SUSIE CAKES CUPCAKE REVIEW

My search for the Best Cupcakes in So Cal brought me to Susie Cakes located at 2043 Westcliff Dr. in Newport Beach.

As we, my sister Maureen and I, walked up to the front door, read the chalkboard sign and was excited to try one of the flavors of the month.

I loved the logo and felt the entrance was very cute and welcoming. It doesn't show in my picture but they even have a water bowl out front in case you brought your dog.

Before heading over the cupcake section we stopped to ohh and aww the cake section. They looked good.

But, we were on the search for the best cupcake not best cake. So we checked out the selection of cupcakes to pick from.

I have to admit I wasn't thrilled over them, like I was with the cakes. They didn't look like much more then the kind of cupcakes you would find at a bake sale at a school or church.

I was expecting to find something like the other cupcake shops I have reviewed that made all the cupcakes look very pretty.

So, the looks department let me down.

I asked the girl who helped us, what was her favorite cupcake. She said she didn't have a favorite. I asked if the white chocolate with fresh strawberries inside was good. She said "ya". I then asked if it was better then the regular strawberry and she said "I think so".

So, I got the white chocolate with fresh strawberries and buttercream icing. We also got a chocolate with chocolate icing as I was requested to do so by one of my readers who loves chocolate cupcakes.

As we were getting rung up, I turned around and noticed a box with ribbon on it. There was a sign that said you had to pay $1.50 for gift wrap.

I thought it was nice you could get a ribbon put on the box. A nice touch if you were bringing cupcakes to someone as a hostess gift.

They also had several other items there. Lots of fun candles and these darling little boxes filled with matches. Pricey but cute.

Some note cards and other items. I thought they were a nice touch to offer. It's always nice to have things in case you are bringing the cupcakes to someone as a gift or thank you and you want a little something else.

Then we were handed our cupcakes. In a bag! What!!! How could they possibly think a cupcake would be OK in a bag? I hated that. Cupcakes need to be in a box.

No one wants to buy a cupcake only to have it smashed up by the time you get it to the person or location you going.

I guess if you don't want your cupcakes mashed up you need to pay extra for the box with the ribbon.

We just stepped outside and sat down at a table. You can see it was already smashed up against the sides of the bag. Points off for the bag and presentation!

The size of the cupcakes were pretty small. They were like the cupcakes you would get if you made them from a box at home. Perhaps they were super rich and you only needed a smaller portion?

The icing was pretty soft and almost melted too. Plus, it looked like they were iced with a butter knife and not swirled on like you expect from a bakery.

Again, making it not such a nice presentation.

When I cut open the White Chocolate with fresh strawberries I noticed icing was pumped into the center of the cupcake as well as on top. Since I'm a big icing lover I thought this was a good thing.

The fresh strawberries looked more like frozen. Pretty mushy. I couldn't wait to try it though. I LOVE white chocolate and I love fresh strawberries!

Then I took a bite. That is when I knew I really didn't like this cupcake at all.

It was not fully cooked or something. Perhaps the icing and strawberries? I'm not sure. It was like glue. Not moist. Just like 1/2 cooked dough or something.

The flavor wasn't good either. We were very let down.

But, we still had the chocolate cupcake to try. Our hopes were high. I've never had a bad chocolate cupcake before.

I took a bite. My heart sunk. It tasted like a store brand cake mix was used for the cupcake and an off brand canned icing

I'm sorry to say, there IS such a thing as a bad chocolate cupcake. I just found it.

Now, I am not a picky person when it comes to anything sweet. Heck, I even love Hostess Ding Dongs and Little Debbie's cakes.

However, these cupcakes were so bad, we both felt they were not good enough to even continue to eat them. So we tossed them out. That is a first for me!

Tossing out a cupcake is not something I would normally do.

I'm so surprised this shop is still open. They have other locations in some of the high price areas here in So Cal.

With all the great cupcake places out there I don't know why anyone would want to pay $3.00 for one of these cupcakes.

Normally, I always bring one or two home with me for my sister, Patty. I like to get her review too. But, these were so bad, I didn't even bother.

Perhaps their cakes are better? Maybe I was there on an off day? I don't know. I do know, I have no desire to go back to try a cake or see if the cupcakes have gotten better. There are to many great cupcakes shops out there to bother.

I was very sad to have to write this review and wasn't even sure if I should. But, I felt I owed it to my readers to post both good and bad reviews of my findings.

What this taste test did do was, make me more excited to continue my search. After going to two great cupcakes shops, Frostings and The Perfect Circle Cupcakery, I was worried they were all going to so great I wouldn't be able to pick my favorite.

Now I know, not all cupcakes are created equal. So, the search will continue.

If you have a favorite cupcake shop or are the owner of a cupcake shop and you would like me to review those cupcakes, please let me know.

IT'S TIME TO HIT UP THE BEACH!!

One of my favorite places to go walk is at the beach. Each season has it's perks.

I love the winter when it's chilly out, a bit grey and very quiet at the beach.

I love Spring when the weather is perfect out. Not hot, but still warm. The stores are starting to open up. The rental signs are slowly coming down as they houses are rented out.

Fall is a great time to walk at the beach. Hardly a person to be found but every now and then you pass another walker. The breeze brings the smells from the Ocean to you and you are often alone with only your thoughts.

But, come Summer... Well, the beach comes alive. People every where. Sounds of laughter fill the air. The sand fills up with bright colored umbrellas and families. Young lovers walk along hand in hand.

Today was the last day of school here. So the beach was filled with young people gathering, talking and planning what they will be doing all summer.

Most people were still supporting their white Winter bodies. Soon to be a gold brown.



The Life Guards were back, protecting everyone and making sure everyone stays safe.

As we, my sister Maureen and I, walked from The Newport Beach Pier to the Balboa Beach Pier, I fully enjoyed the view.

Oh come on! I may be old but I'm not blind. This young 20 something was just what I needed to keep up my desire to walk from one city to the next.

I enjoyed looking at all the pretty houses too. Yes, that is one house, right on the beach. Oh if only my dreams could come true...

I loved how so many of the houses have huge windows that open up and bring the outdoors in. Or should I say, the indoors out.

I loved the copper on top of this house with the weathered green patina.

I have to admit, walking from Newport Beach to Balboa was a great walk. I enjoyed every minute of it.

However, when we turned around and started to walk back it seemed much further. We couldn't even see the pier at Newport Beach.

So, when we finally made it back to where we had parked, I was happy to be able to sit down and rest.

I looked it up and was surprised to see it's a 6 mile walk that we did.

Hey, I think I just proved to myself that exercise doesn't have to be bad. It can be very enjoyable. I just can't think of it as exercise.

Summer is a perfect time for us to get outdoors, get some fresh air, see some nice things and get our bodies moving. You won't even notice you are really doing nothing more then exercise!

I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!!!

For the past few months I have not really been following the Weight Watcher plan like I used to.

I was doing really well. I lost almost 50 lbs and then I got off track. Seemed like I couldn't get back on plan for more then a week.

My weight would go up a pound and then I would lose a pound. This went on and on for almost four months. Thankfully, I didn't gain all my weight back.

I think the only thing that was my saving grace is I never stopped going to the meetings. So, when I saw a gain, I lost it quickly.

But, now I'm ready to get back to work to lose the rest of my weight. No more yo yo, up and down for me.

I started last week and at weigh in today I was down 1.2 lbs.

Summer time is a great time for watching what we eat. With all the great fresh fruit and vegetables in the stores now, many great meals and snacks can be made with little to no effort.

Getting outside to walk, bike ride, hike or swim is part of what makes summer fun. The days are longer so we can fit in more exercise time.

I met a wonderful lady who reads my blog. Her name is Claire and she told me how much I had inspired her to lose weight. I had no idea. I actually thought no one really cared or even read my weight loss posts.

But, I know several of you do. You told me in comments, posts and phone calls.

So, I'm going to start back to posting my weekly weigh ins. Tues posts will be about getting healthy. Either a post about food, diet or exercise.

I know Claire is going on this journey with me. How about you? Would you like to join us. We are going to do this one month at a time. After all, 30 days just fly by when you think about it. Then at the end of the 30 days you can decide if you want to continue on another month.

The way I see it is we are 1/2 way through this year. The end of the year is coming. When it's New Years I can either be at the same weight I am now, gain weight or lose weight. I really want to have lost weight.

It's not going to happen on it's own. I have to make it happen. I know I can because I've done it before. I know you can too!

I am the type that needs to be accountable to someone. That is why I go to the meetings to weigh in. That is why I'm going to post here.

How about you? What kind of dieter are you? Are you better off doing it on your own, following your own plan? Or, are you like me and need to be held accountable?

I'm going back to writing everything I eat down. I'm going to weigh and measure everything and I'm going to do my best to get more exercise in.

This is going to happen. I'm going to make this happen!

For those who are following along on the Search for So Cal's best cupcakes, I will still be on that journey as well. I will limit my cupcakes to one day a week only though. With Weight Watchers you can adjust your eating plan to fit in every type of food.

So, while I'm back on Weight Watchers full force, I can still enjoy a cupcake now and then.

FROSTINGS CUPCAKES IN LAKE FOREST

I have been to Frostings Cupcakes in Lake Forest before but I just had to go back so I could add them to my hunt for So. Cal best cupcakes.

Located at 23624 El Toro Rd in Lake Forest, CA you will find a fun and hip cupcake shop.

The staff there is very friendly and are always willing to give you their opinion(if asked) as to what flavor should be tried that day.

There are many different flavors available each day. Some are standard flavors that will be there no matter what day you go. Some are just there on certain days of the week.

They are all lined up, look darling and smell super good.

Yet, it's not just cupcakes you can get there.

There are cute shirts, hats, cards, mugs and several other items. Of course they all have the cupcake theme to them. Very cute.

I was excited to try one of the, "flavor of the day", cupcakes. I picked the strawberry with strawberry buttercream icing.

When I cut it open I could see bits of strawberries inside as well as bits of strawberries in the icing.

I couldn't wait to take a bite.

It was very good. Full of flavor and moist inside.

However, the top outside area was dry. I think this problem could have been taken care of if the icing was placed over the whole top. That way the freshness is sealed in. The part that was covered with the icing was moist.

I'm not sure if this is a reoccurring problem or if I just got a cupcake not completely covered.

I would love to try another one to see.



I got some cupcakes to go also. I love the little box and the cute little flower sticker that matches the flower on the cupcakes. Nice detail.

The inside of the box has a liner so the cupcakes don't fall over or press into each other. This is great and I love this extra touch.

At home, I was able to try the Lemon Drop cupcake. It looked very good and I have to say the flavor and texture did not disappoint.

This is by far, one of the best cupcakes I've ever had.

Inside was a surprise of lemon curd. This made the cupcake have the perfect blend of sweet and tart lemon flavor.

This cupcake was not dry at all. It was moist and perfect! A perfect 10 in my book.

You can see the icing covered the whole top of the cupcake so I think that helps.



The other cupcake, brought home to try, was the coconut cupcake. The looks of the cupcake was wonderful. A big mound of icing (I'm an icing lover) and plenty of coconut. The little trademark flower makes it look extra special.

Cut open, I was able to tell it too was nice and moist inside, though not as moist as the lemon one.

Often, white cake is on the dry side so I wasn't expecting a super moist cupcake.

As I took a bite there was a burst of coconut and vanilla flavor that my taste buds sing with joy!

The price of the cupcakes are $3.50 which is average for most of the gourmet cupcakes in this area.

The size of the cupcake is also average. Big enough to satisfy you, but, not so big you couldn't eat two if you really wanted to and I think you will want to!

I really enjoyed my visit at Frostings and will be stopping in again when I'm in the area.

I will give the final score of all areas at the end of my Best Cupcake in So. Cal search. Though I have to say, I'm sure Frostings will be up there on the top of the list.

If you have any favorite cupcake shops or if you are a cupcake shop owner and would like me to try those cupcakes, let me know.

Keep an eye out for my next stop on search for the Best Cupcake in So. Cal.

UPDATE:

I got a wonderful email from FROSTINGS saying they read my post and took my advise. They are now putting the icing on the whole top of strawberry cupcakes.

I was so excited to see that they read the post and took the time to write me. I'm going to stop in for sure the next time I'm in the neighborhood just to try the strawberry cupcake again.

THE PERFECT CIRCLE CUPCAKERY

My hunt for the best cupcake in So. Cal is on! Here is my first review.


I had heard a lot of great things about The Perfect Circle Cupcakery in Orange CA. I was excited to try it, so, off I went.

Located at 165 N. Glassell Street in Orange, CA, I knew at first sight that I had discovered a hidden jewel.

Out front is a darling window display that was my first hint of how cute this shop was going to be. However, when I walked inside, I stopped dead in my tracts.

This place was something out of a dream. Painted a Tiffany Blue with Black and White accents made me feel like I walked into the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I loved it.

One wall has these great photos in black and white. I found out they were the children of the owner.

Look at this great sitting area. It's not only functional and comfortable but it is darling.

Over at the coffee bar area is a big picture of Audrey Hepburn herself. I knew we were in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's!

There were great touches of bling around the store too. Like this big diamond on the tables! I would love to have one of these on my desk. Wouldn't you?



Check out this apron and pearls. I know! I gasped with joy too!

OK, so the place was out of this world. But, I was there to try the cupcakes. So let's go see what they had to offer.

Several flavors to pick from. Each one looked so good. It was really hard for me to pick which one I would try.

At $3.50 each, the price was average for gourmet cupcakes. If you buy a dozen, you get a discount and it will only cost you $30.00. That's like getting two for free.

I loved the look of these Cookie and Cream cupcakes. Look at those little cookies on top of that creamy icing. YUM!

But, that was not the cupcake I was going to try...today.

My sister, Maureen, went with me and she got a few cupcakes to go. I was happy about this because it gave me a chance to see how they packed their cupcakes to go.

This is important. Really it is. I've ordered cupcakes at places and they put them in a bag. Now I don't need to tell you how it looked by the time I got it home. Let's just say, I wouldn't have been able to serve it to company.

The Perfect Circle Cupcakery did a great job. They put the cupcakes in a nice box with a cute sticker on top.

To eat there, I got the banana with cream cheese icing and my sister got the Coconut cupcake.

They serve them on a pretty silver tray. Nice touch.

Oh, in case you were wondering how the cupcakes looked inside the to go box, you can see here. They keep them from smashing into each other and mixing the flavors.

Wouldn't you love to get a box of different flavor cupcakes, like this.

So far, I love everything about this place. However, it was now time to try the cupcake.

I picked the banana cupcake not only because I love that flavor (which I do) but also because most cupcakes that are banana flavor are on the dry side. More like a muffin with icing.

I figured, if they could do a good banana cupcake the rest had to be good too.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much though. I figured the place was wonderful, the packing and presentation was great but how many places can really hit a home run with everything?

I cut the cupcake in 1/2. I was surprised it didn't crumble to bits. Then I took a bite.

I was in HEAVEN! This cupcake was very moist and had delicious flavor. The icing was just as good. I loved the walnuts surrounding the icing rather then being in the cupcake. I think that would have made it seem more like a muffin then a cupcake.

I was ready to stop my search for the best cupcake in So. Cal. This was by far my favorite cupcake I have ever had to date. It really was that good.

It was so good that I went and bought another one to take home for later.

I have nothing bad to say about this cupcake. The only way it could have been any better was if it was bigger! Or free. I wanted more and more of this cupcake.

While I feel it's going to be hard to top this place, my search is still on. I will be reviewing more cupcake shops.

If you have a favorite place or if you are the owner of a cupcake shop and want to be included in this search, please let me know. I would be happy to try out your favorite places.

As far as The Perfect Circle Cupcakery goes, I highly recommend you go there. You won't be let down. Just buy more then you think you will eat because I promise, you will want more later.

I'm holding off giving my score for The Perfect Cupcakery until I review all the other locations. At that time I will give the scores for all the locations and pick the Best Cupcake in So. Cal.

However, I can say that when I have a birthday or anytime someone wants to buy me a gift, I'm asking for cupcakes from here!