In the short span of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Stephen and I were in downtown Bethlehem, PA and decided to see if the new "cupcake" shop was open. Do you know the place? Well, let's just say we've been waiting for this lovely shop to open and we were pleasantly surprised that particular day!
Yes....it is "Sugar Babe" and Angela Malpedo is the owner of this quaint cupcake store located on 14 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. I will tell you it was quite hard to decide which delicious cupcake to try:) Stephen and I both bought a rich, dark chocolate cupcake with a perfect peanut butter buttercream which was topped with "the" tastiest mini peanut butter cookie...did I say the interior had a .....yes....peanut butter filling!
We, of course, forced ourselves to wait until after dinner, perfectly seated on our living room sofa, to enjoy our "find". The rule is.....you must eat your treat with your eyes closed...so as to get the full experience of this most tempting confection:)
The truth is.....there are SO MANY cupcakes out there. We've tried many and honestly, you WILL NOT FIND A BETTER CUPCAKE anywhere in the Lehigh Valley. Those in the baking industry understand that people "eat with their eyes first", so the confection must be eye-appealing initially. Of course, the ingredients must be fresh and of good quality. Angela knows this quite well. Her cupcakes are beautiful, chic, delicious and "cleanly" presented. What I mean by "cleanly" is their appearance is top notch - perfectly iced and designed. You automatically know that it will be delicious before tasting it because of the attention and care she puts into her presentation. We are bakers who think along the same lines. "Care" is the catalyst to becoming well known and in demand. She is genuine and her cupcakes reflect that trait.
So...make it a point to stop into her lovely shop! "Sugar Babe" is located at 14 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa 18018 and their phone# is: 610.462.8050. Their website is: http://www.sugarbabecupcakes.com.
Much continued success is wished for you, Angela!
Blessings,
Christine
We know what we like when we see it, but sometimes coming up with the "idea" is much more difficult. I feel that way about designing a room in our home. I know by magazine pictures what I would love to see in one of our rooms, but can't seem to put it together on my own. This is a difficult task for me to do - come up with ideas when it comes to decorating.....
But not when it comes to cookies! I love the challenge of new ideas, designs that are pleasing to the eye as well as delicious in the mouth:) I am an avid "researcher" when it comes to my cookies - always looking for new ideas, designs, flavors. Sometimes the articles and pictures I peruse are not even cookie-related. They may be articles on teas, coffees, cupcakes, etc. that spark an idea in my mind. So....off to the kitchen I go, baking and "testing" the new item. You know, of course, my sweet husband Stephen is one of my testers:) He kindly eats the ones I "break" as well!
Here is an idea adapted from a Japanese pastry chef. I altered her technique, as I found it to be cumbersome and time-consuming. I call them "Swirly Design" French Macarons, but I'm sure there is a more creative name out there somewhere:) They require just a little more work than normal, so the price per dozen is $15.00 vs. the "classic" typical macaron which is $12.00. Just one more way to add a little sparkle to your order.
Some ideas on when to buy them? Order a red and white swirl for Christmas (or any color for that matter). I think they also go well with a spring/summer birthday party for children. I'm sure there are more ideas, but these are just a few. And please ask about other colors I can use to produce these swirly confections!
Please place your order for Christmas and the holidays soon! I get booked very quickly and already have Christmas orders scheduled.
Blessings,
Christine
