Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Cupcakes & Small Town Iowa

So 2 weeks ago I spent the weekend in Elkader Iowa. I will be honest.....I so excited to FINALLY get to meet a gal that runs a cupcake shop in Dubuque. So lets get to the good stuff!!

Yummmmmmm

These are from All Things Sweet Shop in Dubuque. Check out their Facebook page!! So I was super excited to meet Jenn (owner). We have been talking on and off for a while. She has been a great support while trying to decide if I should take the Minnesota job or not. I admit, I miss baking & coming back to open a store front is NEVER out of my mind. Even while I was visiting her she was all support! Now lets get to these beautiful cupcakes! So I got a variety because I had hungry boys back waiting for me. My favorite....muddy farmer. See the little pigs & cow sprinkles!!! But honestly & I told her not to let this go to her head......they are all wonderful. I try to go into any cupcake shop I see & am picky. I analyze them from frosting to cake to look & these all passed my test. Needless to say there was a bite or 2 out of each one...sorry guys!! They are a small & cozy shop that also sells cupcake liners, cookie cutters & lots of other fun stuff. There is not a sit down area but they are along a great street of shops, great to eat & stroll!! 

I also found out there was a newbie in Dubuque that had only been open a few weeks, Candle Ready Cakes. They are in your face new, store front, white & bright. I didn't like that when I walked in, cupcake shops should be cozy & inviting......but that could just be me! Now I wasn't as impressed with this store. I stood up front waiting to be waited on for almost 5 minutes. Yes I completely eyeballed in detail all the cupcakes. They were a little messy and dry on top on several of them. I just got one and it was ok, but not great. Maybe their other flavors are better, I only got 1 & the pictures I took are on my phone.....I am lazy & they are staying there.

So there you have it an Iowa cupcake shop review!!! I am researching some Minnesota shops so look for those to come soon!

Miss you guys!!
Elaina