FingerSweets Supports LLS &TNT

After returning from a fantastic vacation over the holidays I wanted to keep my adventurous side going so I joined Team In Training (TNT) to do my very first triathlon. What's even better is I am doing this by raising money to find a cure for cancer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
I am preparing to compete in the 31st Wildflower Triathlon! In May, I will embark on a 1.5k (.93mi) Swim, 40k (24.9mi) Bike, 10k (6.2mi) Run at Lake San Antonio in Monterey County! I will raise $2,900 for LLS and FingerSweets will be assisting me from time to time on this journey. 

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, tomorrow night my TNT teammates will be graced with the delicious Coconut Rum and Peanut Butter Jelly mini cupcakes. Will we care to indulge in 2, 4, or even 6...not at all! 

Keep an eye out for more FingerSweets promotions.

Iron Cupcake Exotic Challenge Results!

Last night’s challenge was a winner! 

Next to Mango Tango and Mango Lassi FingerSweets’ Chocolate Salted Licorice was the only chocolate mini on the table. With very few entries the Chocolate Salted Licorice was placed best among the Bakers and also received the Judge's Choice award presented by Devin McDavid, executive pastry chef of Quince and Cotogna restaurants.

Let’s see what turns up in next month’s alcohol challenge.

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

Unique, Different, and Exotic are the name of the game this month for the Iron Cupcake Challenge.

FingerSweets brings the exotic level of creativity to the public on a regular basis and this month it is the Salted Black Licorice at Miette that has taste buds salivating. FingerSweets’ spin on the Salted Black Licorice in cupcake form is Chocolate Salted Licorice.

The Chocolate Salted Licorice mini offers a chocolate licorice cake with a vanilla bean licorice frosting sprinkled with Fluer de Sel and topped with a slice of Panda licorice.

The subtle licorice flavor paired with chocolate and salt is a combination I have never experienced, have you?

Check back for the results.

Iron Cupcake Citrus Challenge Results!

Lots of orange, a little lemon, and a lime were just some of the hits in tonight’s challenge. 

FingerSweets’ Almond Orange was delightful, tasty, and for me personally a bit dreamy but with the tough competition this mini was to the side for the winners. Orange Creamsicle was a favorite among the ten bakers tonight while Strawberry Lemonade, Blood Orange Margarita, and Chocolate Orange Cardamom hit the spot as a few other yummy entries in the challenge.  

Come see what turns up next month in the challenge theme Exotic.

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

Iron Cupcake SF has heated up and it’s time to sit back, relax, and refresh with this month’s citrus challenge.

FingerSweets is showcasing the complimentary blend of citrus and nuts in an Almond Orange cupcake. This mini brings together the flavors in an almond orange cake with an orange vanilla bean frosting enhanced with a tinge of Grand Mariner and decorated with toasted, crushed almonds. 

The Almond Orange mini is sure to be a refreshing treat.

Keep checking back as results will be revealed.

Iron Cupcake Honey Challenge Results!

It’s been one and a half years participating at the Iron Cupcake SF and I have to say tonight’s event was the most unique and memorable of all.

With only a few bakers, Liz and Will’s positive energy kept the evening going on an uplifting note. They rallied and regrouped leaving the cupcake judging to the professionals.

Professionals, yes, that is right. The Leland Tea Company welcomed Mission Minis, Owner, Brandon Arnovick and Head Baker, Veronica Sanchez to judge the honey creations.

What an honor it was to have Brandon and Veronica comment specifically on my Jalapeno Honey Corn mini cupcake. To my surprise, they loved the mini and voted for it as the 1^st place winner!

Thanks to all my regular taste testers at Marta Fry Landscape Associates, Sagan Piechota Architecture, Build Inc., Macy Architecture, and Kelly Macy Creative.

Keep checking in as the next challenge is Citrus!

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

Do you hear the buzz, I hear the buzz, It’s honey time!

The sweet food made by bees is this month’s challenge and FingerSweets is bringing something that makes you want to take these minis to the park for a bbq.

Jalapeno Honey Corn is today's entry. 
A sweet honey corn cake with a honey jalapeno cream cheese frosting.  
This will be sure to give you a mild kick.

The sweet and heat are a tasty balance. Let’s see if the judges agree.

Stay Tuned…

Iron Cupcake Brunch Challenge Results!

Breakfast for dinner, that’s how the Iron Cupcake Challenge felt tonight.

This month few bakers entered the challenge but the result was a spread covering all brunch favorites. FingerSweets’ Streusel Spice Crumb was up against some very uniquely combined flavors like Jewish Deli (smoked salmon & chive pound cupcake), Chicken & Waffles (a tasty combination so many of us have grown to love), and Salted Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks in cupcake form) that unfortunately the inspired crumb cake remained as just a side item.

Next up, the challenge is Honey!

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge

It’s Monday and Iron Cupcake SF is making the weekend feel just a wee bit longer with this month’s Brunch inspired challenge.

Who doesn’t like the taste of a sweet, cinnamon, nutty morning treat? It doesn't get better than having this tiny bit of a heaven anytime of the day. FingerSweets’ Streusel Spice Crumb will be one you can eat over and over again.

The streusel spice cake with a lightly drizzled glaze is the perfect amount of sweet to get the day started or ended.

Let’s see how this mini stands up to other brunch time favorites.

Iron Cupcake Aphrodisiac Challenge Results!

The Iron Cupcake SF Challenge was a love affair that lasted only a few hours. The combinations were hot and sweet.

FingerSweets’ Banana Chocolate Chip was boosted with a double dose of aphrodisiac flavors yet was surpassed by many HOT tastes.  Red Hot Velvet and Hell Fire Apple had everyone on fire but In the Mood and Drunken Chocolate Cherry balanced the crowd out. 

March is up next with Brunch inspired cupcakes. Stay Tuned!

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

Aphrodisiac: a substance that increases sexual desire.

Want to keep your sexual desire going, check out this aphrodisiac challenge and see if the combinations will have you on the road to love. FingerSweets is going strong with a double combination deal, Banana Chocolate Chip. 

This Banana Chocolate Chip mini is composed of a banana chocolate chip cake, a classy creamy dark chocolate frosting, and topped with a banana chip to add that perfect crunch. 

Let’s see if this double sexual combination takes the lead!

Iron Cupcake Black & White Challenge Results!

Fancy Smancy, this formal Black & White Iron Cupcake SF Challenge was an upscale affair. Minis were dressed to impress with many oreo inspired ideas and a monotone coconut delight. 

FingerSweets’ Chocolate Cream danced the dance but unfortunately did not shine when it came to Hostess with the Mostess, Baach and White, What a Hoot, and Coconut Man.

We’ll see what happen next in February for the Aphrodisiac challenge.

What combinations would you like to see for this inspired love cupcake?

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

It’s a new year and the Iron Cupcake SF challenge is kicking off a formal Black & White theme.

FingerSweets is putting its best foot forward with a Chocolate Cream mini. With a simple twist to the cupcake filling this mini takes that hostess cupcake flavor and transforms it with sophistication.

The Chocolate Cream mini is composed of a chocolate cake with a special cream filling, a thin layer of chocolate ganache and a dollop of cream filling to finish its the aesthetic appearance.

Check back and see if this simple mini will place in tonight’s challenge.

Iron Cupcake Bake Off Challenge Results!

Packed full of fun, this month the Iron Cupcake SF Challenge had seventeen bakers. The range of minis was broad with Maple Bacon, Mexican Chocolate Cake, and even a couple tasty vegan options – Lavender with Lemonzest and Chocolate Peppermint with Eggnog.

The FingerSweets mini, Mallow Chocolate Graham, was wiped clean however this upscale s’mores cupcake was unable to move up the ranks with such other great delights competing side by side.

We’ll see what develops in January with the unique theme of White.

Any ideas what kind of white cupcake you would make?

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

It’s the last Iron Cupcake SF Challenge of the year and it’s a Bake Off.  Now is the time to bring out our best, our signature cupcakes or in FingerSweets’ case a first place favorite.

Mallow Chocolate Graham (a.k.a S’mores)!

This cupcake was a favorite amongst the attendees of the Iron Cupcake Challenge last February and was the most popular mini for many months throughout the year. 

This upscale version of the campfire treat brings together a graham cracker cake, thick chocolate ganache filling and thin layer on top, finished with a homemade marshmallow frosting, and torched to get that toasted yummy taste.

Will the Mallow Chocolate Graham be a winner in the Bake Off…stay tuned!

Iron Cupcake Spice/Herb Challenge Results!

Savory and Spicy cupcakes took the stage and few such as Mexican Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon Horchata made their way into the winning circle. 

Traditional and tasty FingerSweets' Spiced Carrot was ranked most creative amongst the judges. This is a first time for FingerSweets win most creative - Way to Go!

Next challenge is the annual Bake Off where it’s time to bring on your signature cupcake. Any guesses what will be FingerSweets signature cupcake of 2011?

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

The holidays are upon us and it’s time to spice it up!

Bring on the spice or herb infused cupcakes and let’s get the festivities started!   

FingerSweets went with a traditional favorite – Spiced Carrot. 

While a traditional and seemingly easy flavor to pull off it still took four test batches. Finally, in the end the result was a perfect entry for this month’s spice challenge. The Spiced Carrot mini brings a spice filled cake with textured carrot throughout, topped with a traditional cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with toasted pecans.

Let’s see if spice is key to life (or just the night) at this month’s challenge.

Watch for results!

Iron Cupcake Candy Challenge Results!

Time to brush the teeth and visit the dentist! Tonight’s challenge was very very sweeeeet!

A small sampling but a tasty outcome. Cupcake candies such as Caramel Apple and Candy Cap Mushroom made their way into the winning circle but most unique in my opinion was Dutch Salty Licorice. The taste was salty black licorice but combined with some sugar the balance of salty and sweet was surprisingly good.

Almond Joy or in this case Chocolate Coconut Almond made it's mark coming in at 2nd place.

Let's see what comes up next month with Herbs/Spices for the November Challenge.

Iron Cupcake SF Challenge!

Trick or Treat!

Let’s have something sweet to eat…CUPCAKES!

Candy inspired cupcakes!  FingerSweets is bringing the all time favorite candy Almond Joy into the world of cupcakes. Tonight’s mini entry is Chocolate Coconut Almond.

The candy challenge could have gone one of two ways, using candy as an ingredient OR using the candy as inspiration to create it as cupcake.  I opted for the later and came up with a chocolate coconut cake with that signature, sticky, yummy coconut filling as the center, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache and sprinkled with toasted crushed almonds.

Let’s see how this cupcake will be received and compared to the Almond Joy candy.

Stay tuned for the results!

Iron Cupcake Coffee/Tea Challenge Results!

It was a tasty competition tonight at Leland Tea with flavors varying from coffee concoctions such as Pumpkin Spice Latte and Caramel Mocha Chino to lighter specialties such as My Chai and Lady Grey Almond.

Strong in flavor and smooth in taste, FingerSweets’ Espresso Chocolate took 2^nd place.

It’s onto Candy for the next Iron Cupcake Challenge.