A Review and Look Inside TLC's Georgetown Cupcake/DC Cupcakes

If you're an avid viewer of TLC, then you already know all about DC Cupcakes. But if you've been living under a rock for the past six months, then you may not have heard about this cupcake-infused hit show. While "DC Cupcakes" is the name of the TV series, the actual show follows the business known as Georgetown Cupcake. Georgetown Cupcake started as a quiet little bakery in the heart of Washington D.C. by sisters Sophie and Katherine, who quit their high-paying corporate jobs to follow their dreams of making and selling cupcakes. Eventually the shop grew with the help of a smart business location and an in-demand product. Now Georgetown Cupcake has two locations (the original in D.C. and one in Bethesda, MD).

When I saw the first episode of six part series of DC Cupcakes, I immediately fell in love. I adored Sophie and Katherine, as they reminded me of my sister and me, and I just loved the concept of a homegrown cupcake bakery. I'm always one to support people that work hard and achieve their goals. While the show is a tad bit scripted and a little corny at times, it appeals to a large audience. After all, like almost every other TLC show (think Kate Plus 8, 19 Kids and Counting, Sister Wives, Cake Boss, etc), there is just the right amount of drama and a good message construed at the end of each show.

The other portion of DC Cupcakes that you just can not ignore is the cupcakes themselves. The show goes directly into the heart of everything it takes to make cupcakes. From the delicious fillings to the sweet frostings and the signature Georgetown Cupcake swirl, the show features it all. I doubt I was the only person drooling over the sweets. So when the show came to a close (though it's being renewed for a second season this winter), I was craving cupcakes. I didn't expect to get my hands on Georgetown Cupcakes, but I wanted to check out the website anyway. Just like the images of the bakery on TV, the Georgetown Cupcake/DC Cupcakes website is adorned in everything pink. I immediately saw the "Order" option on the top of the homepage. Think tab took me to an ordering page which includes options for pick-up, delivery, and shipping. "Shipping!?" I thought to myself. My dream had come true; I could order my very own dozen of the cupcakes I had seen on the show.

I just had to place an order, it was calling my name. I followed the check-out instructions carefully. First you type in your zip-code (they only ship to the lower 48 U.S. states), then you select the date you want them delivered. You have to order by noon (EST) the previous day if you want to receive them by the next day. I was a bit curious about how shipping cupcakes worked (not to mention the cost). Apparently, Georgetown Cupcake ships everything via FedEx Overnight Express, a somewhat costly but very reliable shipping service. I felt confident in their shipping service, so I went ahead and ordered. I ended up selecting a variety pack in which I got to choose my own dozen cupcakes from their menu. I chose a little bit of everything, including maple, red velvet, vanilla birthday, carrot cake, chocolate ganache, strawberry, chocolate cubed, toffee crunch, and salted caramel. My order total came out to $55, which is a bit steep for a dozen cupcakes, but you have to realize you are paying about half of it for shipping overnight.

I selected to have my cupcakes arrive the next day and within a few hours of placing my order I received the FedEx tracking number which told me that it had already been picked up and was on its way. The next day I received my package, which came in a pretty pink and black flowery box. Instead this box was a folded up insulation "blanket," and inside of that was the signature Georgetown Cupcake pink box with cooling packs on top of it. I carefully took out the signature box and opened it carefully. Inside were 12 beautiful cupcakes all perfectly decorated and arranged inside a plastic cupcake carrier. The cupcakes were still cool from the ice packs, so I didn't need to pop them freezer at all. But one thing I knew for sure was that I needed to try one...right then and there!

The first cupcake I tried was strawberry. I took the first bite and it was absolutely delicious. I could really taste the fresh strawberries and the rich frosting. My friend tried the next cupcake, red velvet (which is Georgetown Cupcake's signature cupcake), she said it was very good. It had a light and fluffy cake and a sweet cream-cheese frosting. All the other cupcakes I tried were decadent and I wasn't the least disappointed. The only thing I had an issue with was the size of the cupcakes. Somehow they just looked much bigger on TV and for the price, I expected them to be about 25 percent larger. If you go to Georgetown Cupcake in person or order them off their website, don't expect mutant-sized cupcakes.

Over all, I would easily rate Georgetown Cupcake a 5 out of 5. They make really fabulous cupcakes and all the flavors are amazing. I highly recommend maple, red velvet, and salted caramel.