Cheryl Porro has a blog called Cupcake Bakeshop, and yes, it focuses specifically on cupcakes. As if baking weren’t specific enough, we’ve now entered extreme niche territory. Cupcake Bakeshop is structured as an online interactive cupcake cookbook, with step-by-step photos of Cheryl’s techniques and processes. It’s enticing, extremely helpful and engaging. I personally love to bake but have been in hiatus for quite a while. But when I stumbled upon Cupcake Bakeshop, I was totally inspired and couldn’t wait to try out Cheryl’s recipes. I just wondered if I could make my cupcakes look as beautiful as hers.
Sticking to the single topic of cupcakes has enabled Cheryl to branch out with new flavor combinations, ingredients and techniques. This is what I find fascinating about her blog. I’m tired of the staple cupcake flavors around town, but Cheryl has opened the door to making playful combinations. Some recent posts: Vietnamese coffee cupcake, chocolate cupcakes with chestnut-fromage blanc frosting and Madeira wine glaze, ube cupcake with bubble buttercream and lemongrass cupcake with coconut-lemongrass buttercream. As I’m writing, not only is my mouth watering, but my hands are also itching to stop typing and go play in the kitchen.
