About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤
✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this ✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this one is pretty alright. ✨
Our weekend was crammed with family and fun, but e Our weekend was crammed with family and fun, but even so, I was feeling like I didn’t get enough time with my oldest. I whined a little and he offered breakfast today before he headed back to school. It was just what I needed, those little things aren’t so little. Two more weeks before I get to see him again. 💛
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Review: Mr. Cupcakes

September 3, 2009 · Narrative

Mr. Cupcake


If you’ve been coming here for awhile, you may have noticed a theme of topics … food, of course, a little bit of life, kids, the color pink … and oh yes, cupcakes!  I don’t know how or when the cupcake obsession started, but it’s been going strong for many years now and shows no signs of letting it up.  Whether we’re making them at home or hunting down the newest cupcake spot, it’s a popular topic.

I can’t remember how I first discovered Mr. Cupcakes, but think it might have been a local write-up in the paper or some such.  The first time I tasted cupcakes from there, it was at a cupcake-themed Supper Club gathering last year.  The Neighbor Wife, always eager to avoid baking, offered to pick some up since the place was on our to-visit list but we had yet … to visit.  She brought an assortment and I’m fairly certain there were none left by the end of the evening.  Quel surprise!

Last weekend, when I was planning our first “formal” dinner in the new house for the kids, I had decided on cupcakes for dessert.  What better way to cap off our first meal?  I mentioned to Nick that I’d be picking some up, and that was the first thing he was looking for when he walked in the door.

Armed with my handy dandy GPS, I found the store quite easily.  Parking, on the other hand, is another issue.  There are a few spots on the street in front of the place, and there is a little parking lot one door down.  This is fine as long as you don’t drive an SUV.  If you do, the lot is small enough that it’s quite the juggle to get out of the space.

The store is small.  Actually, it’s about as big as Billy’s in the city, but they use their space way less creatively.  There is one small bistro table to seat two if you want to eat there, but that’s also right in the middle of where the line forms, when there is one, so it’s not somewhere you want to sit.  So pretty much a grab-and-go joint.  They could use some help in the decorating department, but since we’re going for the cupcakes and the cupcakes alone, we’ll turn a blind eye.

The cupcake varieties fill the display case,  sitting in labeled black trays.  The store sells “Executive” cupcakes, those flavors that are always available, and “Interns,” those that are there for a limited time only.  Cute concept.

I was the second in line on a Saturday afternoon, but before my turn was up, the line was out the door, so it’s definitely a popular spot.  The staff seemed to be mostly high school students, and all were professional and very friendly.  I got an assortment of flavors, including the French Toast, Hot Chocolate, Triple Chocolate, Hot Fudge Sundae and Plain Jane.  Nick devoured the Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcake.  I liked the French Toast one, although it was a little heavy handed with the cinnamon dusting on top.

The prices are very reasonable … 5 regular sized cupcakes, 1 mini and 2 tattoos for the kids was under $9.  Considering there is another place that I know of that sells cupcakes for $4 a piece (craziness!!), I’m pretty happy with the $2 +/-each price range.

Would I go there again?  If I was in the area, yes.  But now that we’re making really good ones at home, ones that rival and sometimes beat Billy’s Bakery cupcakes, and since we have a few other spots left to visit on our list, it’s not an OMG, can’t-wait-to-go-back type place.  That said, if you’re in the area, or even not, it’s worth a trip to satisfy your inner cupcake craving.

Mr. Cupcakes
1216 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ  07013

New location:
The Shops at Riverside
390 Hackensack Avenue
One Riverside Square
Hackensack, NJ  07601

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Billy's Bakery, Cupcakes!, Mr. Cupcakes

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    September 4, 2009 at 6:13 am

    I adore cupcakes. Too bad I’m not REALLY in the area! How did these compare to Crumbs?

    Reply
  2. Debbie says

    September 4, 2009 at 8:20 am

    It’s a bit too far for me to drive to! We have some cupcakes shops nearby in Alexandria, Va and they are all soooo expensive. I don’t understand how places charge upwards of $3.50 for a cupcake. We had one recently from Cake Love in DC and it was just too sweet. Nothing special. The ones you bought look delicious and the price is definitely reasonable.

    Reply
  3. Ramona says

    September 4, 2009 at 9:39 am

    I would never pay $4 each for a cupcake. Sorry, just would have to do without. $2 yes.

    They look good.
    Ramona

    Reply
  4. Sarah Caron says

    September 4, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Well, they look delish. But sounds like parking was a headache. What other flavors did they have?

    Reply
  5. The Neighbor (Wife) says

    September 4, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    YES, Cate’s cupcakes rival and beat Billy’s Bakery. And you don’t get the attitude you get at Billy’s from the HORRIBLE Staff!

    Reply
  6. {kiss my spatula} says

    September 4, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    you can’t look at a cupcake and not feel happy! :)

    Reply
  7. Patsy Kreitman says

    September 4, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Those cupcakes are adorable! Next time we head over toward Clifton (there is a cool fish store my hubby likes to visit), maybe we’ll try to find this place for a treat.

    Reply
  8. Pineapple Princess says

    September 5, 2009 at 2:37 am

    OMGosh! I am so hungry right now. You are not helping me be good tonight. :)

    Reply
  9. Cate says

    September 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    Pineapple Princess – lol, sorry!

    Patsy – what is the fish place? If you’re in the area, also be sure to check out Corrado’s, if you haven’t been there. Just be sure to stay away on a Saturday or holiday! :)

    Kiss – exactly my feelings!

    The Neighbor Wife – awww, thanks!

    Ramona – I know, crazy, right?!

    Debbie – I totally agree. I mean, really, part of the allure of the cupcake is that it’s an affordable little sweet treat, but heading north of $3 is just craziness.

    Joanne – I don’t know … you’re only about 20-30 minutes away. ;) I like Crumbs better though.

    Sarah – hmm, Red Velvet, Birthday Cake flavor, Strawberry Shortcake, Fruity Pebbles and Oreo Cheesecake are a few of their “regulars” – definitely a nice mix of flavors.

    Reply
  10. Scarlett says

    October 1, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I live on the same street and go there way too often!!! They have quite a variety but my favs are Red Velvet and Snowball fight!! I did just try their new Lemon one last night and it was AMAZING! Rasberry Cheescake is my boyfriends fav…
    I kind of wish I did have to make a trip!!! We visit about once a week! When we’re being “good” we’ll get a mini. haha..

    Reply

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About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇

Pinterest

About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤
✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this ✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this one is pretty alright. ✨
Our weekend was crammed with family and fun, but e Our weekend was crammed with family and fun, but even so, I was feeling like I didn’t get enough time with my oldest. I whined a little and he offered breakfast today before he headed back to school. It was just what I needed, those little things aren’t so little. Two more weeks before I get to see him again. 💛

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