So what if macarons are having a moment as the dessert du jour amongst hifalutin’ foodies? Good luck getting a pack of party-hearty tweens (and one discerning birthday girl) to bite. We’ll stick with the classic cupcake, thank you very much. And we’ve got a favorite new go-to gal to get ‘em from: Kara Schnaidt.
This budding baker from Franklin Lakes is the brainchild—correction, brainteen (she’s 19!)—behind Kara’s Kakes, a sweet new business venture that has her poised to become the reigning queen of cupcakes. Our crush on Kara began when we found ourselves salivating over photos of her delightfully decorated, colorful cupcakes, snapped at local food fairs, on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Intrigued by her series of classes and events, we booked her for an in-home cupcake decorating party for our little sweet tooth’s birthday.
She did not disappoint, showing up with an array of her best and brightest cupcakes, each one made with fresh ingredients (read:specks of actual vanilla bean, hand-squeezed lemon juice and real blueberries are used to create her signature flavors), in tow: S’mores, Oreo, Cannoli (so adorable, with a homemade mini cannoli sticking out of it!), Strawberry Shortcake (made with real strawberries), Rainbow Sherbet, and my personal favorite, Blueberry Lemon (a taste sensation that defies description). Needless to say, the kids ate them up and had a great time.
Right now, you can find Kara Kakes at Kilwins Chocolates and Ice Cream in Wyckoff, Red Mango in Wyckoff, plus the Market Basket in Franklin Lakes. For ordering info, click here. Or, better yet, meet this sweet sensation in person, by hiring her for an in-home cupcake party or signing up for one of her cupcake decorating classes.
