The Great Cupcake Quest
January 21, 2009
Today is Joe's birthday!
I knew exactly what I wanted to get him. The inspiration came just the other day, when Joe went grocery shopping. He picked up a package of his favorite snacks, but! He left them in the grocery cart outside the store.
Poor Joey!
So, after work, I set out on my quest for these, in particular, the orange variety.
Yes. Other people might scorn this delicious snack cake, preferring the upscale versions now so prevalent around town. Joe, however, remains loyal to the confection with the creamy center.
Now you'd think this would be an easy quest. Pop into the local Quik-E-Mart, pick up a couple packs of the cupcakey goodness, done!
Alas, such was not the case.
My first stop was the local cash-only gas station and convenience store, because I needed gas and this station has the lowest prices in the neighborhood ($1.71, for the curious). The gas was gotten, but the convenience store was closed!
No problem -- there's a 7-11 right up the street.
Unfortunately, there were no Hostess cupcakes in the place. Donettes, yes. Honey Buns, but of course. Cupcakes? Not a one, not even the chocolate ones!
Sigh. Okay, there's a CVS across the street, although getting there is not as easy as it sounds. The traffic at this point is particularly heinous, especially at rush hour, so I gritted my teeth and waited until I could zip into the left turn lane so as to get to the CVS the back way.
Would my herculean effort be rewarded?
No, it would not. While I did find birthday candles and a great card, there was not a cupcake to be found. Ding-Dongs and Ho-Hos there were in abundance, but no cupcakes. I almost caved and bought a Whitman's Sampler, but resisted the urge. I would not, could not be denied!
Good thing the local Giant Food is merely a stone's throw away, assuming you can throw a stone across a six-lane highway. Off I went.
I searched the bakery section. Entenmann's! Little Debbie! TastyKake! Dammit!
And then, choirs of angels sang, for there they were, the elusive Hostess Orange Cupcake. I snatched up two packs and headed home, where I set up the birthday display.
I arranged three of the four tasty goodies on a plate, then set the last sweet treat on top for a two-tiered cupcake extravaganza. I lit the candle in the middle of the top cupcake, turned off the kitchen light, and called Joe in for his surprise.
I wish I had taken a picture, but the cupcakes didn't last long enough for me to get one.
Happy Birthday, baby!