Icing on the Cake Bakery | Dessert Surveillance

Sep 28 2014

Banana Cake and Banana Cupcakes

Banana Peanut Butter Cupcake from Prairie Girl Bakery – Photo Courtesy of Prairie Girl Bakery (Toronto)

Since they’re available year-round, I take Bananas for granted. And while I really like Banana Cake and Banana Cupcakes, I think I take them for granted as well. So the time has come for me to give Banana Desserts their due.

Banana Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory – Photo Courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory

It’s not surprising that Bananas would find their way into Cake and Cupcakes. This tropical fruit is very versatile and pairs beautifully with Chocolate, Caramel, Rum, Coconut, and so much more.

Banana Split Cupcake from H Bake Shop – Photo Courtesy of H Bake Shop (NYC)

Interestingly, I came across many more Banana Cupcakes than Banana Cakes. Hmmm….are Cupcakes more popular than Cake, overall, or are Banana Cupcakes just more popular than Banana Cake? Further investigation, preferably involving the sampling of Banana Cake, is needed!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cupcake from For the Love of Cake – Photo Courtesy of For the Love of Cake (Toronto)

But regardless of which is more popular, people sure like their Banana Baked Goods — particularly when paired with a thick Cream Cheese frosting or rich fillings.

Banana Cake from Icing on the Cake Bakery – Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA)

Lynn Magnoli, owner of Los Gatos-based Icing on the Cake Bakery, said “Our fresh Banana Cake is our #1 selling Cake. It is well known and famous, with cream cheese icing,”

Banana Chocolate Cupcake from Prairie Girl Bakery – Photo Courtesy of Prairie Girl Bakery (Toronto)

Toronto-based Prairie Girl Bakery offers two “Everyday” Banana Cupcakes — a Banana Cupcake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing and a Banana Cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing (the more popular one). And some “Treats of the Week” (specials) feature Banana — such as a Banana Caramel Cupcake. As Orna Quinn, Prairie Girl Bakery’s Catering Manager, notes: “As these [Banana] Treats of the Week have been well received, we can imagine creating new treats that involve Banana.”

Sweet Elizabeth’s Cakes – Photo Courtesy of Sweet Elizabeth’s Cakes (Philadelphia)

Elizabeth Paradiso, co-creator of Philadelphia-based Sweet Elizabeth’s Cakes, explains: “Our Roasted Banana Cake is super popular! We make it seasonally, usually around Easter/Springtime and around deep wintertime. While the Cake is a hit, it’s not the most popular flavor we create. I think one of the draws of this Cake is the Nutella Buttercream we pair it with.”

Bananas Foster Cupcakes from NoRA Cupcake Company – Photo Courtesy of NoRA Cupcake Company – Middletown, CT

On the line-up at NoRA Cupcake Company (Middletown, CT): a Fat Elvis Cupcake (a Banana Cake filled with Marshmallow Fluff, topped with a peanut butter icing that is then rolled in candied bacon bits) and a Bananas Foster Cupcake (a Banana Cinnamon Sugar Cake, filled with Caramel, topped with a Vanilla Whipped Frosting that is drizzled with more Caramel as well as Pecans). Other Banana Cupcakes include a Choco Nutty Nana and a Banana Split. NoRA Cupcake’s Carrie Carella reports that the Fat Elvis is the most popular Banana Cupcake.

Espresso on Banana Cupcake from Butter Lane Bakery – Photo Courtesy of Butter Lane Bakery (NYC)

The Vanilla Cupcake is the most popular Cupcake at New York City-based Butter Lane Bakery, but owner Lisa Liu said that her favorites are the Banana Cupcakes.

Let’s hear it for Banana Cake and Banana Cupcakes!

Tagged Banana, Butter Lane Bakery, Icing on the Cake Bakery, NoRA Cupcake Company, Prairie Girl Bakery, Sweet Elizabeth's Cakes

Mar 09 2014

Carrot Cake

Extraordinary Carrot Cake from Extraordinary Desserts (San Diego, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Extraordinary Desserts

I like Carrot Cake. I really do.

But that doesn’t stop me from thinking that Carrot Cake is a bit like a chameleon. Since Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, Carrot Cake is sometimes viewed as a “health food.” And certainly some recipes for Carrot Cake call for modest amounts of oil or butter and sugar. (Perhaps they’re more Carrot Tea Loafs than Carrot Cakes). But traditional Carrot Cake is usually quite rich and sweet — and is often made even more delectable and decadent with a cream cheese frosting and filling. Yet even these rich Carrot Cakes are still covered by a “health food halo.” In fact, according to Sylvia Lovegren, author of Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads, in the 1970s especially, Carrot Cake was found at many health food restaurants.

Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes by Sylvia Weinstock with Kate Manchester – Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

And in keeping with the Jekyll & Hyde aspect of Carrot Cake, this “health food” is the centerpiece of many celebrations. A recipe for Carrot Cake appears in “Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes” by Sylvia Weinstock, noted wedding cake master baker and decorator.

So, how popular is Carrot Cake?

Carrot Cake from Buttercup Bake Shop (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Buttercup Bake Shop

Nathaly Abreu, Director of Operations for New York City-based Buttercup Bake Shop said “Our Carrot Cake has gotten more popular through the years. It seems to be that one Cake that everyone comes in asking for. We do make Carrot Cupcakes for special order and if there are extras, we do sell them to our walk-in customers. Seems to me that Carrot Cake is giving Red Velvet Cake a run for the money.” (Also see the Dessert Surveillance posting on Red Velvet Cake.)

A Slice of Super Chunky Carrot Cake from Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery

According to Lynn Magnoli, owner of Icing on the Cake Bakery in Los Gatos, California, “Carrot Cake has been on the Icing on the Cake Bakery menu since day one, 29 years now. It has not lost popularity.” It’s the Bakery’s third most popular Cake (behind Fresh Banana and Chocolate Buttermilk). Known officially as Super Chunky Carrot, this Carrot Cake is studded with raisins and walnuts.

Cookies from Renaissance Confections (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Renaissance Confections

Renaissance Confections, based in New York City, is known for its Carrot Cake. Renaissance’s founder, Debonda Kay, also thinks Carrot Cake is becoming more popular. “It seems to be everyone’s favorite Cake, and customers can’t get enough of it in any form. We do sell Carrot Cake Cookies — regular ones as well as gluten-free, fat-free and vegan.” Renaissance Confections also sells Carrot Cupcakes.

Two Varieties of Carrot Cupcakes from Carrot Cake by Mike (Orange Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting and Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting) – Photo Courtesy of Carrot Cake by Mike (Seattle, WA)

Mike of Seattle-based Carrot Cake by Mike also thinks Carrot Cake is becoming more popular. “When I started this adventure I thought there would be a small cult following of Carrot Cake purists, but I am amazed at how many people tell me that Carrot Cake is their absolute favorite Cake…” He reports that his most popular Carrot Cake is the 8″ Double Layer Round Cake. “I find that the majority of our individual orders are to families wanting to celebrate the birthday of the Carrot Cake connoisseur of the group. Our 8″ Cake is perfect for 10 – 12 servings and when you make it a double layer those servings are quite generous.” Of the various frosting varieties, the Traditional Cream Cheese frosting is definitely the most popular but people also request the Lemon Cream Cheese frosting and the Coconut Cream Cheese frosting.

Carrot Cake-cup from Bee’s Knees Baking Co. (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Bee’s Knees Baking Co.

Carrot Cake doesn’t have to look like Carrot Cake. New York City-based Bee’s Knees Baking Co. creates portable Cakes, known as Cake-cups. A Carrot Cake-cup is on the menu and Billy Mayer of Bee’s Knees said that spring brings increased demand for the Carrot variety.

I think it’s time for a slice of “healthy” Carrot Cake!

Tagged Bee's Knees Baking Co., Buttercup Bake Shop, Carrot Cake, Carrot Cake Cookies, Icing on the Cake Bakery, Renaissance Confections

Feb 23 2014

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Scotchie Cookie from Schmackary’s Cookies (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of Schmackary’s Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies aren’t showy or glamorous. And in a Cookie tray I suspect they’re often passed over for Brownies or Chocolate Chip Cookies. (I’d actually lunge for the Oatmeal Cookie, but not if the alternatives involved White Chocolate Chunks or Chips.)

I wanted to find out what varieties of Oatmeal Cookies are available and how loyal a following they have. Here’s the Oatmeal Cookie roundup:

Bluebird Bakers’ Browned Butter Oatmeal Cookies (Portland, OR) – Photo Courtesy of Bluebird Bakers

Chickie Massa, of Bluebird Bakers in Portland, Oregon, notes: “Our Browned Butter Oatmeal is our second most popular Cookie, coming right on the heels of our Chocolate Chunk with Sea Salt. We probably sell close to 1500 of them a week, between our wholesale and retail outlets. It is and will be the only Oatmeal Cookie that we offer because I just don’t think I could come up with another one that would be as popular! I don’t know if Oatmeal Cookies are increasing in popularity overall, but demand for the Browned Butter Oatmeal that we make has increased at a steady pace over the years.”

Lark Cake Shop (Los Angeles, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Lark Cake Shop

Three Oatmeal Cookies are in the lineup at Lark Cake Shop in Los Angeles: Cranberry Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal, and Golden Oatmeal. The most popular? Golden Oatmeal.

Anzac Cookies (with Chef Timers) from Icing on the Cake Bakery (Los Gatos, CA) – Photo Courtesy of Icing on the Cake Bakery

Icing on the Cake Bakery in Los Gatos, California offers an assortment of Oatmeal Cookies: an Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts Cookie, an Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookie, an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, an Anzac Cookie, and an Oatmeal Raisin Cream Sandwich Cookie. Lynn Magnoli, owner of Icing on the Cake, said that Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts is her most popular Oatmeal Cookie. It’s classic and a top seller, and always has been. When I asked about the popularity of Oatmeal, Lynn remarked “The great thing about Oatmeal is the texture. It will always be a staple ingredient of classic American baked goods.”

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from Nielsen’s Pastries (Seattle, WA) – Photo Courtesy of Nielsen’s Pastries

At Nielsen’s Pastries in Seattle, Washington, Oatmeal fans can chose between an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and a Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie. Purists can rejoice—the Oatmeal Raisin is more popular.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from August First Bakery (Burlington, VT) – Photo Courtesy of August First Bakery

Jodi Whalen of August First Bakery in Burlington, Vermont replies: “Our Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is very popular and we find that there is a population of people who really, really love them. We actually haven’t thought about trying other varieties, but now that you mention it, it might be worth a go (White Chocolate & Cherry?). I haven’t seen an upswing or trend in Oatmeal Cookies here in Vermont. However, we do sell a lot of homemade granola (hot, cold, and by the pound) and our new Apple Crisp, topped with our granola, flies off the shelf. So yes, maybe there is a rise in Oat consumption?”

Oatmeal Cookies (center) from Rosie's Bakery (MA) - Photo Courtesy of Rosie's Bakery

Oatmeal Cookies (center) from Rosie’s Bakery (Massachusetts) – Photo Courtesy of Rosie’s Bakery

Judy Rosenberg of Massachusetts-based Rosie’s Bakery, said the Oatmeal Cookie is very popular. Although it’s made with all natural ingredients, she’s trying out a healthier version with whole grain flour, coconut oil instead of butter, and turbinado sugar instead of regular sugar. Judy thinks a key trend is finding ways to make healthier (but still delicious) versions of our favorite treats.

Schmackary’s Cookies in New York, NY – Photo Courtesy of Schmackary’s Cookies

New York City-based Schmackary’s Cookies is no stranger to Oatmeal Cookies. Flavors are rotated and current Oatmeal offerings include an Oatmeal Scotchie and a Chunky Monkey. Other Oatmeal flavors include: Caramel Apple Crisp; Blueberry Cobbler; Yogi Bare (vegan & gluten-free); White Chocolate Cherry Chunker; and Red, White and Blue. The most popular Oatmeal Cookie? The Oatmeal Scotchie. Zachary Schmahl, Owner/Creator/Cookie Master, explained “Oatmeal Cookies are definitely an area where I’ve been focusing my energy lately on coming up with more flavors.”

Cookies from OatMeals (NYC) – Photo Courtesy of OatMeals

OatMeals, in New York City, is an Oatmeal bar. In addition to bowls of Oatmeal, the cafe also sells baked goods made with Oatmeal. These Oatmeal Cookies are sold every day: Lemon Ginger Oatmeal; Old Fashioned Iced Oatmeal; Chocolate Chip Oatmeal; Classic Oatmeal Raisin; and Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal. The two favorite Cookies are the Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal and the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. Samantha Stephens, Chef/Owner of OatMeals said “I think Oatmeal is having a revival/resurgence and I’m happy to be spearheading a lot of this movement.”

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Uncle Chip’s (Washington D.C.) – Photo Courtesy of Uncle Chips

An Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is on the menu at Uncle Chip’s in Washington D.C. Shannon of Uncle Chip’s mentioned that people “are surprised by how much they like Oatmeal Raisin once they try it. Some of them stick with it, too. I think a lot of what people eat has to do with habits and what they did as children. I had one customer this morning who told me he’s just always been an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie eater and there’s no other way.”

Captain Cookie & the Milkman Logo (Washington D.C.) – Image Courtesy of Captain Cookie & the Milkman

Who says you have to walk into a bakery or a restaurant to satisfy your fix for Oatmeal Cookies? Captain Cookie & the Milkman, in Washington D.C., operates Cookie, Ice Cream, and Milk trucks. The Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is a big draw and some people come to the trucks for that Cookie only. Oatmeal Cookie specials include Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin with Black Pepper. When customers order Oatmeal Raisin Ice Cream Sandwiches they most often order Vanilla or Black Cherry Ice Cream as the filling for their Sandwiches.

A Salted Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from Sweet Wheels (Seattle, WA) – Photo Courtesy of Sweet Wheels

Sweet Wheels also sells handmade ice cream sandwiches through a truck. You can get Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Oatmeal Cookies. And the Salted Oatmeal Sandwiches are quite popular with the regulars. Ron of Sweet Wheels says “When people read the menu without having had our Ice Cream Sandwiches, they often choose sandwiches with Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies. However, when people are returning customers, with some experience eating our Sandwiches, then the Salted Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich is first.”

I had no idea there were so many varieties of Oatmeal Cookies! Clearly, I need to expand my horizons!

Tagged August First Bakery, Bluebird Bakers, Captain Cookie & the Milkman, Icing on the Cake Bakery, Lark Cake Shop, Nielsen's Pastries, Oatmeal Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Rosie's Bakery, Schmackary's Cookies, Sweet Wheels, Uncle Chip's

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Tag Archives: Icing on the Cake Bakery

Banana Cake and Banana Cupcakes

Carrot Cake