75 9th Avenue

If you really want to take your party to the next level, bust out a small army of cat head cupcakes! Shaun was awesome enough to pick these up from Ruthy’s – the bakery with all the wild cookie monster cakes at Chelsea Market. As a lover of icing and cats, there really is nothing better than this, though even me, with a monster sweet tooth had to eat one in two sittings. The head is full of an icing/cake mixture that is not for the faint of heart when it comes to sugar rushes. Seriously, these were the coolest party surprise ever. Ruthy’s can make custom ones to bring delight to your loved ones too even if they’re not cat ladies.

Click here to see the rest of Cat Head Cupcakes from Ruthy’s Bakery

158 Bedford Avenue

This delicious, moist slice of banana walnut bread is not the first baked good from El Beit, the gourmet Bedford Ave coffee shop, that has made my day. Another day offered a candied ginger version that was divine. I am pretty sure the breads are house made and they do tend to sell out, a hard fact I learned one day trying to get some much later in the day. I wish I could take home entire loaves.

in the Chelsea Market

As you can tell from all the photos I’ve been sent from Shaun, People’s Pops, located in the Chelsea Market, is his new obsession and subsequently, mine. Can you think of a more refreshing sweet than fresh local fruit popsicles with winning combinations like raspberry/mint, strawberry/rhubarb,  yellow plum/mint and apricot/cardamom? I was so jealous of Shaun’s many visits and finally went myself the other day. I ordered the apricot/cardamom at the counter guy’s recommendation and it was out of this world. Future days in the city will revolve around a stop by this place for the rest of the summer.

Click here to see the rest of People’s Pops

from Mommy’s Kitchen Blog

That old American classic, the Bill Cosby endorsed pudding pop – where did it go?? Well, no need for panic, they can easily be made at home by simply freezing in paper cups.

In Season

If you want to literally make your life (or at least a few moments) a bowl of cherries, there couldn’t be a better time. Cherry season is coming upon us, and nothing says summertime quite like the red stain on your fingertips and lips from the naturally sweet dessert which has been consumed since prehistoric time. Add some Cool Whip for dipping.

424 W 43rd St and 295 Greenwich St.

Our weekly Dungeons and Dragons games allow for lots of sharing of treats and recently our friend Joey brought along a wonderfully gooey Mississippi Mud Pie creation from the Little Pie Company, which has two locations in Manhattan. Made from scratch with fresh ingredients the pie makers have been in business since 1985, no small feat for any business, let alone a specialty store in the city but with pies this good, it’s little wonder they’ve become a new classic. I’ve also heard that end of the day, they offer discounts on their unsold goodies.

I will not resist the urge to spout a local newsworthy quip that the Little Pie Company is big on taste.

Italian Ices

When Uncle Louis G’s opened in Williamsburg down the street from my very favorite Italian ice shop, Ralph’s (who features a larger selection of the cream ice flavors) I thought it would work out fine for everyone involved. But in the summer sweet turf war, Ralph’s fell and Uncle Louis G’s was left standing.

So, to the victors go the spoils. I’ve already stopped by the shop a couple times this season, before summer’s even arrived (though the weather doesn’t seem to know it) for some vanilla chip. Once even opting (because I am pregnant and can) for a pint to bring back to the fridge to enjoy over several days.

The family run Williamsburg location also features an awesome head shot of the young man who scoops your ice cream for you, while the Park Slope location is convenient to the park, features an almost mockingly torturous black metal bench to sit on that gets scorching hot in any weather nice enough to enjoy an Italian ice in.

Easter Treat

I am shocked, even disgusted that I’ve failed to praise my favorite holiday candy on this blog before! Peeps are possibly the best thing about Spring and I’ve been craving them like crazy the past few weeks. I’ve eaten all the ones that were in the house, so I borrowed the photo from the Brooklyn Public Library blog. Be sure to take a peek at this week’s Peep themed laugh.

from Montana

Pomegranate, sea salt and chipotle oh my! Not necessarily the flavors you associated with caramel but the award winning artisan caramel maker Robin Bequet from Montana thinks inventively when it comes to her soft sweet candies that friend Jessica was gracious enough to give me a box of for my birthday. They are spectacular.