Checking in with More Great Cakes...

It's been a busy, busy time at the Beanstalk.  We've been churning out all of our day-to-day bakery case desserts, along with a whole crop of fantastic special occasion cakes.  We've enjoyed a host of fall flavors (pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry crumb cake) as well as homemade syrups to enhance all of our beverages.  We have hot apple cider with caramel and cinnamon, and we make our own pumpkin spice syrup and holiday spice syrup.  Now that winter is upon us, we are working on some homemade peppermint syrup.. hello mint mocha lattes!!    We also have eggnog lattes, gingerbread cake, and lemon pound cake with lemon cream cheese icing... the chillier months are delicious!
Check out our cakes:

 Girly and delicious.  1/2 sheet  chocolate chip pound cake with chocolate glaze.  

 This is our 10" round chocolate chip pound cake with chocolate glaze.

 A soft and delicious vanilla iced smash cake for a robot-themed first birthday.

Lots of awesome cupcakes for the robot birthday party!

More chocolate glazed birthday goodness. 

 This is our chocolate glazed chocolate chip pound cake loaf.  Perfect for smaller gatherings!

10" round red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.  YUMMM. 

Another chocolate chip pound loaf, served up as a surprise right in our shop! 

 Elmo is made of chocolate chip pound cake and LOTS of icing!

Carrot cake, cream cheese icing, and a very special birthday.   

WORDS TO LIVE BY.  

If We Knew You Were Coming...

We'd Have Baked You A Cake!  Check out some of the awesome cakes we have baked and decorated in recent months...

a love of math and wizardry makes for a highly personalized birthday cake

 love for Phillies, fathers, and red velvet cake with cream cheese icing

so simple and cute.  a strawberry banana pound cake with chocolate glaze 

rockin' vanilla birthday cupcakes 

this cake was lots of fun to conceive! 

 lots of accomplishments should always be celebrated with lots of cake

 what's better than a medicare card on a cake to remind you that you're the big 6-5?

teachers have birthdays too :-)

they also have shore houses!  and sometimes, when they're 

very lucky, they get TWO birthday cakes!

a groom's cake.. half sheet size and made of "orange velvet"... go hurricanes! 

a pet portrait on a pound cake :-)

Can't wait to see what you all need next!  We have so much fun with this!

Buy Fresh, Buy LOCAL

  We recently had a chance to spend a day exploring small food businesses out in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  In an effort to provide Dan with a "surprise day", I (Jenn) booked a day trip with Bucks County Food Tours, an awesome company that provides tours of various food establishments all over Bucks County.  You can choose a "theme" for your tour from a list of suggested itineraries.   We set out with our guide for a tour focused on ice cream and desserts... what could be better than that?  We made four stops all over Bucks County and the overwhelming theme and vibe of our experience was simple:  we met people who were truly passionate about what they do.  About providing high quality.  About freshness.  About customer service.  About quality of life.  About using local products to then provide delicious food to the local people.  To spend a day not only enjoying delicious food, but also meeting like-minded people was fantastic.  Being such a new business, we were able to garner ideas about steps to take in the future, as well as to be inspired by other people who are following their dreams every day and with every customer that they serve.  Cake and the Beanstalk is fulfilling our dream every day of serving up homemade desserts in a comfortable atmosphere, and ultimately, making people happy. 
    Here are the awesome people we had a chance to meet:

• Birchwood Farms  http://www.birchwoodfarmdairy.com/

  family owned and operated farm that specializes in raw milk and makes its own ice cream... we checked out all the cows in the pasture in the pouring rain... good times!

• Crossroads Bake Shop http://www.crossroadsbakeshop.com/

  landmark bakery in Doylestown with a huge selection of fresh baked breads and pastries

• Down to Earth Cafe  http://www.thedowntoearthcafe.com/

  a great lunch spot that uses lots of locally sourced ingredients (he even has his own garden within view of the cafe)

• OwowCow Creamery  http://www.facebook.com/pages/OwowCow-Creamery/100461438753

  artisan ice cream with a HUGE variety of flavors... it was so cool to go behind the scenes and see how ice cream is made... we had chocolate covered pretzel, blackberry, and I HATE CHOCOLATE! (named such because chocolate used to be a difficult flavor to produce) 

• Bucks County Food Tours http://buckscountyfoodtours.com/

  you should go!  :)

Our Sweet and Savory Menu... Check it Out!

All of our desserts are baked in-house and our options vary

daily.  We serve Chestnut Hill Coffee and Remedy Tea.                                      

                                    Cakes

                                                                        Slice                                  Whole

Banana Chocolate Walnut Cake                         3.25                                35.

                   with chocolate glaze

Blueberry Crumb Cake                                       2.50                                    20.

Cheesecake w/ Choc. Nut Cookie Crust            4.25                                    35.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake Loaf                        3.                                       25.

                   with chocolate glaze           

Flourless Chocolate Cake (gluten-free)            2.50                                    25.

Jewish Apple Cake                                                3.                                      25.

Lemon Pound Cake Loaf                                    3.                                        25.

                   with lemon cream cheese icing

Pecan Coffee Cake                                                2.50                                20.

Strawberry Pound Cake Loaf                               2.50                                20.

                                       Sweet Treats

                     Mix and match for a delicious dessert tray!

Blondies with Rotating Mix-ins                                               2.50

   (Oreos * m&m’s * coconut * Reese’s Pieces)

Brownies (with or without walnuts)                                         2.50           

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies                                       5 cookies for 2.

Chocolate Tree Nut Cookies                                               5 cookies for 2.

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies                            a dollar a cookie!

Simply Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies                          a dollar a cookie!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies                                           3 cookies for 2. 

                      Cupcakes

                                                                        Single      a dozen or more

Carrot Cake w/ cream cheese icing                        2.50             2. each

Chocolate w/ chocolate icing                                           2.50              2. each

Red Velvet w/ cream cheese icing                                  2.50              2. each

Vanilla w/ vanilla icing                                                      2.50              2. each

          Celebration Cakes

    Writing and decoration is included in the price of your order.

                                                                        10” round     Half Sheet

Carrot Cake w/ cream cheese icing                              35.             60.

Chocolate Cake w/ chocolate icing                                        35.             60.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake w/ chocolate glaze             35.             60.           

Lemon Pound Cake w/ lemon cream cheese icing             35.              60.

Red Velvet Cake w/ cream cheese icing                              35.              60.

If you are interested in a whole cake or a selection of smaller treats

or cupcakes, we kindly request 48 hours notice.  On short notice, we will

do our best to meet your needs.  If you have a dessert idea that you do not

see on our menu, please talk to us.   We look forward to working with you! 

                   Paninis              

    All paninis are prepared on ciabatta or multigrain bread from Le Bus.

Chicken, Mozzarella, Roasted Red Pepper and Basil                          6.50

Portobello mushroom, Mozzarella, Roasted Red Pepper and Basil    6.50

Prices Do Not Include Tax

Prices subject to change without notice

A Real Beanstalk

We at Cake and the Beanstalk are so very lucky to be right next to one of Philadelphia's beautiful community gardens, Sartain Garden.  Having been in our space since March we have had the chance to see the magnificent transformations that have been occurring in the garden right outside our dining room windows.  What was quiet and predominantly dirt in the winter has transformed into such a lush, beautiful summer garden that is enjoyed by Beanstalk patrons in our dining room every single day.  We have spotted herbs, vegetables, flowers... not having the most green thumbs ourselves, we are so impressed by the phenomenal work done by the dedicated gardeners who each have a patch in the community garden.  We also have a back patio here at the Beanstalk- you can sit practically right inside the gorgeous garden!  Next time you stop by our shop, make sure you check out our outdoor seating... that's where we captured these sunflowers!
    Here's a shot of the gorgeous mural that serves as the backdrop to Sartain Garden.  Doesn't it seem like that beautiful tree is popping out of the mural?

The mural is the wonderful work of Philadelphia muralist David Guinn.  It seems like yesterday that we catered the dedication ceremony for the new mural, but it was quite cold that afternoon.  There's a high of about 98 today, so I guess a few months really have gone by!

And now... the Beanstalk!  Check out what else we spotted in the garden:

Keep in mind that that is the top of our back patio fence, so we've really got ourselves quite the stalk :)

One last photo op:

The apron is off!  Time to go home for the day (don't forget the hat!)

Cake Decorating Photos

Here are a few of the fun cakes we have churned out recently:  

a chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting, Oreo dirt, and gummy worms 

for a garden-themed 4th birthday bash

                                              

                                                  red velvet cake with cream cheese icing

strawberry pound cake with chocolate glaze

a bridal shower cake with a purple and yellow color scheme and lots of colorful candy to help decorate- the cake is a 14x9" chocolate chip pound cake with vanilla icing

                   we made 32 pirate themed birthday cupcakes- vanilla cake with vanilla frosting,
                           chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, and a whole lot of pirate style

 

"out of this world" birthday cupcakes- same flavor combinations as above 

What will we make next?

The Latest and Greatest

It's been busy at Cake and the Beanstalk... so busy that the blog has suffered from a bad case of "nobody is writing in me".. but alas, we have the cure for that and whatever else may ail you... BAKED GOODS!!!  It's hard to blog sometimes when you are up to your elbows in deliciousness.  It seems that each new thing that comes out of Cake and the Beanstalk's tiny (but mighty) oven is better than the next... here's a rundown of what we've been churning out lately:

• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Strawberry Pound Cake
• Flourless Chocolate Torte
• Oreo Blondies
• Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing
• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

All this in addition to the classics that have had a home in our cases since day one:  Banana Chocolate Walnut Cake, Chocolate Chip Poundcake, Cheesecake, Chocolate Tree Nut Cookies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, Blueberry Crumb Cake, Brownies, and Blondies...

Sidenote:  Do you know how hard it was to write this entry during Passover?  Less than 24 hours to go!  

Wrapping up our first full month!

   The best thing about opening up on March 1st (aside form the whole starting your own business thing!) is that it has been very easy to keep track of how long we have been in business.  Right now, on March 27th, I can tell you with great certainty that Cake and the Beanstalk is 27 days old.  Come April, this computation will get a whole lot more difficult.
   We have had a wonderful first month... so great, in fact, that we are extending our weekend hours.  Starting Saturday, April 2nd, we will stay open until 8 pm on Saturdays and 7 pm on Sundays.  This week we have great specials on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then on Thursday the 31st we are closing out our first month in business with a bang... free dessert samples all day long!  And come Friday, CUPCAKES make an appearance at Cake and the Beanstalk (gasp!  cupcakes!)  We'll be serving up red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing to celebrate the Phillies' Opening Day!  

Pro Pictures

Treat A Friend Friday

Come join us for buy 1 get 1 free dessert from 3-5 pm Friday!  Enjoy your sweets in the garden room with some Chestnut Hill Coffee.

Monday just got even better...

Check out this article that came out today:

http://www.citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/NOW-OPEN-Cake-and-the-Beanstalk.html

What a day!  See you in the a.m.

Big Day Monday!!!

     After a great weekend at Cake and the Beanstalk, we're gearing up for a big day tomorrow... In the morning, we're launching a dollar coffee special from 7-9 am.  That's right, coffee is just $1 for 2 hours tomorrow morning!  Come on by!
    Later in the day, we'll have fresh baked apple pie in honor of a very special day (or really, a very special date!)  It's Pi Day!  Come celebrate 3.14 with a piece of the very first pie to come out of our oven... and it's only $3.14 a slice!
   It's going to be a super Monday!

Fee Fi Fo Yummmmmm

Now that one full week has gone by, we can say with much pride (and a touch of exhaustion), that we are loving this new adventure… and if you've stopped in our shop, we hope you loved your experience with us!  

   We are serving fresh baked desserts, all of which are prepared by Dan right behind the counter.  Thus far, he has churned out:  banana chocolate walnut cake, cheesecake, chocolate chip pound cake, strawberry pound cake, plain pound cake, several kinds of blondies, brownies, chocolate tree nut cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, coffee cake, blueberry crumb cake, gingerbread cake, and Jewish apple cake.          **Suggestions are always welcome!**    Please let us know your favorite homemade desserts and we will see what we can do.  Remember, all of our desserts pair nicely with the awesomeness that is Chestnut Hill Coffee and Espresso.  'Til tomorrow :)  

Hours

Our hours are 7 am-8 pm on weekdays, 8 am-6 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am-5 pm on Sundays.  Stay tuned for a menu and updated photos.  Hope to serve you fine desserts and drinks soon!

More Online Community Love

Check out ThrillistPhilly's post about us from today: http://www.thrillist.com/food/philadelphia/pa/19107/midtown-village/cake-the-beanstalk_breakfast_coffee_comfort-food_dessert#axzz1FSq65ppo

Stop by soon for some banana chocolate walnut cake!

Our first foodie blog shout out!

http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/2011/02/17/cake-the-beanstalk-to-replace-flying-monkey/
Getting closer to that Tuesday opening... Stop by for free dessert samples every day until we open!

Opening Day

Hey everybody and anybody!

I've got almost all of my equipment and will be ready to open within a week.  At latest, doors will open to the public next Tuesday, March 1st (supposedly Tuesdays are good luck for business openings :-)  Keep checking back for updates, photos, hours, and a menu...