As a birthday treat to myself, I ordered a dozen cupcakes from Cuppy Puppy Cupcakes and Cookies. Former Binibining Pilipinas beauty title-holder Joanna Penaloza-Romero has found a new calling as doting mom to an adorable baby boy, and as the lady behind a homebased baking venture, Cuppy Puppy.
Her cupcakes taste pretty good--they're ideal for kiddie parties like
birthdays and baptism. But you can also order a minimum of 6 pieces for
just about any occasion. Mmmm....I love the homemade quality of the
cupcakes!
I asked Joanna a few questions about her new business and she graciously obliged--
Mad About Food (MAF): How did all this begin?
Joanna Romero (JR): The idea of Cuppy Puppy Cupcakes started with my obsession with
cupcakes. For as long as I can remember, I've always had a sweet tooth. But
it was only during my baby shower 2 years ago when I really got hooked on
cupcakes. A good friend brought them to the party and I just couldn't
get enough. I was awake in my bed that night thinking and dreaming of
cupcakes. Every occasion after that, I just had to have cupcakes...
parties, birthdays, bridal showers... we even had them for my son's 1st
birthday party! Then sometime last year, I just woke up one day and
thought to myself, "I can totally bake those cupcakes. I know I can!" So
I brought out the apron I've been using as a dresser liner and
started experimenting on recipes until I found the perfect one. I
started serving the cupcakes to friends and family at gatherings, sending some over
to their house or offices. Then the orders started coming in.
The 'cuppies' before I put toppings on them
MAF: How did you come up with the cutest name for your business?
JR: When we were taste-testing, I used to lay out
different cupcakes without frosting and ask my husband which recipe he
preferred. He got confused and thought I was planning not to put
frosting on the cupcakes. So I began calling the unfrosted ones
'cuppies.' It just stuck, I guess. Then at about the same time, our Jack Russel dog, Fiona, got pregnant. We love our dogs--they're like our
children, too. So I thought, why not Cuppy Puppy? Hahaha!
The 'cuppies' with my Kitties--aren't they perfect?
MAF: Have you always loved baking?
JR: I never really baked much as a kid. It was my mom and sisters who loved
to cook and bake. I remember one of my sisters was trying to teach me to
make chocolate crinkles, they came out hard as rocks! I think I was 9
or 10 years old. I'd normally just help out or watch or eat! I
am so lucky to have married into a cooking family and never really had
to do the cooking (well, except for that one time I did the stuffed
turkey for New Year's Eve). Hahaha.
MAF: What would you say is the best part of baking? And what's the most challenging part?
JR: The best part of cupcake baking, besides the fact that I get to eat them
too, is the decorating. I love putting different toppers on the cupcakes. I
enjoy experimenting on the topper designs. The hardest part is
the baking process. I have a small oven at home and to bake 100+ pieces for
one order takes so long. I end up being in the kitchen for hours on
end--missing out on precious time with my son. But I'm hoping, when
business gets bigger, that I can buy a bigger size oven and not be
limited to baking 2-dozen batches at a time.
I am currently experimenting on my cookies and cakes, looking for that
perfect formula to suit my taste. I'm also taking classes on cakes
and cake decorating. I'm hoping to be able to offer more in the future.
Things are looking bright for Cuppy Puppy. :)
For orders, please visit http://cuppypuppy.multiply.com/
