Hot Chocolate from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe in Orem, Utah
It’s a special Valentine-sie love week over here at Utah Loves Cupcakes. Four lucky ULC readers will win a $25 gift certificate to The Chocolate Dessert Cafe. You can enter to win on this post. Hurry–deadline to enter is Saturday, February 11 at 10 pm MST.
There are so many treats I love from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe, it was hard to know what treat to write about next. Then I was inspired by the Chocolate I.Q. Quiz in Food Network Magazine (The Chocolate Issue). By the way, I rocked that quiz. By the way, I love Food Network Magazine. And by the way, I’m off topic.
Question number 14 on the quiz was “Who invented hot chocolate?” My vast knowledge of chocolate and anthropology told my brain it twas the Mayans. (Really, though, who doesn’t know that? If you love chocolate and don’t know that, shame on you.) The Mayans are most often credited with what is called drinking chocolate.
The Chocolate’s Hot Chocolate (am I sounding redundant yet?) would make the Mayans proud and at the same time please our American palates and tummies. (You know what I’m talking about…those hot chocolates that you feel like you are drinking a melted candy bar and then realize, I might as well be injecting this in my veins.)
What I’m trying to say, is The Chocolate Dessert Cafe‘s Hot Chocolate (redundant again?) finds a great balance between European drinking chocolate and that watery American hot chocolate loved by many 7-11 frequenters (you know who you are…and not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Here’s the deal with @TheChoco’s hot chocolate: It’s made fresh and made to order with their own secret chocolate sauce. It comes in different flavors like regular (nothing added to their chocolate sauce and it’s far better than any other regular hot chocolate), mint, hazelnut and spice. The Chocolate purveys gourmet syrups and has tested the perfect ratio for their mint and hazelnut.
Then there’s their Spice Hot Chocolate…it’s my favorite flavor. It’s known by us regulars as “Christmas in a Cup.” It’s filled with The Chocolate’s own blend of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and maybe more…right to your cup. From the first sip you are immediately transported to the holidays, all cuddled up in a warm sweater and family laughter.
The Chocolate even throws in some seasonal special flavors. Right now you can try Raspberry Hot Chocolate (which was divine) and Caramel Pecan Hot Chocolate. Chocolate and my favorite nut? Yes, please!
To finish it off and in the words of The Chocolate’s owner, “All our hot chocolates are topped off with real whipped cream and voila…drankened!”
And one last thing. If you don’t have time to hang out and drink your hot chocolate in these adorable mugs, you can get it to go. I recommend this. You can just sip, sip the day away anywhere you want to be.
Have you ever tried The Chocolate Dessert Cafe’s hot chocolate? Which is your favorite flavor?
The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
Orem & West Jordan, Utah
thechocolatedc.com
Hours and Addresses, here.
Pricing, here.
@TheChoco on Twitter
The Chocolate on Facebook
Cupcake To-Go Packaging
One of the beauties of the cupcake is that it is easily transportable and a great on-the-go dessert. But depending on how your local cupcakery packages it for you, you may have some problems. The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe in Provo, Utah has definitely done cupcake to-go packaging right. Check it out:
Here we have the Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake cupcake from The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe.
I ordered it to go one day and was super impressed with how they packaged that cupcake up. It even included a fork and napkin–how kind! (Now I know what you are thinking, who needs a fork with their cupcake? Well dear, you do: if you are eating a giant cupcake from The Cocoa Bean. The Cocoa Bean realizes that and goes the extra step in giving their customers that fork.) It’s all in the details, friends…details!
Kudos to The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe!
The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cupcake Cafe
1774 North University Parkway#20
Provo, Utah
Hours:
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Mon-Thur
8 a.m. – midnight Fri-Sat.
Utah Cupcake Flavors: Party in My Mouth
Flavor: Party in My Mouth
Made of: Gooey chocolate indulgence full of chocolate (of course), caramel, vanilla frosting and more chocolate in drizzle form. A super-moist cupcake. Grab a fork and a friend because this cupcake is rich and fun to share.
Where: The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe (Provo, Utah)
How much: $3
The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cupcake Cafe
1774 North University Parkway#20
Provo, Utah
Hours:
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Mon-Thur
8 a.m. – midnight Fri-Sat.
Cookies and Cream Cupcake from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe in Orem
I tried The Chocolate Dessert Cafe’s Cookies and Cream cupcake today (in mini form). I loved it!
This is the perfect midweek, mid-day snack! A mini (they call them baby cakes) cupcake from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe in Orem, Utah.
The cake was ultra moist today with their delicious chocolate flavor. Take a look at the top of the cupcake…and the ridge as I call it. It creates the coolest toothsome texture!
The frosting is ridiculously good! So comforting and smooth. Reminds me of a cookies and cream ice cream milk shake (from the BYU Creamery) but lighter!
To top it all off? A chocolate cookie crumb. Brings an extra crunch that creates balance between all the different textures going on in this mini cupcake.
price is awesome too! $1!
by the way peeps. it’s Wednesday, which means it’s LADIES NIGHT at The Chocolate.
Have you tried this cupcake? How did you like it?
The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
212 South State in Orem
Hours: Monday – Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm
**Ladies Night: EVERY WEDNESDAY from 8pm-11pm
Web: http://thechocolatedc.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thechoco
Twitter:http://twitter.com/TheChoco
Blog: http://www.thechocolatedc.com/blog/
Phone: 801-224-7334
Learn more about The Chocolate and owner Ange in this great article in The Daily Herald.
***This review is based on The Chocolate Dessert Cafe’s cookies and cream cupcake I purchased on March 17, 2010 only. Opinions subject to change. ***
Saint Patrick’s Day Cupcakes with Shamrock Toppers
Valentine’s Day is over…and we move on to Saint Patrick’s Day cupcakes!
Green, Irish Cream and shamrocks. Can’t wait! Here’s some St. Patrick Day cupcakes from Cupcake Chic in Springville, Utah.
Mini chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting, topped with shamrock wafers.
Regular-sized cupcake – chocolate cake with a light mint butter cream frosting! Topped with shamrock sprinkles!
Cupcake Chic
Web site: http://www.cupcakechicutah.com/
Blog: http://cupcakechicutah.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cupcakechic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Springville-Utah/Cupcake-Chic/58319532115
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cupcakechic/
The Ogre Cupcake – Flour Girls and Dough Boys in American Fork, Utah
The Ogre Cupcake – Flour Girls and Dough Boys in American Fork, Utah
My husband loved this cupcake. I on the other hand am discovering I have mega-issues with jumbo/giant-sized cupcakes. Sometimes big is too big.
But, the frosting was good. ..and the cake wasn’t too bad either. i think i just get overwhelmed with the size.
…ps i HAVE to give a shout out for this place’s soup and bread. it is KILLER!
Flour Girls and Dough Boys
www.flourgirlsdoughboys.com
35 Barratt ave
American Fork, UT 84003
8017639232
Carlucci’s Bakery – Chocolate Cupcake
I ate this cupcake back in October. It’s the chocolate cupcake with ganache from Carlucci’s Bakery in Salt Lake City. A funny story revolves around my trying it…I’ll have to tell ya bout it soon. For now, I just wanted to post it because…well, I like the picture.
Info about Carlucci’s Bakery via their site:
Carlucci’s Bakery is a family-owned and operated business that’s been a cornerstone of the Caputo’s Pioneer Marketplace since it opened November 2001. Since then we have been consistently recognized both locally and nationally as one of the best bakery’s in the area, receiving the “Best Bakery in Salt Lake 2009 Award” from City Weekly. We have also been recognized in the New York Times, 36 hours in Salt Lake City article for our tomato basil soup. Just to name a few.
Carlucci’s Bakery
Web: www.carluccisbakery.com
Phone: (801) 366-4484
Address: 314 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
The Perfect Cupcake Scene
One of my many recent trips to The Chocolate Dessert Cafe in Orem.
This was during a fun sampling I had with some local foodies. Seriously, if you go try their spiced hot chocolate and a Chocolate with Caramel cupcake (my favorite!).
The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
212 South State in Orem
Hours: 10am-10pm (for now, I believe)
Web: http://thechocolatedc.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thechoco
Twitter:http://twitter.com/TheChoco
Blog: http://www.thechocolatedc.com/blog/
Phone: 801-224-7334
Learn more about The Chocolate and owner Ange in this great article in The Daily Herald.
Beautifully Bedazzled Cupcake
photo via Sweeten Your Day
love how this cupcake is bedazzled with so many edible sugar pearls and such!
plus i have an affinity to chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!
Holiday Cupcake by Cravings
I always used to say I’m not a mint and chocolate kind of gal… but lately I’ve enjoyed this classic combination.
I’d love to try this Mint Chocolate Cupcake with Andy’s mints and a hint of mint on the chocolate frosting by Cravings–Alisha’s Cupcakes in Pleasant Grove. She says, “It just taste like Christmas!”
Yum!
Cravings–Alisha’s Cupcakes!
Pleasant Grove, Utah
(602) 463-0203*
Blog: http://cravings-alishascupcakes.blogspot.com/
Mirror, mirror on the wall…
Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who’s the fairest cupcake of them all!
I stopped by The Chocolate Dessert Cafe again today to pick up some mini cupcakes today for a Christmas party (The Chocolate calls them ‘babycakes’).
Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample The Chocolate’s newest seasonal flavor: chocolate peppermint!
It was a delicious holiday flavor. It was a great balance of the chocolate and peppermint, paired perfectly. The peppermint was apparent, but not cheap nor strong. It cooled my mouth, yet made my tastebuds beg for more chocolate. I loved it. I dare say I’d take this cupcake over my faved Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark.
I’m telling ya, friend. I hope you’ll have the chance to stop by Utah’s newest cupcake bakery and dessert cafe. You’ll be seeing lots more of my experiences at The Chocolate…so beware because it’s dangerously close to me! 
The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
212 South State in Orem
Hours: 10am-10pm (for now, I believe)
Web: http://thechocolatedc.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thechoco
Twitter:http://twitter.com/TheChoco
Blog: http://www.thechocolatedc.com/blog/
Learn more about The Chocolate and owner Ange in this great article in The Daily Herald.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Candy Cane Frosting!
It’s time for some festive and delicious cupcaking!
Check out these Chocolate Cupcakes with Candy Cane Frosting by Elle CUpcake! She used a vegan vanilla frosting recipe and added peppermint.
Yum…I want to try!
Chocolate Cupcakes on a cute Halloween Witch Platter!
These are the chocolate cupcakes I made for a Halloween potluck in 2008.
The recipe comes from my cookbook, “Cupcakes” by Shelly Kaldunski.
They were the most fudgy cupcakes I’ve had and more like brownies
I made them in pastel mini silicups from Williams-Sonoma and topped them with Nutella.
Don’t you love my witch hat platter? I bought it the day before Halloween for like 60% off at Evan’s GateHouse.
Fall Flavors – Cupcake Chic
A few weeks ago Cupcake Chic announced via twitter that they were developing some new cupcake flavors for fall. (See the joys of twitter! You really stay in the know and get the behind-the-scenes scoop with these cupcakeries).
Anyway…we chatted a bit and before you know it I was gladly accepting a chance to sample and review their three cupcake flavors for fall. Two flavors are new and one flavor (pumpkin) was no stranger to me! here’s a look inside:
One thing I love about this mother-daughter cupcake business is their really defined look! I love the packaging and love how I can spot a cupcake chic cupcake from a mile away. (see picture below)
Cupcake Chic’s look to their cupcake is always consistent. So here’s what I received. Two pumpkin cupcakes, one caramel apple cupcake and one chocolate orange cupcake.
Let’s start out with my favorite of the bunch. I couldn’t get over how cool this cupcake was and how it screamed fall! When I think of fall and food and baking…my mind automatically flees towards apples. And how many of us have memories of caramel apples.
Well now we can can continue to have them in cupcake form!
The cake itself was true to Cupcake Chic’s dense, moist form yet it was a little more aromatic and with surprises of apple chunks. I was happy the apple chunks weren’t mushy or crunchy…they were perfect.
Now moving onto the caramel apple cupcake frosting. it was almost marshmallowy–i consider it a sister to cupcake chic’s s’mores cupcake frosting! and the icing on the cake, or rather the drizzle on the frosting is a delicious caramel. oh my. it gets a bit sticky but worth it!
Next PUMPKIN!
the pumpkin cupcake was probably the first flavor i tried of cupcake chis last year at this time. i was uber impressed. it’s a lightly spiced pumpkin cake with spiced cream cheese frosting.
i can honestly say i would take this cupcake over a slice of pumpkin pie on thanksgiving.
Doesn’t that frosting look delish! it’s got all the spices of fall! yet still subtle and comforting.
Next up…Chocolate Orange
I love Cupcake Chic’s dark chocolate cake. So i knew that was a winner. But how would it be paired with a zesty orange frosting? I might be the wrong person to ask…because for some reason i sorta have off and on issues with orange zest. But um…I still ate it (well shared it with a cute husband)
Moral of this post: head on out to get Cupcake Chic’s Fall Flavors. If you try one flavor try both pumpkin and caramel apple! (yeah, that’s a joke…i know that’s two flavors.)
And in big news: Cupcake Chic Cupcakes can now be purchased at the BYU Bookstore!
Cupcake Chic
Web site: http://www.cupcakechicutah.com/
Blog: http://cupcakechicutah.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cupcakechic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Springville-Utah/Cupcake-Chic/58319532115
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cupcakechic/
My two favorite cupcakes from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
Lemon Curd & Chocolate with Caramel Cupcakes from The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
The two best cupcake flavors at The Chocolate Dessert Cafe, in my opinion, are the Chocolate with Caramel and Lemon Curd cupcakes. I find them both very yummy. Salt and Caramel is a kicking combo. And I’ll do anything to get my hands on a great homemade lemon curd!
Speaking of The Chocolate. Owner Ange, is getting ready to open up a storefront. But in the meantime she is traveling around the country doing some bakery/cupcake research for her store. I think this is absolutely cool and smart! Check our The Chocolate’s blog for more information about her travels!
WHATCHAMACALLIT Cupcakes
WHATCHAMACALLIT candy bars were a childhood favorite of mine. I’m sure I would love these WHATCHAMACALLIT cupcakes created by Cravings in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Pretty Gum Paste Flower Cupcakes
Our newest flickr group member, windy_sydney just added these lovelies to our Utah Loves Cupcakes Flickr group. The cupcakes are dark chocolate with a coconut center. She blogged about it here, and apparently it was her first attempt at gum paste flowers…nice work!
originally uploaded by flickr user windy_sydney
Huckleberry Bliss
I’d like to try these huckleberry bliss cupcakes by Layton’s CutsieCakes! They’re described as a moist chocolate cake infused with huckleberry syrup then topped with a fresh huckleberry glaze . At the moment, Cutsie Cakes is an out-of-home custom cupcake business but they should be opening their doors (in Layton) come late summer!
About
hi. my name is becky.
i love utah and i love cupcakes.
it really is just that simple.
this blog is a place where utah and cupcakes come together.
i scope out all the latest cupcake news in utah. visit utah cupcakeries. review cupcake bakeries and cupcake-related items. i post cupcake recipes and ideas from other utah cupcake enthusiasts. i also travel to eat cupcakes and tell you about my adventures.
i hope you will join me in this journey. i can’t tell you how much i love to support local, how much i love eating quality cupcakes, meeting fun and interesting bakery owners and seeing their stores succeed and um…having fun!
cupcakes are here to stay! they are a tradition and not a trend!
join our flickr group, email me the latest on your cupcake baking and cupcake seeking adventures…we are bound to have a great time.
I also blog at Project Domestication — where you can see my personal baking adventures!
-becky
***For more about my story and love of cupcakes, read my guest blog post on Cupcakes Take The Cake!***
I contribute to the Sweet Life!
Chocolate Caramel Cupcake
Vanilla Cupcake Week
