Happy New Year from all of us at BabyCakes NYC! Stop by this weekend and get a frosting shot on the house to celebrate! One per customer please! See you soon...]]>
It's pretty obvious we hired MIkey (the one dancing in slow motion) based on his spirit. Think you're a good candidate for our next job opening? Send us a video of your best moves. We'll be waiting....
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Confession: until very recently I've been horrible about taking care of my skin. I'm too exhausted to follow the 5 step face washing routine that I'd sometimes (well, kinda more than sometimes) go to bed with my make-up on. I'd hide my complexion with foundation and concealers, and I'd never (gasp!) exfoliate. I know. I know.
Recently I witnessed a friend with some unfortunate skin problems undergo a serious skin transformation from just a few facials at Valley, a beauty spot in the Lower East Side that everyone is raving about. Emma Graves, the head of Valley's Skin Care department, convinced this friend to swap her bottle of Proactive Solutions for a few products from her own holistic skin care line, Between You and the Moon. Emma grows a lot of the herbs for her products in her little apartment and uses only fair-trade, organic oils and other ingredients. I was so impressed with her approach to skin care I booked a facial on intrigue alone.
And wow. I was not prepared for this level of treatment. Emma spent a good 15 minutes examining my skin, discussing my diet, and asking me about what products I used. She slapped a mask on me, then disappeared to hand mix some sort of secret potions tailored to my needs for the rest of the facial. Throughout the facial she told me some shocking secrets: sunscreen ages you (she says to wear a big hat instead), many face creams wrinkle you, and you really shouldn't exfolliate that often. She explained that like your body, your skin cleanses and exfoliates itself naturally and that it just needs a little help getting rid of the days "sins" at the end of the night. So I don't really need any of those serums, creams or peels that were bursting out of my medicine cabinet? She wasn't trying to sell me a 14 step nightly skin care line? Nope. She suggested two things. A cleansing milk and a little bottle of oil.
I left that day feeling refreshed physically and mentally. That night I eagerly followed her simplified plan which I have had no problem keeping up. My skin has become so even that I've stopped wearing foundation or any type of concealers! I'm such a convert I bought everyone on my gift list a facial for the holidays. She even does a vegan facial! I've fallen so hard for this place that the owners of Valley and I have worked out a special offer. Bring your BabyCakes NYC receipt in for a facial with Emma and you get a free manicure! If you think Emma's talented check out what their manicurists can do. You want airbrushed palm trees with with a sunset background? No problem.
Although I'm sad that I really have no reason to go to Sephora for the latest skin fix solution, I have to say I'm richer for it. If you live in New York, run do not walk to Valley pronto.
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Happy Holidays everyone!! Relax to the max and save some room for cupcakes when we open up again on Saturday, December 27th. We miss you already!
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Ok, ok. I'll admit that I get a little eye-rolly along with most other New Yorkers with all the films and shows that get shot in the city. Our favorite spots get taken over, film crews clog up the whole block and we have to lower our voices if we are in earshot while filming. It's inconvenient!
However. When we got a call from Law and Order requesting to shoot a scene in the bakery we had to oblige. I mean, Emily's grandma practically threatened to cut her off if we said no! I wasn't about to let that happen. So this Monday, Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) shot a scene in the bakery. Now, I'm not going to spoil it for anyone but I can tell you that the scene involves Detective Cyrus Lupo stuffing his face with a Red Velvet. I swear he kept messing up his lines just so he could eat more....
Oh and regarding that picture everyone? Yes, I know I need a haircut. Give me a break, it was Monday morning!
Maybe I'm just blinded Fosse's daring dance moves, but with this latest send up of one of Beyonce's finest, I'm feeling extreme inspiration for the spring BabyCakes NYC uniforms... Anyone?
Like the Wizard of Oz ruling behind a thick velvet curtain, this woman has been the muscle behind every cupcake you've ever had at BabyCakes NYC, the mastermind of all organization in the kitchen, and the go-to person when anything is lost (I call her Nancy Drew).
Her name is Sabrina Wells. You've probably seen her vigorously whisking Apple Cranberry Toasties (by hand in small batches), loading in hefty ingredient deliveries, or scrubbing her "boyfriend" the oven, the kitchen floors and even the walls. She's the kind of boss that not only doles out the tasks, but is right there with you, scrubbing on hands and knees. Gordon Ramsey's dream girl.
As much as she hates attention (sorry, Sabrina!) I think it's past time that she gets a little more recognition, a virtual hug, and a few high fives for being the glue that keeps the BabyCakes NYC baking department together. So let's show a little love for Sabrina! Are you with me? Heaven knows where we'd be without her.
Check it out here:
Sheesh, Eliz! It was like that, homey? It's ok-you can still work here.
Almost every day, customers fire off all kinds of suggestions. So much that we even got a tea called "Constant Comment" to offer to the extra loquacious bunch. Of all the requests, not a day goes by when someone doesn't request sandwich bread. And we want you all to know that we hear you! And we are totally not all over it. Sorry guys, but that would require a whole new facility and business model.
But still, we are all ears. Do you have some random childhood sweet memory you wish we could re-do in the BabyCakes fashion? Have you had something at the bakery just once only to return time after time to never see it again? Inquiring minds want to know!
So let's make the comment section the sounding board, shall we? Our favorite request will make it onto our next menu. We're serious!
*This "peanut" joke is just a play on words, ok?
Surprise! The Holidays are here! Didn't you get the memo?
We have an extra special Holiday Menu that will be available Thursday 12/18 through Wednesday 12/24. Please place your orders in advance because they will book up soon!
Cupcakes
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mint Frosting
(gluten- free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $3.95 each/44.15 per dozen)
Gluten-Free Brownie Cupcakes with Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mint Frosting
(gluten free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $4.25/$47.45 per dozen)
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla, or Chocolate Frosting
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $3.95 each/$44.15 per dozen)
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $4.25 each/$47.45 per dozen)
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $4.25 each/ $47.45 dozen)
Spelt Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
(vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened 3.25 each/ 36.45 per dozen)
Spelt Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
(vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened $3.50 each/ $39.20 per dozen)
Spelt Gingerbread Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
(vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened $3.50 each/ $39.20 per dozen)
Cakes and Tea Cakes
Apple Cinnamon Sugar Bread with fresh Cranberries
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free $3.85 per slice/ $32 per loaf. Serves 10)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cake with Vanilla Icing
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $45/9" Cake. Serves 10)
Apple Cinnamon Sugar Muffins
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $3.95 each)
Mint Chocolate Icebox Cake
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $49. Serves 12)
Frosted Gingerbread
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $45. Serves 12)
Cornbread
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave sweetened. $30. Serves 10)
Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Cake with Chocolate and Vanilla Sauce
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave sweetened. $39 Serves 10)
Spelt Apple Pie
(vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened $45. Serves 8)
Lemon Poppy Tea Cake
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened $30. Serves 10)
Cookies and Brownies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $22.99/LB)
Sugar Plum Cookies
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $22.99/LB)
Raspberries in the Snow
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $1.50 each/$15 per dozen)
Brownies
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free. $.99 each/ $11 per dozen)
Agave-Sweetened Brownies
(gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, agave-sweetened. $1.50 each/ $16 per dozen)
We will also have special Holiday hours:
Wednesday 12/24: 10am-6pm (for all of you extra-last-minute-shoppers!)
Thursday 12/25: Closed
Friday 12/26: Closed
While we're at it, we will be open on Wednesday 12/31 from 10am-8pm and will be closed on Thursday 01/01.
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I know we all have springtime reading lists packed, what with "BabyCakes" the BabyCakes NYC Cookbook coming out and all. Once you've read it cover to cover and you're full of gluten-free goodness to your heart's content, you'll have to check out the latest gem by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, "The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food."
The fine people at W.W. Norton were kind enough to send us an advanced copy of "The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food" (which hits the shelves March 2009). I was the lucky one who checked the mail that day, so I got first dibs on this amazing, and I mean ah-may-zing book.
Even though I'm vegan and I like to consider myself semi-well-versed on the plight of animals, I learned so, so much while reading this book. Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson (I'll call him Jeff for short) taught me new things I never knew about milk, eggs, chickens and turkeys. Yes, turkeys, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Masson's conversational style of writing will definitely keep this book glued to your hands, I couldn't put it down! Jeff's book is a great resource for vegans to reinforce their beliefs, and non-vegans to learn a little something something about the face on their plate.
Happy reading!
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This week I was reminded how important we are to each other. We shipped boxes of BabyCakes all over the country and filled special orders for hundreds of you who waited in line so patiently (with happy faces too!). I can't help but feel touched that we are going to be a part of so many Thanksgiving celebrations! I just want to let you all to know that I'm so grateful that each and every one of you has continued to support us through the years. We couldn't live out our dream every day without you.
I'm also incredibly thankful for my employees. As a gesture of my appreciation for their hard work (these people did some serious magic this week) I'm closing up shop on Thursday, Thanksgiving day, as well as Friday so they can go see their families and celebrate in peace. SO sorry to everyone who had plans to stop by Friday! We will resume normal business hours on Saturday, cool? Thanks!
People! We are now totally booked for special orders. BUT! We will be baking all day and will keep the place stocked until the evening as best we can. Want to know what we're going to have? Here you go:
Apple Pie *contains spelt.....$39
serves 10
(dairy free, egg free, soy free, agave sweetened)
Apple Crumb Cake.....$35
serves 10
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave sweetened)
Chocolate Crumb Cake.....$35
serves 10
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Vanilla Cupcakes.....$3.25/$3.95
(spelt or gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Chocolate Cupcakes.....$3.25/$3.95
(spelt or gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Pumpkin Cupcakes with cinnamon frosting.....$3.95
(gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Jalapeno Cornbread.....$30
serves 10
(gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Cornbread.....$30
serves 10
(gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Pumpkin Bread.....$30
serves 10
(gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Frosted Pumpkin Bread.....$45
serves 10
(gluten-free; dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
America's Most Wanted.....$2
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free)
Regular Brownies.....$.99/$11 doz
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free)
Agave Sweetened Brownies.....$1.50/$16 doz
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Ginger Cookies.....$1.50/$18 doz
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free)
Chocolate Chip Cookies.....$1.50/$18 doz
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free)
Banana Bread.....$30
serves 10
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened)
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread.....$30
serves 10
(gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free)
Our friends at In Style included us in their gift guide as the perfect present for a co-worker! Now, don't get me wrong, the cupcakes are a major crowd pleaser, but we have some other cool gift ideas in the works too (think DIY cookie mix). Make sure to check our menu page soon for seasonal additions. ]]>
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