Let’s cupcake!

Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? Next to cookies, cupcakes are my favorite sweet treat! When you pair cupcakes with a great cause, well they becomes even better! I’m excited to share I’ll be taking part in this years “Cupcakes for a Cause” event! Last year I gave away tickets to the First Annual IECupcake Fair! This year, I’m excited to be sharing a cupcake recipe and I’m honored to be participating as a judge.

The Inland Empire Cupcake Fair or “Cupcakes for a Cause” brings together baking enthusiasts from all across the Inland Empire here in Southern California, to participate and show off their very best cupcakes! The fair will have cupcake tastings (sooo many delicious options!), judging (Yay! Come see me and say hello!), giveaways, live entertainment, cake decoration demonstrations by California Cake Decorations & Supply Co.(I want to see this!), live entertainment, free massages, Kids’ Zone, Active Zone, Craft Corner and lots of shopping!

This year the Cupcake Fair asked me to create an exclusive cupcake recipe – just for this event! Desi Massei of [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes, three-time Food Network “Cupcake Wars” winner and last year’s Cupcake Fair winner for Best Overall Cupcake and Most Unique Ingredient Cupcake created an amazing frosting recipe for the event too. Seriously! Chocolate Espresso Swiss Meringue Buttercream. We’ve only met once, but this talented woman knows how to speak my frosting language! Chocolate AND Espresso. How did she know? You will love this recipe!

My job was to create a base for this phenomenal frosting. No pressure. Really. (GAH! You did see her cupcake credentials right?!?!) Well, I grabbed a cup of coffee and set to work. Several days, and many batches of cupcakes later, I had my recipe! It’s a Marbled Vanilla Mocha Cupcake. It has swirls of sweet vanilla surrounded by a rich coffee-infused chocolate. The best part (aside from how it tastes!) is it’s made using a single batter! I love it when it’s easy!

My cupcake, combined with Desi’s frosting is an out-of-this-world flavor experience. And they look pretty too…

Are you craving the recipe? You can find it here: IECupcake Fair Blog

The Second Annual Inland Empire Cupcake Fair “Cupcakes for a Cause” is set for Sunday, May 4, 2014, at the Riverside Convention Center from 12-4 p.m. I’ll be there for sure and if you’re local, I hope you will be there too!!

Tickets are on sale now! Visit IEShineOn for packages including general admission,VIP and group rates. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Community Connect and the California Riverside Ballet.