Some of the Valentine's treats available at SusieCakes.

Now I don't know about you, but I think the negative vibes towards Valentine's Day are kind of laughable. We've all heard it before. Perhaps some of you are guilty of shouting it out on a yearly basis: "Urgh, I can't wait for the day to be over--it's not like I have anyone to spend it with." That sort of thing. But what could be better than a day during the dead of winter where pinks and reds abound in all the shops and where chocolate is pushed, pedaled, and procured? I mean, c'mon. Who needs a sweetie to enjoy a jaunt through See's or Recchiuti? Or, as I learned earlier this week: SusieCakes.

SusieCakes welcoming storefront

Los Angeles-based SusieCakes has been open about a month in the Bon Air Shopping Center in Marin, and I've been meaning to visit with each passing day. I was doing errands in the area the other day and decided to stop in and see what all the fuss was about. I'd heard about their "frosting-filled cupcakes" and I thought it was a genius idea for all of us who use the cupcake as a socially acceptable excuse to eat frosting. And lots of it. What I didn't expect to find was the huge celebration of Valentine's Day in full effect--from sweet little cookies to festive whoopie pies. I took some photos (for you), I chatted with the gals to see what was good and what was flying out the door, and then--of course--I took some things home.

The "Love Shack," a special Valentine's Gingerbread House, and the adorable Conversation Heart Cookies

So let's talk about those frosting-filled cupcakes. Now I'm not sure how they do it. There's literally a dip or a groove in the top of the cupcake where a nice little shot of extra frosting lays. It's pure magic. I love their almost haphazard way of frosting each cupcake as well. It's not perfectly even and looks rather homemade, but in a generous, abundant sort-of way.

The genius that is SusieCakes' signature frosting-filled cupcakes

I tried the Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Red Velvet and the Sugar and Spice (February Special) cupcakes. You'll notice there aren't any photos of the Peanut Butter. That's because, like an eager and grubby-handed child, I ate it in the car. I just couldn't wait. Each flavor I tried was unbelievably soft and moist although I must say that I’m a bit of a Red Velvet snob, and I couldn't taste the cocoa in theirs. But the chocolate was rich in cocoa, and the Sugar & Spice cupcake had a lovely, light vanilla-sugar flavor. I made a big batch of snickerdoodles recently and the Sugar and Space tastes a lot like the classic cookie. You just look at these cupcakes and want to bring them to someone you love, or like, or appreciate, or want to make smile. They're happiness in a box, really.

I didn't try some of the other treats, although I'll be back in town this week and plan on swinging by for a whoopie pie (or a "Makin' Whoopie Pie," their current take on the old-school dessert). And while there's certainly a glut of cupcake spots in the Bay Area and while some people I know are excusing cupcakes altogether as a retired trend, there’s something special about SusieCakes. It's evident in the regulars who were strolling in before 11 a.m. on a weekday to pick up a few treats. And it's evident in their attention to homemade, old-fashioned desserts (think along the lines of Magnolia Bakery in New York but before the Sex in the City madness) with banana and butterscotch puddings, classic pies and stacked cakes. They're not trying to be anything they’re not with wacky and original flavors, but they're doing the classics incredibly well.

A good motto to live by, and a great daily selection of cupcakes

So for a little shop with a big sign deeming "Eat Cake," I don't think it much matters if you have a sweetheart or not this year. Those are words we can all take to heart.

SusieCakes
310 Bon Air Center
Bon Air Shopping Center
Greenbrae, CA 94904
Map
(415) 461-2253

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pm; Closed Sunday (although they will be open Sunday February 14th for Valentines Day).

Twitter: @Susiecakes

The Pancake Breakfast Cupcake at Cups and Cakes Bakery

If your family is anything like mine, Christmas brings about time spent together, slightly annoying and repetitive Christmas music, cookie baking, festive cocktails, and lots of treats. There are meals out, and time to meet up with old friends and extended family. And of course: the fudge and requisite boxes of See's Candy. So on the Monday following Christmas weekend, the last thing you may want to read about is a post highlighting more sweets and treats. But I couldn't resist. I discovered something that warmed my sugar-loving heart last week and I'm dying to share it with you. Here, my friends, is a really good, somewhat socially acceptable excuse to eat cupcakes for breakfast.

Now, San Francisco has its fair share of cupcake spots and most folks have already established their favorites. Whether it’s Kara's, That Takes the Cake, or the minis over at DeLessio Market and Bakery, a variety of shapes and flavors abound. However, Jennifer Emerson’s new SOMA cupcake shop, Cups and Cakes, is shaking things up a bit.

The charming and hard-to-miss pink exterior

With innovative flavors like the Art House (a ginger-beet cake with ginger cream cheese frosting and candied ginger) or the Pucker-up Pink Lemonade (tart pink lemonade cake with pink lemonade butter cream and rainbow sprinkles), there's something to inspire even the most staunch cupcake skeptic. Now often when people try and get creative with an already-good thing, the product isn't always successful. Not so with Cups and Cakes. The cupcakes are uber-moist, the cream cheese frosting is perfectly creamy and slightly tart, and the shop is cute as a button. The pink exterior lights up the rather industrial stretch of SOMA's 9th St., and inside you'll step into a bustling, pastel workshop.

Inside the open-kitchen at Cups and Cakes

But the reason I made the trip was for the Pancake Breakfast Cupcake I'd been hearing so much about. First things first: the cupcake has bacon baked right into it. That's right: you heard me correctly. I'm not talking about a mere topper; there are strips of perfectly cooked bacon throughout the actual cupcake.

Check out the small strips of bacon throughout the cupcake itself!

Technically, it's made of a maple bacon cake with a maple butter cream and topped with bits of crisp bacon. Now while I'm not so certain Jennifer designed it to actually be eaten for breakfast, I say go at it. We all have a few days yet until New Year's resolutions start and people begin flocking back to the gym and dusting off their bikes.

If you're not down with bacon in your cupcake, Jennifer stocks vanilla, chocolate and red velvet each day along with at least three additional flavors and a vegan and gluten free choice. She also uses local and organic eggs, butter, sugar, flour, and produce. Check out her menu of flavor offerings and specialty choices. And if you don't love any of the choices online (and I challenge you to not find something that strikes your fancy), Jennifer is happy to customize something to fit your personal tastes).

Cups and Cakes Bakery
451 9th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 437-CUPS (2877)
Hours: Mon., Wed.-Fri. 10am-6:30pm; closed Tuesday; Sat.-Sun: 12 pm-5pm
Twitter: @CupsCakesBakery

Note: Check website for special holiday and New Years hours.