The Salty Tart: Revisited

. Hello from Corvallis, Oregon!!

Wait...what?!

Yep, I'm right there with you.  I've finally concluded [and just accepted] that my boyfriend and I will never actually plan a trip.  Nope, we like to fly by the seat of our pants make crazy vacation plans within a few hours.  Hey, whatever works for you, right?

So why, exactly, are we in Corvallis?  Well, as you may know, my boyfriend and I were both athletes during our stint at Creighton University.  My boyfriend played on the baseball team and whether he cares to admit it or not, he's a true Bluejay through and through.  Hence, we've been avidly following the Creighton baseball team all season long.  Excitingly enough, they've had a very successful season, winning the regular season crown as well as the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) tournament championship!  Now they are in postseason play, which brings us to Corvallis where Oregon State University is hosting the Regional tournament.

The MVC tournament took place just last weekend and the selection show was on Monday, so technically we didn't really have any clue where Creighton would be going.  But on Tuesday, we made attempts to finalize our plans to fly out to Oregon and support those Bluejays.  Fortunately, I was able to find an at home dog sitter for our three little babies and then we were off to the airport right after work on Thursday.

So here we are!

We watched Creighton play Georgia this afternoon, which we won 2-1!  So they play the nigh game tomorrow against Oregon State University, who beat Arkansas Little Rock.  We actually just got back from that game and a little din-din, and I figured some blogging was in order.

So I don't have a recipe today (well, I actually have a TON of recipes that I need to get posted!] but I thought it'd be a perfect time to fit in a post about me and Bacon-loving friends' trip to the Salty Tart during our Memorial Day trip last weekend!

I mentioned this little stop in my previous post and promised I'd put up some pictures.  I've also posted about the Salty Tart before, where I really couldn't say enough about this place.  And like I expected, we weren't disappointed.  The shop looked just like I remembered, but there seemed to be a busyness in the air.  I also noticed how many more employees they had and they were ALL crazily baking away.  Luckily [but not suprisingly], Michelle Gayer, the owner, was there doing her thing.  She looked incredible, with a slight glow about her.  And I found out some news that would most likely explain it!  But to keep things under wraps, I'll have to fill everyone in on that later.  But believe me, it's nothing short of fabulous news for Michelle and the Salty Tart.

I can't tell you enough how happy I am to see the success they are experiencing.  Michelle is simply a wonderful person, an extraordinary baker, and deserves nothing less than the attention she's getting.  It's incredible to be able to watch this little bakery blossom.

So while we were there, I guided Bacon-loving Friend to the my personal favorite baked goodie at the Salt Tart: Pastry Cream-filled Brioche.  Hm, sounds terrible, huh?  Hardly.  It's absolutely heavenly and I think Bacon-loving Friend agreed!

I also grabbed five Sour Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies and a bag of four macaroons [a.k.a. 'crackaroons' according to Michelle] to share with the family when we got back home.  The cookies are another favorite of mine and who can pass up 'crackaroons'?!  Oh, and they're nicknamed this due to their ridiculous taste and addictive nature.  They're that good!

All in all, it was nothing short of a successful trip.  I love coming home and getting the chance to show off the Salty Tart to anyone and everyone ☺

Well, it's getting late and we're waking up early to head to Newport Beach in the morning.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and cheer for the Jays! .

Tried & True Tuesday: Sprinkles Cupcakes

. It's been QUITE a while since I've posted anything, all because this last week has been an absolute blur.  First off, let me start by telling you that my boyfriend and I are currently in Phoenix, Arizona, for the baseball spring training games and to watch a friend who is in the minor leagues for the Cincinnati Reds.  We've been here since Friday night and are actually leaving tomorrow, but it's been a couple busy, fun-filled days of gorgeous weather and baseball watching.  We decided to make this random trip just last weekend but it has all been well worth it!

Anywho, aside from watching some studly athletes at the baseball field, we've had the chance to thoroughly explore the Phoenix area.  During one of our little travels, we decided to stop in Scottsdale to see what the city had to offer.  And boy, oh boy, did it have a lot to offer!  As we were driving down the street, I noticed a familiar looking store name and that signature dot design known most everywhere (if you're even somewhat of a foodie).  After basically climbing over the driver's seat to get a closer peak at the infamous store, I realized that what I was seeing was truly real.  Simple cursive letters read 'Sprinkles Cupcakes,' and the trip immediately took a turn for the sweet.  My boyfriend had vaguely remembered hearing of the name but he had NO IDEA what he was about to experience.  I actually had the chance to taste these little wonderful creations a few years ago when my cousin brought a couple dozen back from California, so I told him to brace his self.

After glancing over the numerous flavors they had for the day, we decided to go with the Red Velvet Cupcake.  It's one of my boyfriends favorite flavors and since this was the one I had the chance to inhale try out, I knew it would be a winner with him...

...And I can say with a fair amount of certainty that it was.  It might have taken no more than 45 seconds for that piece of heavenly cake to disappear into the hollows of his stomach.  And his reaction?  Pretty much what I expected.  "That was the best cupcake I've ever eaten."  Well, duh!  I also snagged a box of six different cupcakes (including Carrot Cake, Vanilla Milk Chocolate, Banana, Black and White, Red Velvet, and Dark Chocolate) for our Reds' friend.

Sprinkles Cupcakes' aren't located everywhere, but if you're ever in the vicinity of one, you have to make the effort to get to it.  I realize that this Tried & True Tuesday isn't featuring a recipe, but Sprinkles founder Candace Nelson doesn't get asked to judge Food Network's show Cupcake Wars because she doesn't know how to make the most absolutely delightful cupcakes [known to man].  No, I would say she knows how to slap together a pretty decent treat.  But only pretty decent ☺ .

Nod to the Salty Tart

Salty Tart store front

. No baking plans today, so I figured I would take this chance to introduce my all time favorite bakery: the Salty Tart.  This small bakery, located in Midtown in Minneapolis, MN, is owned by Michelle Gayer, the most outgoing, genuine, and passionate baker I have had the pleasure of meeting.  Words can't even describe the deliciousness that comes out of her kitchen.  Believe me, I've taken every chance to promote her bakery to anyone and everyone I know.  "You need desserts?  Hellooo, Salty Tart!"  So how do I know of this little gem?  Long and random story, but I was fortunate enough to intern at the bakery a few summers back and my life has never been the same.  Once you're introduced to the finer things in life, you can't really ever go back.

What are some of my favorites, you ask?  It's hard to say because there is nothing, literally nothing, that you wouldn't die for when it comes to this place.  But from my short stint at the Salty Tart, I absolutely fell in love with the Pastry Cream-Filled Brioche and the Sour Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Just thinking about them makes me want to make the 6-hour drive back home and head straight to the Global Market.  My mouth is watering.

Pastry Cream-filled Brioche

The wonderful thing about this bakery, however, is the array of goodies they make from scratch each and every day.  Homemade breads, UNREAL sandwiches, cookies, cupcakes, tarts...you name it, they have it!  Have I mentioned the gorgeous wedding cakes?!  Don't think for a second that I haven't mentioned those to EVERY newly engaged couple I've come across!  I could probably go on for the rest of the day raving about this place, but it's one of those things that you have to try for yourself.  And you won't regret it.  I've already noticed the increasing publicity Michelle and the Salty Tart have received, it's only a matter of time until they have completely taken over Minnesota (if they haven't already!) .

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on all of their special goodies! .