Simple Christmas Vanilla Bundt Cake

Also a year ago, a stranger told me this would be a challenging year for me. Now, I never paid it any mind, but as the year comes to a close, I always like to reflect on it. This year has been quite the challenging year, in all aspects of my life. For those who follow my blog, you'd notice I rarely discuss my personal life, that is because I like to keep it that way. And to keep things relevant to what you all care to read about. As I look at 2016(yes, I'm officially over the year too) I can't help but be grateful for surviving the year. It was challenging, yes, but I made it out strong. The things I have gained this year are much greater than those that I have lost.

Small Cakes- Houston,TX

Restaurant:

Small Cakes

Location: 

12149 FM 1960 West, Suite E (F.M. 1960 between Eldridge and Fallbrook)
Houston, Texas 77065

Hours:

Mon – Sat: 10-8

Sun – Sat: 12-5

Ambiance:

After several weeks of passing Small Cakes on my way to and from work, I decided to stop on by for my regular sugar fix. I walked into the joint and was nudged towards the counter by the loving, typical bakery smell that entices me so much. I then heard a sigh from one of the employees. When I looked at her to see what was the matter, she let me know in a rather annoyed tone that they weren't open. Seeing as though I had just walked five miles, I did not have enough energy to throw some ‘tude back in her direction. I simply replied with “Well …then why is the door unlocked?” I felt a bit put-out (literally) and went back to my car where I watched the clerk lock the door until the store officially opened 10 minutes later.

What I ate:

I wasn't too excited about the employee’s unpleasant attitude, but I went back anyway. I didn't want to stay too long for fear that the place was still, in fact, closed and that I’d be thrown out again like Uncle Phil did Jazz on The Fresh Prince of Bellaire (I’m exaggerating), so I ignored the lengthy cupcake menu posted near the register and ordered the first thing that caught my eye: a Hot Fudge Sundae cupcake. The chocolate cake was topped with whipped frosting, nuts, chocolate drizzle, a cherry and taunted me all the way until the clerk boxed that baby up and sent me on my way with an apologetic smile.  

I took my first bite and was sold. The hot fudge sundae cupcake was definitely one of the best cupcakes I've ever had. It was sweet and moist and everything my sweet tooth could ever ask for. I’ll definitely be stopping by there again despite my interaction with Ms. Thang and her unlocked door.

A little verbal abuse ain't too bad if there’s a cupcake at the end of it. Ya feel me?

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Guest Blogger:

Erin Barlow is a teacher and self proclaimed cookie monster.
When's she's not busy teaching, you can find her searching high and low, for the next best pastry.

Suzybeez Cakez N Treatz- Houston,TX

Restaurant:

Suzybeez Cakez N Treatz

Location: 

FM1960 RD West at Wortham Blvd.

Hours:

Sun and Mon: Closed

Tues – Sat: 9-6

Ambiance:

Suzybeez is located a block away from 290 on 1960 and is pretty easy to find. The bakery is located in a shopping center along with a nail salon and pub, so they have a parking lot. Once I made my way into the establishment I expected to be hit with the typical euphoric bakery-smell that consists of sugar and shameful indulgence, but I was welcomed by a different smell: nothing that I could pinpoint…just different. The place was a little dirty and the display of baked goods didn’t look as dreamy as I’d hoped, but I ordered a slice of German chocolate cake from the friendly clerk anyway since…well…I wanted cake.

What I ate:

When I ordered my slice of German Chocolate cake, the lack of bakery smells made complete sense because the woman behind the counter reached into the fridge behind her and whipped out my order instead of graciously cooing the treat from the display case as most bakeries usually do. I raised an eyebrow, but like I said: I wanted cake. I paid the lady and made a mad dash for the car seeing as one of the male patrons inside the bakery was creeping me out a bit. Plus, I just wanted to hover over my food like a wild animal and inhale it without having to adhere to table manners (hence the cake shot with my car seat as the background…judge me).  

The slice looked as though it had been carelessly tossed into its plastic container, but as I looked into its dark frosting, I could not help but to see its potential. I took a bite and was very pleasantly surprised: the cake was very moist and the frosting was ubber rich. I delightedly finished my slice, but I couldn’t help but to think about how absolutely breathtaking the cake would’ve been had it been served fresh.

Or about the smell. (Dun dun duuunnn)

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Guest Blogger:

Erin Barlow is a teacher and self proclaimed cookie monster.
When's she's not busy teaching, you can find her searching high and low, for the next best pastry.

Crave Cupcakes- Houston TX

Restaurant:
Crave Cupcakes

Location:
1151 Uptown Park BLVD.,
Houston, TX 77056

  

Hours:

Mon-Fri: 8-8

Sat: 9-8

Sun: 10-7

Ambiance:

After gorging myself on American food and margaritas with Brunch and Conversation, I suggested that we shimmied on over to the cupcake place down the street. She obliged and we soon found ourselves the very sleek establishment that is Crave Cupcakes. This cute little bakery is embellished with a modern décor of stainless steel, glass and pops of an almost Tiffany’s blue. I absolutely adored the fact that the bakers could be seen through a glass wall creating the sweet treats.

What I ate:

After looking over the menu, I decided to try the Crave Mint Chocolate Cupcake. The cashier boxed my selection up in a trendy box and I excitedly walked back to my car in order to nom the whole thing down like an animal in solace. Now, I wouldn’t say that the cupcake was bad, but I was not impressed. The top of the cupcake was moderately moist while the bottom of it was a bit dry. Though the frosting was a dose of minty-chocolaty goodness, the cake itself did not live up to the expectations I set for it based upon the ambiance and friendly service of the bakery. To be blunt, I felt as though I could’ve made a better cupcake myself from a box of Betty Crocker. 

In short: I ate it, I didn’t hate it, but I could’ve made it and I don’t crave it. I will, however, go back just to make sure that my one so-so cupcake was not a fluke. 

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Guest Blogger:

Erin Barlow is a teacher and self proclaimed cookie monster.
When's she's not busy teaching, you can find her searching high and low, for the next best pastry.