Recently in Insider Information! Category

Ok. Winter is getting reeeaaally boring. I mean, if I have to debate between my 2 tore up coats and decide which one looks least likely to ruin a good outfit one more time, I swear. I'm going to lose it and it's not going to be very lady-like.

But spring is in the air, right? RIght??? Ok, maybe not but let's pretend. Speaking of warm weather, cute summer dresses, cut off shorts, ponytails, sandals, sun-kissed faces and natural highlights I should tip you off that Stogo, the new vegan agave sweetened ice cream shop in the East Village is dishing out some serious ice cream that is attracting vegan and non-vegan customers in NYC despite the sub-zero temperatures we've been having. And did we mention they carry BabyCakes cupcakes, cookies and brownies too? You can't go wrong!

So check it out if you are in the area. Tell us your thoughts! I'm thinking hot fudge sundae with our brownies and topped with our chocolate chip cookie crumbs. Mmmmmmmmm.

If you loose your mind over all things cupcake-you probably already know about Cupcakes Take the Cake.

Way back when there were only a couple cupcake shops in the entire world, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Allison Bojarski, Nichelle Stephens, and Stacie Joy started a blog dedicated to cupcakes and nothing else. Over time they have covered every shop that has opened in the country, every new decorating trend, and even some not-so-cute issues that have boiled up like this one.

Who knew those little frosted treasures could bring as much controversy and hype as Brangelina. Sheesh! Thanks for keeping us informed ladies. Keep it coming!

Inquiring minds want to know: what does Madonna eat?

Tracy Anderson, the trainer behind Madonna's svelt, ripped physique,dished to the Daily Mirror that the blonde songstress allows herself the occasional sugar-free and gluten-free sweet.

"Madonna has a very healthy appetite. She doesn't eat processed food, she's very conscious of the quality of the things she eats but she has treats - she loves cupcakes"

Hmmmmm. That would explain all those mysterious "VIP" cupcake deliveries to the Kabbalah Center...

Can't get that case of the Mondays to simmer down? Are they veering your week off the tracks and into Lame-Land? How bout this: slow your roll, merge onto the BabyCakes NYC 'free'way, and set your Mondays on Blues Control!

You: "Say Wha?!"
Us: "Oh you heard me."

Here's the deal: Each Monday this winter, we're shutting down our ovens and selling day-old baked treasures in a Buy-One-Get-One-Free-Spectacular. Get it? Pay for one, get the second free?

So grab a friend toast your blues away at BabyCakes NYC. But make sure to get down early. Our gates come down the second we sell out. See you then!

When a position opens up at the bakery, thousands apply. Competition is stiff and can even get cut-throat. With so many stellar applicants, we had to get creative when making our final decision. How may you ask? Peep this video to see applicants for our part-time holiday help competition.

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....

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...

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.

Election day is finally here, if you can you believe that! It feels as though it's been a couple years in the making or something ... oh, wait, right. Anyhow. I'm sure we're all a little nervous/excited/stressed/relieved, and certainly not as well rested as we should be. (My dreams? They've been loco.) So what we want to do is celebrate/toast the end/beginning with YOU THE AMERICAN VOTER! How exactly?

Do you ship your cupcakes?
Yes! We gladly ship cupcakes by the dozen, or full sized cakes (6" or 8"). Both are shipped with one flavor of frosting on the side. We also ship smaller quantities of unfrosted cupcakes.

Can I freeze your products?
Cookies (shelf life: approximately 4-5 days from shipping date)
Place your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you'd like to freeze your cookies, first wrap them in wax paper then either foil or plastic then in an air tight container for a maximum shelf life of 1 month. When ready to eat place them on a cookie sheet and heat at 325 degrees for 6 minutes.

Loaves, brownies, crumb cakes and muffins (shelf live approximately 4-5 days from shipping date) have a five day shelf life upon shipping. When goodies are received, place them in an air tight container and keep in the refridgerator. Reheat in an oven at 325 degrees until it reaches desired crispiness (about 6-8 minutes).

Cakes, loaves and brownies may also be frozen and should be good for about 2 months. Wrap your cake in wax paper then foil or plastic wrap, then place in an air tight container. Move it from your freezer to your refrigerator to let it thaw a day before you plan to eat it. The following day, let it finish thawing for several hours at room temperature.

Can we substitute items on shipping list?
Because we are a small facility and dealing with high volume, we are unable to do so at this time

How are Babycakes' items shipped?
We recommend next day air via FedEx due to the fact that our products don't have preservatives. To get a guideline estimate for your shipped order, try our Shipping Scales.

When do you ship?
BabyCakes NYC ships nationally via Fed Ex overnight on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Since we are a small bakery, we ask that all shipment orders be placed at least 48 hours before the shipping date. Shipping orders do tend to book up, please place your order as far in advance as possible. We take shipment orders Monday through Friday between 10:00 and 5:00 EST.

What if I am not home when the post person comes?
BabyCakes is not responsible if the customer is not at home when packages arrive. Additionally, we are not responsible if there are unfortunate circumstances (i.e. weather, road conditions, etc...) beyond our control that would prohibit FedEx from delivering your baked goods on time.

Does Babycakes deliver in New York City?
Yes! It is a $21 delivery fee for all deliveries below 59th Street. From 60th - 70th Streets the charge is $25. Any deliveries between 71st Street and 96th Street are $30. We deliver every day and ask that orders be placed at least 48 hours in advance. Our delivery slots do tend to book up, so please call as far in advance as possible. Orders can be placed Monday through Friday between 10:00 and 5:00 EST.

How to Care For Your Products

If you do not wish to immediately consume your BabyCakes NYC products, freeze in an airtight container. Desserts will last up to about a month.

For fresh taste and soft texture, place your baked goods in a toaster oven for two minutes. It will taste oven-fresh! (Tip: wait until cupcakes cool before frosting).

The frosting your received still needs a little more work before you can use it. Place the container in the refrigerator overnight. The frosting will thicken to an almost perfect consistency. Last thing you need to do is to take container out of refrigerator right before you intend to use it and stir it until creamy.

Insider Tips

Your fellow customers give you the inside scoop on how to make BabyCakes NYC taste even better or resuscitate your day-old goods

To improve on perfection, microwave the frosted spelt vanilla cupcake for 15 seconds. Its flavor will take on new dimensions. It's soft, warm and tastes even better than a Twinkie. (FYI frosting will melt a bit).

Freezing the brownies enhances its fudgey taste.

The blueberry crumb tastes freshly baked when popped in the oven for five minutes at 325 degrees. Sauce cake and serve warm.

Toast the cornbread and add jam to make it taste kind of like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Bring biscuits back to life by re-baking them for four minutes at 350 degrees.

May sound crazy, but one of our customers insist that the double chocolate crumb tastes great when blended with soy shakes.

Do you have an Insider Tip? Let us know what it is by emailing info@babycakesnyc.com