Tuesday, June 24, 2008

How Many Cupcakes Could You Make Out of $3.00?

Two weeks ago while we were walking around Reston town center we came across a little bakery that had a sign outside, "We sell cupcakes." Richie's not a huge cake person but loves cupcakes so we decided to try it out. What a let down. We went inside, and they weren't actually selling cupcakes- or not to us at least. You had to actual call in an order and get them specially made. So we went on a hunt for cupcakes. Too bad by that point it was already 9:30 PM, and all of the cupcake stores in the DC area were closed.

So we put our cravings on hold for two weeks.

We were up in the Silver Spring area this weekend with friends and decided that cupcakes sounded like the perfect ending (or start really) to a great night so we headed to Cakelove.


The four of us each got a different kind of cupcake (raspberry on chocolate, raspberry on vanilla, German chocolate, and strawberry on vanilla). They were all normal sized cupcakes topped with smooth, creamy frosting. To put it simply, they were all delicious.


Perfect right?

Not so much- they cost $3.00 each. I could make an entire batch of cupcakes from scratch for $3.00. Richie said it's the perfect solution if you don't want an entire batch and only want one cupcake. I disagree. I would rather make an entire batch, give all but two (one for Richie and me) away and save the money. So here's where you come in. What do you think? Do you think any cupcake is worth paying $3.00 for?

By the way, here's a recipe for Cakelove cupcakes and frosting. So if you want cupcakes but aren't willing to fork out $3.00 a cake (or is it $3.00 a cup), you can still enjoy the Cakelove goodness. Oh and just for fun, here's a recipe for red velvet cupcakes because they just sound amazing.

23 comments:

Jackie said...

I loooove cupcakes; Pillsbury Funfetti is my cupcake of choice. And I would much rather make them than buy them for $3.

And red velvet might be my new favorite cake choice after our tasting...can't wait to eat some at the wedding :) Perhaps when we return I will venture into red velvet cupcakes.

Kara said...

I would definitely make them from scratch, too. For Easter I made some yummy carrot cake cupcakes and decorated them really cute with little orange frosting carrots on the top. They were very easy to make and quite delicious!

I found the recipe here: http://www.cupcakerecipes.com/carrotrecipe.htm. They also have lots of other cupcake recipes that I am sure are just as good.

A. said...

I like CakeLove, though I don't go there often. Actually, Georgetown Cupcake in Georgetown is actually much better; the frosting is heaven -- and, I think they're even 25-cents cheaper! ; )

marcia said...

as a date treat it is fun but not like a regular occurrence and giving away is always fun and yes I did 56 myself

Natalie said...

That cupcake looks really small. I would rather make my own.

Memarie Lane said...

I would if it had really premium ingredients, like Godiva chocolate, organic flour ground by hand by a little old lady wearing an organic hand woven cotton smock while Vivaldi plays in the background, and sugar from the elysian sugar fields of the kingdom of Far Far Away. But from the looks of that recipe, I could just as well make them myself, sell them for $1 each and put them out of business.

Jones said...

Way too much money! I would rather make a batch and eat the whole batch for three dollars--lets be honest here...if I put in the effort, I deserve more than one. Hmmm maybe that's why I've been gaining weight.

Ronnica said...

Cupcakes are easy to make, so I'd rather make them myself from a box. That way I get to enjoy the batter, which is my favorite part anyway.

Bad Girl said...

On Wednesdays, Love Cafe has chocolate happy hour. All chocolate items (especially cupcakes!) are half price from 5-close. It seems so much more worth it when the cupcake only costs $1.50.

brooke said...

I would say it depends on the cupcake. I would definitely recommend Georgetown's cupcakes over cakelove (there's one in Shirlington).

Clarity Sage said...

I agree with your guy because the $3 is also paying for convenience. Baking a batch yourself takes time and effort. That's why everything in stores is overprice. I mean, people buy cups of coffee everyday for like $2 when it would be sooo much cheaper to brew it at home, but then there's the brewing and then the cleanup, so yeah, you're paying for convenience and some times the experience, not necessarily the actual item.

MsC said...

Clarity S said it right; you could also say, why would I go out for dinner? $20.00 for dinner a person, and it would cost $5.00 a person at home...its the whole point that *I* am not a chef. So sometimes I might go out and splurge for that $20.00 plate. Same goes for that yummy cupcake.

Angela said...

The cupcake looks great, but I would rather make them myself and give some away for the money... but, it is also a nice treat once in awhile to go ahead and buy it too! (Don't have the mess to clean up!)

Lexiloo said...

I do love Cake Love...the U St shop is around the corner from my office, but luckily I can usually restrain myself! It is good for a treat, but usually I just make my own!

Lexiloo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
h*dizzle said...

Mm yea h idk if id pay three dollars for the cupcakes. But now that I have the recipe I’m going to try and make my own! My bday is coming up and I want to make some for my friends!

Katelin said...

i seriously love cupcakes. and sadly i would fork over $3 for a really good one. A la red velvet perhaps? So freaking tasty.

txmommy said...

weeellll, we pay $6 for an ice cream cone from time to time at Cold Stone, so Maybe I would...but if we are voting I would vote with making a whole batch...'cuz who wants just one??

Sassy Molassy said...

Looks freaking amazing, but tiny! Being that I don't live near any specialty cupcake shops (I think the nearest one is 2hrs away), I would have to say, "yes, I would pay the $3 for one good cupcake." Last fall in NYC my friend and I went to Magnolia's Bakery and bought a few of their famous cupcakes (I think about $2 each) and ate them in Times Square. Absolutely fabulous. Plus, it forces you to eat less of them (although they are probably double or triple as bad for you as the Betty Crocker ones I make once in a while).

Auburn Kat said...

I agree, I think $3 for a cupcake is too steep. Maybe $2?

Baking is actually one thing I like to do in the kitchen and cupcakes are one of my favs to make! Now I'm craving them!

Auburn Kat said...

I agree, I think $3 for a cupcake is too steep. Maybe $2?

Baking is actually one thing I like to do in the kitchen and cupcakes are one of my favs to make! Now I'm craving them!

Amanda. said...

Unless that cupcake is
frosted with gold...I'm going
with noooo. $3? Psh.
What in the world! That's
just insane. At least on a
regular basis it's insane.

Once every four-five months...
sure...a person can splurge.
Other than that...I think
I'll pass on breaking the
bank for a stinkin' cupcake!

Crazy Daisy said...

IF I liked cake, I would only pay $3.00 for a cupcake on a special occasion. Otherwise, I would much prefer making them myself! :-)