Cupcake Camp 2011 Recap!
Cupcake Camp 2011 was a HUGE success! I was so proud to be involved in such a great event. As part of the planning committee, along with Elizabeth and Anita, we tried to incorporate feedback we got from last year’s event to make 2011 bigger and better. I think we succeeded!
Cupcake Camp was held at the Armory for the Arts in Somerville. The location was large with tables in the middle for the professional bakers and tables along the outsides for the amateurs. There was a balcony with tables for people to sit and enjoy the cupcakes they had collected. On the stage, King Arthur Flour had a setup where they did some demos and answered baking questions.
As the focal for the amateur bakers, I had fun learning about who the other bakers were and what creative things they were doing in their kitchens. I have to admit that the amateur bakers really brought it this year – especially on the creativity front. They brought a great variety of flavors that I didn’t see from the professional bakers, including cupcakes with bacon and chiles.
I brought the Frito cupcakes that I posted last week, and a mini version of the cookie dough cupcakes I posted a couple weeks ago. To make them mini, I ordered this 1.5 tsp scooper from Amazon. I used it to make the balls of frozen cookie dough and the cookie garnishes. I then used my regular cookie scoop to portion out the cupcake batter before dropping in the frozen cookie dough. I did press the cookie dough into the batter this time around since it didn’t sink down like with the full sized cupcakes.
I brought 16 dozen cupcakes (8 dozen of each flavor) and they were all gone in less than an hour – I’d say they were a success!!
I honestly didn’t eat a TON of cucpakes at Cupcake Camp. I had been snacking throughout the day while I was baking and I was being picky about which cupcakes I wanted to try.
I had a vanilla mini and part of the chocolate birthday cupcake from O’Sugar. Both were great. We also tried the cupcakes from Chocolate Tarte. I had a chocolate one and Hubby had red velvet. We both really liked these cupcakes. They were really fluffy and the frosting was great. Hubby even went back for seconds.
I didn’t try the Cupcake Mojo cupcakes since I have already had theirs, but it was good to chat with Maureen for a few minutes since she was set up at the table across from me.
We also split one of these banana’s foster cupcakes. The frosting was pretty amazing. Cara’s cute Bailey’s chocoalte chip cupcakes were also a tasty little bite.
Even with the rain and cold, we still had a great turnout. At one point I poked my head outside to see if there was a line, and sure enough, there was! While Cupcake Camp was free, we did take donations. We raised over $2300 for Lovin’ Spoonfuls thanks to the generous donations of the people in attendance!
I had a blast and can’t wait for Cupcake Camp 2012. Hopefully it will be even bigger and better than this year. If anyone has feedback about the event, feel free to let us know! You can email us at BostonCupcakeCamp@gmail.com or just leave a comment here and I’ll make sure it gets documented.
We also set up a flickr pool for people to upload their pictures from the evening. Please check it out for the collection of photos and to add your own!
Thanks to all of you who came and introduced yourselves! I loved getting the chance to chat with some of my readers.
Don’t forget about Bloggers Bake for Hope – Bloggers Bake. You Bid. 100% of proceeds go to Komen for a Cure. Register to bake by April 30th, come back for bidding May 4-6.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Thank you so much for sharing Jen! I completely understand where you’re coming from and how you feel…do nice things for yourself
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 8:50 am
You do the same Fiona
Thank you so much for sharing. This is UNREAL. My husband Jeff ran the Boston Marathon this year, and I spent the day traveling around on the T watching the marathon with my in-laws. We ended the day just a block from the blast sites – I shared my story here: http://decoratethis.blogspot.com/2013/04/bittersweet.html; Jeff’s story here: http://iwasbornready.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-2013-boston-marathon.html.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your and Jeff’s stories. What a day you guys had. I’m glad you’re safe.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I added these links to the body of the post.
It definitely does help to put some words together. And I feel the same way- even though I was volunteering at the 10k, i can’t help but wonder why wasn’t i volunteering at the finish line so I could’ve helped?
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I agree – it was therapeutic to write this up.
Thanks for sharing Jen. I haven’t lived in Boston for 4 years now, but my husband and I had a similar reaction. We both wanted to get “home” to the city we love, a city that becomes part of your being no matter where you go next.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:11 pm
I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Living in Boston leaves such a strong impression…
I’m a longtime reader, first time commenter. First I want to give you big virtual hugs regarding the events in Boston. Your feelings are no less valid, no less important. My heart goes out to you. Also, I want to say, welcome to Cincinnati! I live east of the city and am a transplant from Seattle. Cincy is growing on me, and slowly but surely I’m starting to tell people that I’m from Ohio not Washington. 🙂 Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Jen – thanks so much for commenting. I realize that at some point I’ll say I’m from Ohio, but the events of this week just my my heart tied even tighter to Boston…
I’m so glad all of your Boston people are safe. I can completely relate to your feelings of helplessness, I felt the same way after 9/11. It’s hard to be away from family and friends and a city that you love when tragedy strikes.
Big hugs for you and your crew.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Thanks Jene. I’m sure it’s very similar to how you felt around 9/11.
I feel the same way–Boston was my home for four years of college. I love that city. I feel like it is MY city. I wish I was there, locked in with friends, watching the news and hugging them. I feel so helpless on the other side of the state, so far away.
As soon as I’m able I’m going to the city and having a moment in the Common before heading to all my favorite places. My heart aches for the city, I wish I was there.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way. We are trying to make plans to get back to the city sometime soon as well.
Oh I so know how you feel.. I live in Michigan. I’ve been here for almost 10 years, and I still call Boston home. It’ll always be home to me. You’re not alone!
beantownbaker — April 21st, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
Glad to hear I’m not the only one. I definitely think Boston will always feel like home to both me and Hubby.
I know exactly how you feel – I am a 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech. I was at work when the April 16th incident happened in Blacksburg, and I felt SO far away, and SO hopeless – the only place I wanted to be was in my beloved Blacksburg.
To make matters worse, I flew to Missouri the next day (for work) for 3.5 weeks. It seemed that the people out there had ALREADY moved on from the tragedy – it just made NO sense to me. I cried most of those 3 weeks, and since I was out there by myself it was a struggle.
I have always loved Boston, and I know that that community will love and support one another, just as Blacksburg did (and still does). It was the sixth anniversary this past Tuesday, and with everything happening in Boston, and the thoughts of VT and Blacksburg, it was an extremely long and tiring week.
Stay strong.
beantownbaker — April 22nd, 2013 @ 11:46 am
That sounds like a horrible situation for you in the aftermath of the VTech tragedy. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story.