June 4 Reminder

[Melissa Ward]

Good morning Ladies!

Just a quick reminder about the upcoming bakers challenge meetup! 

Secret Ingredient: Lavender

Theme: Farmers Market

Bake a total of approximately 1 dozen mini cupcakes

Please send me an email no later than Sunday, June 2 giving me the following details:

cake flavor

filling (if using)

frosting

And any additional toppings, drizzles, etc.

Also, please note if your cupcakes have any nuts (do we have anyone with nut allergies?)

If something changes slightly between when you send me the email and when you show up, we can always write in the new detail on the comment cards I'm making.

The point of this exercise is to let us know what to look for when tasting, so we can give accurate, constructive feedback.

Please arrive between 7-7:30. If I can manage it, I'll have some light refreshments out. If anyone would like to volunteer to bring beverages, that would be super.

And finally, my street address:

126B Pyle Ave.

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

It's in the Haddon Hills apartment/townhouse complex. We are an end unit with a maroon door and a ton of plants on our side of the stoop. You can park on the street. 

If you need to use public transportation, take PATCO to the Westmont station, and I'm sure we can arrange to have someone pick you up at the station (it's only a 10 minute walk to my place, but I don't know how many of you want to walk with cupcakes).

My phone number is 720.722.1179

And just a quick reminder...we have 2 very friendly cats, so if you're allergic, definitely take your meds ahead of time.

Any questions? Let me know! I'm excited to host :)

[Audrey Bauer]

Okay so I have no idea how this cupcake is going to taste but I had a dream about it (yes I dream in cupcake) I'm going to do a test run today and if its awesome this is the cupcake I'm going to make for the get together. It's lavender cake filled with white chocolate ganache topped with a lemon buttercream. Lol I'll let you know the verdict later!

Sent from my iPhone

[Melissa Ward]

Audrey, that sounds fantastic! And if lemon isn't quite doing it for you, maybe orange blossom? 

I myself will be incorporating a local lavender honey in my buttercream. I'm thinking I might keep it simple with a non-filled cake, but the jury is still out. Years ago I made a recipe from The Boozy Baker which was an almond lavender cake with a honey amaretto buttercream and dried lavender on top...it was pretty tasty, but I definitely want to try something new.

I know Emily made a lavender simple syrup (thanks Twitter!) and though Melissa T. has been sick, she's got cupcakes on her mind (feel better lady!). Nonetheless, I'm really looking forward to having you all over and having a great night :)

--
Cupcake Friday Project — A one-woman test kitchen meets nano-bakery

[Audrey Bauer]

Yeah I was thinking orange too. Not gonna lie, never worked with lavender. So this should be fun and interesting. How far away from Philly are you? 

Sent from my iPhone

[Melissa Ward]

From the center of Philly (which is basically where I work) I'm about 30 minutes or less (mainly depending on traffic) via car. If you were to take PATCO, it's 15-20 minutes, depending on what stop you jump on (we're the Westmont station). 

If driving from Philly, I suggest taking the Ben across, but if you're coming from outside Philly (or even South Philly), from the West, then it actually makes more sense to take 95 around the city to the Walt Whitman.

And here's my street address one more time so you can Google Map/GPS it:

126B Pyle Ave

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

[Cupcakes For Causes]

If anyone wants to meet at my place...I can fit 3 people in my car. I live in Fishtown by the Sugar House, so I'm close to the Ben.

I'm still sick. :(

[Audrey Bauer]

You are an hour and fifteen minutes from me, I probably won't get to you until after 7:30:( because I work til 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You guys will have to start without me, I'll play catch up when I get there hah

Sent from my iPhone

[Melissa Ward]

No worries! We'll mainly be setting up and nibbling some snacks from 7:30ish to 8 I imagine. 

[Emily Watts]

Yes! The simple syrup came out really well. I can't wait to share what all I'm making :) 

[Jamie Landers]

I'll most likely be a little late as well, but can't wait to see everyone.

I'm taking an international spin on the "Farmer's Market" theme....hopefully it will pan out in my test batch this weekend.

[Melissa Ward]

All spins are welcome! I'm really interested in seeing the different flavor combos we come up with!

And as a reminder, try to get the quick description of your cupcake to me by Sunday night so I can make up the place cards and comment sheets!

[Jamie]

Hi Melissa

I hope you had a great weekend! I'm really looking forward to Tuesday. Thank you for organizing the event. 

Here's a description of the cupcake Ill be attempting.

Kyoto Cakes

Matcha sponge cake filled with lavender cream frosted with chocolate miso ganache sprinkled with toasted black sesame seeds

Japan is my favorite country & I've had the pleasure of traveling there 3 times. During my last trip in February I took a side trip to Kyoto and had the most delicious green tea cakes filled with Sakura (cherry blossom) cream in the giant farmers market/food stalls. This is my spin on that experience. I'm so happy to have a chance to step out creatively with some talented and willing taste testers. 

See you soon

Jamie 

Sent from my iPhone

[Aarti Mahtani Raman]

hey all,

all your ideas thus far sound amazing. unfortunately, i'll no longer be able to make it =/ 

its my sister's wedding week and while i thought i'd have a few days off, i got tasked with a bunch of errands, etc. this whole week and to top it off, im doing all her desserts!

have the best time, take pics, and i'm looking forward to the next one!

xo,

aarti

--

Aarti Mahtani Raman

Caterer, AMR Catering

www.amrcatering.com

www.facebook.com/AMRCatering

Follow Me on Twitter: @AMRCatering

Phone: 732-910-5012

Email: aa...@amrcatering.com

[Melissa Ward]

Jamie, your cupcake sounds amazing :) Aarti, we'll miss you, but many blessings to your sister and her hudband-to-be!

[Melissa Ward]

All right, I have everyone's cupcake concepts except Jeanine's. Jeanine, will you be able to make it out tomorrow night? If so, please send me your cupcake concept today.

Exciiiiiiiiitement!

[Jessica Ercolino]

Someone live tweet this event! I'm so sad I won't be there. :(

[Melissa Ward]

We will definitely do that! 

Also, following up tomorrow night, I want to touch base with everyone about when they might want to meetup again for another challenge. Would we want this to become a monthly meetup, or maybe every 2 or 3 months? Also, we should think about if we want to branch out from cupcakes and create other desserts to share and learn from.

So, think about that and we can all discuss. 

[Emily Watts]

I'm excited!

[Jeanine Reed]

Hey Melissa! i was at a conference for 3 days and catching up at work today - sorry i didn't reply sooner! Unfortunately, the conference kinda threw everything off, and I won't be able to make it tomorrow night. I was looking forward to it, too! I'm sure all the cupcakes will be delicious!! please keep me in the loop for the next challenge - I'm sorry I won't be there tomorrow night! :(

Jeanine

[Melissa Ward]

No problem! Take care. 

Sent from my iPad