Starbucks on a Sunday

 

Date: 15/9/2013

Background: What is better than a lazy rainy Sunday than chatting with coffee and cake? Nothing, that’s what! Unless maybe we took away the rain?

What: Cinnamon Swirl

How much?:  £2.50?

What was Good: For someone who is not normally a pastry person, this really caught my eye! With its topping of white smooth icing and golden flaky dough, I really wanted to eat it as soon as I saw it! What I love most about eating this delicious sweet bready delight, is getting to slowly unfurl it from itself, so you get the changing texture from firm yet chewy on the outside, to soft and light, melt-in-the-mouth in the middle. And the squidgy fruit and tangy orange cream cheese icing added to the great delight I gained from choosing this confection over my usual chocolate/muffin option.

What was Bad: I probably would have enjoyed a touch more cinnamon actually. But otherwise, next time I go to Starbucks, I will definitely be choosing a Cinnamon whirl again!

Would I have it again: See above. Yes I certainly would!

Waffle-o-meter:

Starbucks, you nutty little minx!

 

Date: 03/11/12

Background: My lovely buddy from back home, Michelle, and her boyfriend Michael came to Birmingham, and we met up with them to have a coffee, chinwag and a general get together!

What: Caramelised Hazelnut and Chocolate Chip Muffin

Where: Starbucks, Birmingham New Street

How Much?: I wanna say about £1.90 give or take

What was Good: It smelt nice! Sweet and nutty. Lol. And as I am sure you have picked up by now, I eat with my eyes first of all, and it looked really tasty! Rustic and basically decorated. Texture and flavour wise it was also a good muffin, with the crunchy chopped caramelised hazelnuts and sweet smooth chocolate chips within, and the all important crusty muffin top!

What was Bad: One thing I did not like was that the hazelnuts got stuck in my teeth… And that is when they tasted really bitter! I know this happens with a lot of nuts, but it kind of ruined the whole experience! I don’t think I will be choosing this muffin again folks I am afraid.

Waffle-O-Meter:

Starbucks Do It Better- With Stars!

 

When: 15/9/12

Background: Me and Stacey had a nice chillaxed day at the Bullring, Birmingham, and fulfilled our need for good pud by snacking in Starbucks there!

What: Velvet Chocolate Cake

How Much?: £2.50

What was Good: It was really pretty! This seems to be a common theme within my pudding-blog. But for goodness sake this cake has stars on! I mean actual stars! Sparkly, lovely stars. And it looked so so decadent! Me and Stacey had a very hard decision as to what piece of cake we were going to share. What is this I hear you holler? SHARE?! Since when do I SHARE cake?! On this occasion I was willing to make an exception! Mainly because Starbucks is quite expensive. If I am honest, one of the reasons that I chose this cake over any other, was that I really wanted to give the mystical chocolate fudge cake a chance to redeem itself after yesterdays unhappiness in the Sizzling Pub. This particular dessert did not wow me or knock me on the floor taste wise. The cake and firm frosting were tasty, but were more sweet than chocolaty. I would have loved it so be soft and moist with a rich cocoa flavour. If I am honest it did not match up to that.. But it was DEFINATELY better than yesterday’s poor excuse, and it was lovely to review a pudding with the co-founder of my blog!

What was Bad: It was dry. Not so dry as if it had been sat out for days on end dehydrating, but it did not taste as fresh as it could of. This is the mistake I think made when a cafe pre cuts slices of cake. As physics demonstrates, if the surface area is bigger, with more cut sides, then there is more room for evaporation to occur! The frosting itself was tasty, but was more firm than anticipated, so much so that I worried that cutting into it with the (plastic) fork would actually break it! All in all, I definitely think I need to expand my future pudding pool to probably exclude Chocolate Fudge Cake. Too much disappointment now!

Waffleometer:

Stacey:

Amy: