Foodie: Crazy for Cupcakes

It's no secret how much I love sweets. I love anything with sugar on it, so that's basically saying I love food in general. Haha. Kidding aside, my favorite part of the meal is always dessert. Yep, I try my best to finish the main course as quickly as possible so I can proceed to whatever's waiting for me at the end. Kahit anong dessert pa yan - fruits, cake, chocolate, ice cream. Name it, I'll eat it. As long as it's sure to make my sweet tooth happy.

Anyway, I've been raving about sweets and desserts because I've discovered a dessert favorite last year. Like I said, I was really into yogurts in 2010 and milk tea in 2011. Last year, I got hooked on *drum roll* CUPCAKES!

I know what you're thinking. What's new with cupcakes, right? They're old favorites already - just cuter versions of muffins. 

Well, I've noticed that cupcakes are no longer just little pieces of pastry you use to end a meal. They're now considered "meals" in themselves. You go to a cupcake shop; you order a piece; you sit there and take all the time in the world to finish your cupcake. Cupcakes are tambay material now. Just like coffee. Haha. They also have their own stores/shops now. They're no longer confined to small town bakeries. And mind you, today's cupcakes have become pricey. Most of the best in the market cost at least fifty to eighty pesos. May pinagmamalaki na yata. Haha.

So here I've rounded up five of the best cupcakes and cupcake places in town. Get a tissue ready because your mouths are sure to water.

1. Lemon Drop and Choco Cream Cheese Swirl Cupcakes from Cupcakes by Sonja. I live in Quezon City so going to the Fort just to sample these babies was a feat. It was worth the journey, though. I've always wanted to try their Red Velvet Vixen, but somehow, when I went inside the shop, I forgot what I really wanted. There were so many cupcakes to choose from, I had a hard time picking one. Ate and I ended up with these two. The Lemon Drop, she said - and I agreed, had the perfect tangy taste. It was both sweet and sour. The Choco Cream Cheese Swirl was much sweeter, given that it's made from chocolate. Perfect moisture and taste, I'd say.

2. Red Velvet Cupcakes from Sophie's Mom. Ate and I discovered Sophie's Mom half a year ago while strolling around SM Megamall (the places I go to just for cupcakes. Haha!). I have to admit, the first reason why I approached their stall is their dainty decorations. Everything was so pink! Their display cases are mostly graced, and occupied, by Red Velvet Cupcakes. And why not? It's their best seller. Theirs is actually the best Red Velvet Cupcakes I've ever tasted. The cheapest too!

3. Choco Yema Cupcakes from Slice. Again, another cupcake favorite found only in Bonifacio Global City. Hay, the lengths I go to just to sample a cupcake. Haha. This cupcake is a favorite among local celebrities and netizens. When I heard about it, I knew I had to try it. And it didn't disappoint. This cupcake reminded me of yema and pastillas that my Lola would make for me and my cousins when we were little. Surprisingly, the yema on top of the chocolate cupcake doesn't melt or solidify after minutes of being taken out of the fridge/display case. It stays moist and gooey. Really yummy, but you'll have to drink lots of water after.

4. Luscious Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cream Pie from Vanilla Cupcake Bakery. I've posted about the Vanilla Cupcake Bakery on my blog last year. If you haven't read it, you can click here. So far, I think these cupcakes are the sweetest among all those I've tasted. I don't think I was able to finish mine because I was overwhelmed. Nonetheless, I think they made the list because they got the right texture and cupcake look. Haha.

5. Salted Caramel Cupcakes from J Cuppacakes. This is another product of strolling around SM Megamall. Haha. Among all the cupcakes I've tried, J Cuppacakes are the least heard of, at least to me. They're as cheap as the cupcakes from Sophie's Mom. Though I think they have more variants. This Salted Caramel Cupcake was a bit sweet for my taste. I guess I was drawn to it after seeing the popcorn on top. Very unique, no?

Believe me, I'm no cupcake ambassador. I just have a bigger appreciation for these darlings. So while I'm waiting for another dessert obsession to hit, I think I'll try more cupcakes in the future. Go ahead and indulge as well. Ciao for now! :)