August flavors!

August Berry Trio (l to r):

Double Chocolate Raspberry, Blackberry Buckle, Strawberry Shortcake

August ranks as one of the region's sweetest months so it only makes sense that our seasonal flavors would reflect that.

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake

There's no way around it, Strawberry Shortcake was this year's favorite Strawberry Festival flavor! We heard from you on Twitter (follow us!) and Facebook (like us!) and in the cafes. We totally get it especially since we've had more than our fair share of them ourselves. The light, strawberry-flavored whipped cream frosting ringed in graham cracker crumbs goes perfectly with the sweet strawberry-infused vanilla cake. Not carrying it over would have been cruel.

Blackberry Crumble

Blackberry Buckle

Rumor has it that upon tasting this new flavor, one of our employees actually teared up. A blackberry cake topped with a blackberry whipped cream frosting is finished with a cinnamon streusel crunch. We can't guarantee that it'll make you cry with delicious happiness, but let's just say that we wouldn't judge you if it did.

Double Chocolate Raspberry

Double Chocolate Raspberry

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. First, your tart raspberries and semi-sweet chocolate chips, gently folded into a tasty vanilla cake. Second, how you are topped with a fluffy, white chocolate buttercream frosting and garnished with a fresh raspberry and chocolate curls. It all adds up to a double dose of sweetness with just a hint of tart. Delicious with a latte!

But this is a love that can't last forever; these flavors are only around through August 31. Have a sweet summer from Cupcake Royale!

Guess our August flavors!

Who doesn't love a good mystery? Especially when the reward is a beverage and a delicious 2 pack of our cupcakes!

For the month of August, we decided to keep our exciting summer going by having 3 flavors of the month again.

Right now on Facebook, our fans our are using their sleuthing powers to figure out which 3 flavors we'll be featuring next month. Yesterday, they correctly guessed which strawberry cupcake we're holding over. And today, they just guessed the second flavor. Check out recent posts to get caught up. Tomorrow, we'll be giving the clue(s) for the final flavor. The first five people to correctly guess all three flavors exactly will each win a beverage of their choosing and a 2 pack of cupcakes. Head over to our Facebook page to play.

Previous clues:

Day 1 - "one of our Strawberry Festival flavors"; "we want 'berry nice weather'."

Day 2 - "Back in black."; "You'll find it on some shoes..."

Decisions!

Strawberry 66 - now through the end of July!

Oh man! I hate decisions! For the birthday party tomorrow, do I bring a dozen Strawberry 66 cupcakes since they're only here through the end of the July? Or do I bring a dozen Whiskey Maple Bacon cupcakes since they're only here through Sunday for Capitol Hill Block Party (Cap Hill store only)? And what about our other Strawberry Festival flavors, also only here through the end of the month? The only thing to do is get an assortment!

Maple Whiskey Bacon - now through this Sunday!

It Gets Better donation

video by Alex Berry / Psychonautic Studios

Last Thursday, Cupcake Royale founder Jody Hall presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to It Gets Better founders, Dan Savage and Terry Miller. Our Capitol Hill cafe was full of fans, friends and family--all gathered to hear Jody, Dan and Pride Foundation scholar, Andrew, discuss the personal importance of this project. Dan stressed the impact of this contribution and said that it was the largest, single donation yet in the history of the project.

We're already brainstorming our next fundraising project for later this year. So if you know of a great local organization that could use some help, we'd love to hear your suggestions!

Summer Fest and Seafoodfest!

We're betting you might like a street fair as much as we do! If that's the case, you're in luck because 2 of Seattle's most fun street fairs are happening this weekend. And no matter what Seattle's weather decides to do, we'll have both hot and cold beverages to go along with our four featured strawberry cupcakes.

West Seattle Summer Fest 2011 is already in full swing. Today, tomorrow and Sunday you can cruise up parts of both California Ave SW and SW Alaska Street to enjoy shopping, artists, and food from over 160 vendors. There's also music all weekend long with concerts by Caspar Babypants and The Fastbacks this evening. Fun, fun, fun!

2011 marks the 37th year for Ballard's Annual Seafoodfest. Saturday (11-9) and Sunday (11-7), Ballard will be transformed into a street fair with performers, vendors, clowns, comedians and food. Music performances include a set by DJ Riz and a concert by The Moondoggies. Weekend highlights include a lutefisk eating contest, a 25 foot salmon, and a sidewalk sale. Don't miss it because how many times a year are you encouraged to "Eat Play and Plunder"?

Vote for us!

Seattle Weekly just opened up their 2011 Best of Seattle Poll. We'd love to win "Best Cupcakes" this year and we're not above a little shameless campaigning.

Back in 2003, when Jody Hall opened Cupcake Royale, she envisioned a neighborhood cafe where folks could gather for cupcakes, coffee and community. And that's exactly what has happened at all five of her neighborhood locations in Madrona, Ballard, West Seattle, Capitol Hill and most recently in Old Bellevue's Main Street neighborhood in the old IHOP.

Through the years, Cupcake Royale has hosted numerous concerts, art events, community discussions, dinners, sprinkle parties, celebrations, talks, forums and conversations. Jody has campaigned for important causes like reproductive rights, health care reform, and city legislation that takes care of small business. She has been recognized by the Nellie Cashman Society (2010 Woman of the Year finalist), The Mayor's Office, President Obama, and Patty Murray for her efforts.

Jody believes that the smartest investment she can make is an investment in her employees and community. Cupcake Royale donates over 40,000 cupcakes a year, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for various non-profits. They've given $500 art grants to produce original art for their cafes. Most recently, through your generous patronage, Cupcake Royale was able to make a $10,000 donation to the It Gets Better Project.

Over the past 7.5 years, it's been our pleasure as customers have turned into friends. We feel so lucky to be in so many great neighborhoods throughout the Seattle area.

The polls are open through Tuesday, July 19th.