Dear Cupcake,

It’s no secret that I love food. If I didn’t love food, I wouldn’t be on this diet. But what you may not know is that I truly love local food.

You’ve all read about my love for Earls (r.i.p.) and Jenkins restaurants. I like local food for the same reason that I love almost any local business. I simply believe that in most cases, though you may pay a little more, the product is better. I love the unique things that make Cleveland (and anywhere) special.

Now, here’s another secret. I don’t like candy. It’s true. I did not get overweight from eating chocolate or hard candies. Nope, it was the baked goods that did me in. I love them. Cookies, brownies and cakes…

The Cupcake Divas are a couple of gals that have opened up shop right here in Cleveland, Tennessee and to quote one of the owners, “We use a lot of butter here.”

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

I’d driven by their shop a few times, but never stopped. Then, The Slinky told me that he’d become a believer. Well, as you know, I never let The Slinky stay ahead of me for long, so I determined to try it out.

Today, after Slinky told me that he’d been by there on his break, I determined that I couldn’t wait any longer.

I stopped by the shop and ordered their special of the day, “Italian Cream” and darned if it wasn’t the best cupcake I’ve ever tasted. I never would have believed it, but there really is something to this cupcake thing.

For one, the taste and texture were awesome. It was a dense, rich almond cake with a heavy, decadent butter cream frosting on top. The outside of the cake was made by fusing coconut and almonds into a fine crust. Each forkful brought me sweet nirvana, and here’s the most important element- the cupcakes aren’t too big, so right when you start feeling like it’s too rich, you’re finished. (Slinky had sworn to this, but I didn’t believe him. Turns out he doesn’t ALWAYS lie about stuff…)

So, for those of you out there in Rob Blog land who enjoy a sweet treat every now and again, I full endorse The Cupcake Divas… you can check out their daily specials and menu by friending them on Facebook, and then stop in and have a cupcake. You won’t be sorry.

(Note: I was in no way paid to do this review. My findings are based solely on my love of good food.)