"big sugar" is beyond sweet

my best friend is getting married in november, and today we stopped at our favorite california sweet spot, big sugar bakeshop, to get some cupcakes and to place an order for her wedding.

for anyone who hasn't jumped on the gourmet cupcake craze of the last three years, big sugar is probably the best cupcake i have ever tasted, and this includes the famed magnolia bakery in manhattan, at which i once ate six in one day.

the best thing about big sugar is that their cakes are not actually that sugary, unlike other cakes spots in los angeles that treat their cake as an excuse for their toothache-inducing icing.

big sugar cupcakes are light and creamy — like sweet little clouds. you can have half a dozen and not even feel it. red velvet is moist and heavenly, peanut butter and chocolate is addictive, and the simple vanilla cupcake makes me want to get married all over again just for the excuse to eat an entire plate of them.

if you're planning your own wedding and want to add a fresh, modern, casual twist to your dessert table, you might consider a a few tiers of these uncommonly delicate little gems.

mmm, i think i need another half dozen...

pink cake box

okay, brides and planners. take note:

if you live in the new york metropolitan area and are getting married — or you're having a fabulous event of any other kind — consider pink cake box for your sweet offerings.

anne heap of pink cake box is young, hip, fashionable, friendly, and makes absoutely stunning cakes that taste like a million bucks (that metaphor is all wrong, but you get the point).

my sister got married a little over two years ago in cape may, new jersey, and i hired anne to create a beach-themed, sugar-seashell-and-fondant-covered cake for the over-the-top bridal shower i was planning. i searched high and low, and without question, pink cake box stood out as the baker to beat.

how was the overall experience? gorgeous. easy. delicious.

to this day, those are the first three things that come to mind when i think back to that cake. i've come across anne's company again recently, as she has been gaining fame and success in the years since i first met her.

like paper olive, pink cake box was chosen as a 2008 pick in the knot weddings magazine 2008 best of weddings issue. it must be kismet.

elegant bride, modern bride, instyle weddings, new jersey bride... i was impressed by her two years ago and i'm glad to see that so many others have discovered her charm and genius.

congrats, anne. :o)