Cupcake Pilgrimage I

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to rush home to Jacksonville on Wednesday afternoon and was thus unable to bake this past Wednesday as planned.  Since I've spent most of my weekend catching up on Crim Law readings and going to various doctor appointments, I haven't had any time to bake.  I guess it's okay since I am not supposed to eat too many sweet treats until fully recovered from surgery.  That being said, my sweet tooth has been most unyielding...I'm pretty sure my sweet tooth and my stomach have a love-hate relationship going on right now.  Maybe I shouldn't read my mom's Southern Living magazines, or perhaps I should avoid lurking by Publix's bakery displays if I want to mitigate the effects of my sweet tooth.
I have a suspicion, though, that that would only make matters worse.


Recently, I found myself perusing the food section of the October edition of Southern Living when my mom mentioned that a new cupcakery had opened in Jacksonville.  I wasn't too surprised, since new specialty food stores are always popping up in the St. John's Town Center.  However, this cupcakery was not in the Town Center.  Furthermore, it wasn't even in a shopping center.  Instead, the owners of this cupcakery had transformed what used to be the iconic, ice cream cone-shaped Twisty Treat on University Boulevard into a giant cupcake!  I wanted to check it out immediately, but it was closed on Sunday and I had to get back to Gainesville.  So this morning, after running two easy bridge loops downtown, I headed over to University.


The cupcakery is called Short and Sweet, a fitting name for a place that specializes in mini cupcakes as well as other delectable sweets and quick breakfast fare.  There is no seating outside of the giant cupcake, which gives the place a retro vibe.  I was the only one there at the time (is 11 o'clock too early for sweets?) so I asked the worker about some of the items on the menu, specifically trash cookies.  He asked me if I wanted to sample White Trash.  Despite the fact that it sounded like something you'd buy in an Amsterdam coffee shop, I tried it anyway, and was so glad I did.  The best way I can describe it is that tasted like peanut brittle covered in heath bits and white chocolate.  More heavenly hash than white trash.


I also asked the worker if he had any cupcake specials.  He said I could get five cupcakes and a soda for $5.  After deliberating on which to get, I chose red velvet, pumpkin, pineapple, snickerdoodle, and german chocolate.  I handed him my credit card, only to have him tell me his machine was down.  For a split second I was afraid I'd have to leave empty-handed, but then he said he'd take any cash I had as long as I came back and told my friends about Short and Sweet.  I managed to scrounge up $1.70 in change, and I didn't really feel bad because I know I'll be back.


My favorite was the luscious red velvet.  The ruby-colored cupcake, which perfected the delicate chocolate taste unique to this flavor was topped with an adorable dollop of cream cheese frosting.  I'm glad the cupcakes were small, because I definitely could've gone for more.  If you have the opportunity to come to Jacksonville you have to visit Short and Sweet...how many cupcakeries are shaped like cupcakes, and how many do you not have to wait at least twenty minutes in line just to get one cupcake?  Not too many:):)

Top:  Short and Sweet Building

Bottom:  Red Velvet and Pumpkin cupcakes