I don't want to be a cliche.

Cupcakes.  When I think of cupcakes I think of...well I didn't think that much, because up until 6 months ago I didn't eat them.  You are probably thinking, "Why on earth would you have a blog about cupcakes, when you aren't an expert?"  Let me assure you, that moving to New York City has made me more than an expert.  You have Crumbs, Magnolia, Burgers and Cupcakes, etc.  They are everywhere!  It is the newest fad.  Food Network even has a new show completely devoted to the small sin.  I consider myself the Christopher Columbus of cupcakes.  I am on a journey.  A journey to find out what all the craze is about.  To push the boundaries.  To find out more about myself.  To further my intense love and passion for those tiny little morsels of goodness, people call cupcakes.

It all started when I was working at my first job in New York City. The restaurant was 2 minutes away from my apartment, had delicious food and it doesn't get more convenient than that.  Stellas was a wonderful place to work, had delicious food and some of my greatest friends in the Big Apple.  Anyway, I was working behind the bar during a birthday and some of our regulars brought out cupcakes, and told me that I had to try them.  They were from Made Fresh Daily, which is across the street.  It was the Tahitian vanilla cupcake, with their signature cream cheese frosting, garnished with pink sea salt that started it all.  Salt is my best friend, and if presented with the choice between salty or sweet, I am a shoe in for salty.  However, as I have reached the ripe age of 22, I am developing more of a sweet tooth (UGH!...YAY!) and these demons in a baking cup did NOT help.   I almost died.  Salt on a cupcake...NOW we're talking!  I'm not even sure that I can explain what happened next.  YUMMMMMM (hence the name of this blog)!!!   I took one bite, against my better judgment, and kind of fell in love.

My biggest problem with cake, and I never even had one for a birthday, was the icing.    Why would you want 2 pounds of sugar on top of bread?  It just didn't make since in my mind (crazy, right?).  BUT let me tell you, the Made Fresh Daily cupcakes were anything but that, and have changed my mind about cupcakes forever.  Their cream cheese frosting is like sticking a block of cream cheese in your mouth, and I mean that in the best way.   I was determined to go to Made Fresh Daily the next day and compliment the chef...and get another cupcake of course.  Seeing as everything is "made fresh daily," they are constantly changing their flavors, I left disappointed.  I walked out the door and made a right towards the grocery store.

Needless to say, I created my version of this heavenly dessert, and just the way I liked it.  Ever since then, I have made them for every occasion, and continue to find new ways to improve upon my baking skills.  I am NOT a baker.  It is too precise for me.  I like to taste and add as I go.  So here is my next point.  Why do cupcakes have to be sweet?  There should be more savory cupcakes in the world, and I am going to create them!

Now to the point of this blog.  I survived my first year in NYC (whew!) and through ever evolving discoveries of food, I believe that this is the best way I can truly bring my love and passion to people outside of my apartment :)  The Goal: To create and perfect a new cupcake flavor every week through the end of the year.  Within this goal, I plan on providing everyone with my recipes and tips that help a non-baker truly become established with a mixer and an oven.  We can become bakers together!

I don't want to be a cliche.  I have no desire to be Julie Powell of the Julie/Julia Project.  I just want an outlet of expression for my food, which I happen to think is pretty damn good.  Everyone can be an amazing cook, you just have to have the desire to push yourself, and push your creative limits past a box of "Funfetti".  This is me pushing my boundaries.  I am not trained, unless you count the kitchens of a mother and father who are amazing southern cooks, which means that we can do this together.  Once I post my recipes, try them at home, and let me know what suggestions you have.  Food blogging has become a new profession.  Its so popular, and its new to me, but I am genuinely excited to get going!!!

I went a little over board this week, but I really wanted to start out with a bang, so here are 8 new yum cakes!

This week:

"Strawberry Fields Forever" - Vanilla cake, with a fresh strawberry whipped frosting, garnished with a sliced strawberry

"Sip of Sweet Tea" - Sweet tea cupcake, with a whipped tea frosting and garnished with a sugar crusted lemon slice

"Cup o' Joe" - Coffee cupcake soaked in a coffee syrup, topped with fresh whipped topping, and drizzled with more coffee syrup

"I'll have the French toast and bacon" - French Toast cupcake with bacon, topped with a whipped cream cheese frosting and more crumbled bacon

"What's up Doc?" - Light carrot cake batter, with tons of fresh carrot, topped with my cream cheese frosting and garnished with shaved carrot

"Banana Split" - Fresh banana cupcake, topped with fresh whipped topping, chocolate syrup with a cherry on top

"Taste of Italy" -  Vanilla cupcake with a panna cotta center, topped with red wine frosting and garnished with a whole strawberry

"High Society" - Champagne pear cupcake with a Brie cheese frosting, garnished with a slice of juicy pear

**Check the recipe archive for full recipes