Chip noted that the cake was delightfully moist (as seemed to be a pattern in this cupcake establishment).
Although this may have ranked as the “lowest” of our cupcakes for the day, L-squared still proved to be as lovely as the name implies — and to top it off (literally), its icing packed a zesty punch that just wouldn’t quit!
Sixth up: Triple Chocolate
Blessed Zeus. If it can’t be determined by the name or appearance alone, then it’d have to be determined by the intense Bwoop-Bwoop-Bwoop face of our beloved Coconut Cream Pie. Enraptured by the scent, color, appearance, and finally, lingering and sultry taste of this dark chocolate base, milk chocolate icing, with dark chocolate ganache, Coconut Cream Pie had only this to say: “Transcendent joy in a cupcake.”
“I want to lick this from its head to its toes,” the trio concurred.
Seventh in the mix***: Peanut Butter
The special thing about this cupcake is just how light the frosting was, considering how heavy peanut butter itself is. And this light taste transcended the frosting and seeped within to the chocolate cake batter, making this cupcake certainly live up to its name in awesome-osity.
Eighth on the floor****: Classic Vanilla
What a way to end the day! With its nice, clean taste, this cupcake has no hidden secrets or agendas. Even Coconut Cream Pie, who tends to dislike yellow bases, had positive feelings about said cupcake. A triumph indeed!
And so, Good Friends, another cupcake adventure was completed. Battles were won (Triple Chocolate), battles were partially-lost (Lemon), but everyone feasted like Kings.
Everyone is a winner in Frazer, Pennsylvania.
Destroyed.
*By adding a simple “the” to “Cupcakes Gourmet”, it has the same acronym as the greatest baked-goods-eating gang that ever lived!
**Consists of cheesesteaks and Auntie Anne’s pretzels.
***Excellent cupcake puns.
****Not literal.
Hours and Locations:
Cupcakes Gourmet
288 Lancaster Ave
Malvern, PA 19355
484-318-8057 (Frazer bakery)
877-719-0140 (Website help)
Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm
Closed Sunday
The Cupcake Gang. Done. 