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In college, whenever I started a new class, the professors always had us introduce ourselves with a little anecdote about our personality. Mine was always, "Hi, I'm Lo and I obsessively rank my favorite dessert spots. Namely, my favorite cupcake joints." (Freshman 15? Meet freshman 30.)

But I'm older and more mature now, so I must have outgrown this sugar phase, right? Eh, no. Still never met a cupcake, brownie or general sweet treat that I didn't at least appreciate. And so when Lemondrop asked if I'd mind swinging by the Duncan Hines Red Carpet Cupcake Challenge at 9 a.m. on a Thursday to taste-test some sugar, it hardly seemed like something I wouldn't normally do. (I'm proud of those ladies, but I've never been more thankful they're laying off the baked goods.)

After peeling myself out of bed (I had a little too much vegan cake the night before), I prepped for my cupcake date by chugging my patented blend of coffee plus hot chocolate. Totally refreshing and highly recommend. Then off to Cupcake Cafe for a workout and to check out the goods. (Hey, I got off on the wrong stop and had to walk an extra five blocks to get there, which counts as a workout, right? Don't answer that.)

It turns out this challenge by Duncan Hines was a brilliant idea and one they pulled off pretty fast. About four weeks ago, they made an announcement on their Facebook page and official website that they were looking for the best cupcake recipes (that incorporate a Duncan Hines ingredient, of course). As the official dessert sponsor of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Awards Governors Ball (yes, it was hilarious to hear the Duncan Hines people spit out that mouthful 10 times), they were offering one lucky baker the chance to have their creation presented to the biggest and brightest in television. They got a little over 200 entries (recipes with photos) and commenced voting. So, which one took home the gold?

The initial entrants were whittled down to ten, which were presented in front of a panel of elite food judges and taste-tested by sugar-fiends like myself. The ultimate prize? Two round-trip tickets to LA and a spot at Fans in the Stands. You know, the bleachers where all the fans hang out on the red carpet before the Emmy's. Pretty exciting stuff.

All the entrants were waiting by on Skype as the judges tested out tiny slices of the cakes. Me? I sat in the corner, salivating and (somewhat embarrassingly) thinking about how I might jab someone with my plastic spork if they tried to present me with anything less than ten full cupcakes. (Eyes bigger than my stomach? Guilty as charged.)
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When the floor was opened up to the guests, I tackled my way to the front of the line and fit as many cupcakes as I could on my little plate. I felt a little bad after sitting down and noticing that everyone else was sharing theirs with a colleague. (But, you know, not that bad.)

The cupcakes were definitely all good creations and favorites were probably manifested from pre-established likes and dislikes. The winner of the morning was a red velvet cupcake called "Red Carpet Glamour," which wasn't my personal favorite (it was the smallest cupcake on my plate and oozed chocolate once you bit into it -- I've never been one for surprises). But I respect the judges' choice, which seemed to be made specifically because of the baker's use of raspberry in the batter and the nice and frothy vanilla bean frosting. It's definitely a beautiful cupcake (pictured above), and the adorable winner, Katie Rousonelos, was thrilled to be chosen. She told us over Skype that she's never even entered any kind of baking contest before.

Honestly, I was predisposed to not like a few of the creations as much. I don't like coconut, piña colada or tiramisu much, and so those were kinda working against me. Not that any innocent bystander would have been able to tell this. My absolute two favorites were the Blackberry Champagne and the Devilly Good Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle. The peanut butter is no surprise - I'd eat anything with peanut butter on it, but I actually am surprised that I chose something with fruit as a fave. Must have been that champagne ingredient. Hmm.

I did leave the party cupcake-drunk and totally spaced out, vowing that I'd wait at least 24 hours before eating sugar again. How had I just inhaled that much sweetness? Hell, I might never eat sugar again. Until I got home, and my roommate was making cookies.

Well, Lemondrop ladies, you don't have to trust my jonesing. Head over to the Duncan Hines site and check out the recipes and photos for yourself. Then, get to baking!



Lo Lankford is a recent New York re-transplant and frequent Lemondrop contributor. Her favorite cupcake joints? #1 - Billy's. #2 - Baked by Melissa. #3 - Babycakes. In New York, that is -- she's not opposed to flying to Boise, Idaho for a good cake. Just sayin.'