Sugar Savvy

Let me state right from the beginning that I am a big fan of ice-cream cake. To me, the only drawback to the typical ice-cream cake is that it is simply too big and too expensive to buy for an “anytime” dessert, and my birthday comes but once a year.

This being the case, when I heard that PhillySwirl was introducing an individually sized ice-cream cake, I was pretty excited to try it. I thought PhillySwirl’s new Ice Cream Cupcakes, which they describe as “half cake, half ice cream topped with swirled icing and sprinkles” were a terrific idea, my solution to “too much ice-cream cake, not enough birthday.” As it turns out, they are.

I sat down to sample these with my family, not giving them too much of a build-up, as I was interested in hearing their uninfluenced opinions. I put the tray of 6 chocolate and vanilla cupcakes on the table one night after dinner and sat back.

The cupcakes are cute — a bit smaller than a regular cupcake — but festively decorated. My 14-year-old chose a vanilla, commenting, “They’re kind of small.” I didn’t say anything, but secretly I agreed. I could see myself eating half the tray’s worth. He commenced to eat it like a regular cupcake, pulling down the wrapper and biting into it. My husband went the same route. After a few preliminary attempts at this method, my daughter and I grabbed forks.

The cupcake was really good. The icing and ice cream were exactly on par with what you’d expect from a full-sized ice-cream cake. I have to say that the cake layer exceeded my expectations. I had a chocolate cupcake, and the cake was dense and fudgy, almost like a brownie. Although this Ice Cream Cupcake doesn’t have the “chocolate crunchies” that are the hallmark of most ice cream cakes, the cake layer makes up for it.

And guess what? The serving size was perfect after all. I finished my cupcake and was satisfied (though, if pressed, I could have plucked up the stamina to eat perhaps one more; two if my life depended on it). Really, it was enough, and the kids agreed.

The best part? Each cupcake has only 160 calories. You’ll have to take my word for this: these cupcakes taste like they have WAY more calories than that. I had to double-check this figure to believe it.

Unlike the big cakes, these will fit in your freezer, you can eat one serving at time, and they retail for a buck or less apiece ($4.99 - $5.99/6-pack; /$7.99 - $9.99/12-pack). Look for them at Wal-Mart, Winn Dixie, Giant Eagle, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and other retailers.

I think these would be perfect for classroom parties. Pick up a couple of 12-packs of these babies and those other moms who bring in cupcakes with airbrushed likenesses of Hannah Montana or miniature rocket ships sculpted out of Yodels and Gummi Savers will have nothing on you.