Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off!

So, I know I technically don't have to post on weekends for this veganmofo thing. But 31 days of cupcakes has a way better ring than adding "less weekends" to it does.
Besides, today is an awesome day! In honour of world Vegetarian day, the Toronto Vegetarian Association is having a vegan bake off. Last year I was a runner up, and it really inspired me to kick my baking up a notch.
My offering this year is my Lumberjack's Breakfast Cupcake.
Now, the thing you need to understand is that this cupcake began as a joke. Omni's have been on this insane kick lately where they'll put bacon in, or on, anything. Really anything. My boyfriend came home one day talking about chocolate chip and bacon cookies. And I thought...that is the least vegan thing I've ever heard. But it sounds awesome.
I admit, i used to really like bacon, back in the pregan days. And the idea of something sweet, with something salty and crispy? Aghghghgh... (that's me making Homer Simpson's drool noise.)
So I decided to see if there was any way I could possibly make this vegan acceptable. Really, i was just thinking of mixing sweet and salty, but then someone mentioned on the ppk (post punk kitchen)forums that bac-o's are vegan, and my idea came to life. A little like Frankenstein's moster.
I have to admit, i don't expect to win any prizes for this. It's a bit wierd by most people's standards, and I don't find bac-o's the prettiest topping, but I promise you, this is the most amazing flavour combination. Salty, sweet, crispy, and yet soft and moist. Think of it as a really good breakfast. Coffee cake, real maple syrup buttercream, and yep, "bacon" bit topping.

Kupcakery in Cabbagetown=Amazing!

I had a blast doing a cupcake sale in Cabbagetown, with much thanks to my friend Kate and her family for giving me a space to operate, and kindly ferrying me and my 10 dozen(!) cupcakes across town last saturday. It was a huge success, with every last cake sold, and loads of positive feedback.
The only downside of the day (well, aside from the fact that i got a bit of sunstroke from standing out in the heat all day)was that my camera's battery died, so I didn't get any photos myself. However, a few different people took pictures and my card with promises to share later. The photo at left is from David O, and I thank him very much, especially because it's lovely!
I ended up with seven flavours on offer, and the first to sell out was the one I just invented and least expected--Lumberjack's Breakfast. It's a coffee-flavoured cake with real maple syrup buttercream...and "bacon" bits. I really wanted to try a vegan spin on the "bacon on everything" craze that's been sweeping the omnivore food scene, and it came off better than i could have hoped, with a sweet/salty/soft/crunchy combo that...um...may make me gain a few pounds, and happily.
A huge number of people have asked where my shop is located...if you're one of them, for the time being, it is located right here. All my cakes are small batch baked in my home, until such time as I can command enough of a following to open up a wee shop of my own. JUst call or email, and I'm at your cupcake command!