Robicelli's

Flavors: Friday, December 23rd

Next Wednesday is our first ever PEOPLE’S CHOICE day, where you can select from some of our favorite flavors we introduced in 2011!  So get voting already!

Now onto today’s flavors- these are the FINAL flavors you’ll find at Union Square Market, where you’ll be able to pick up your last minute gifts and Christmas cupcakes from 10-9 today, and 10-4pm Christmas Eve! Our shop at DeKalb is closing at 4pm Christmas Eve as well.  We’re closed Christmas Day and are taking Monday off from deliveries, so we’ll see you all next Wednesday!

Hot Buttered Rum: Butter rum soaked cake, butter rum buttercream and drizzle

The Hansel: Gingerbread cake, white chocolate pudding, speculoos buttercream, white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookie

Chocolate Panforte: Chocolate cake, mascarpone buttercream, homemade Italian panforte

Milk & Cookies: Brown sugar chocolate chip cake, mascarpone buttercream, chocolate chip cookies

Available at:

Robicelli’s at Union Square Holiday Market: C34

Robicelli’s at DeKalb Market: Corner of Flatbush & Willoughby, Downtown Brooklyn

Cafe at Sam’s Bakery: 94th Street off Third Avenue, Bay Ridge

Aloha Grinds: 76th and Third Ave, Bay Ridge

Bagel Schmagel: 76th and Third Ave, Bay Ridge

Crespella: Seventh Ave off 9th Street, Park Slope

Tazza: Clark Street off Henry AND Henry off Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights

Blue Apron Foods: Union Street off 7th Avenue, Park Slope

Brooklyn Standard: Nassau & Jewel, Greenpoint

Cake Shop: Ludlow St btwn Stanton & Rivington, LES

Queen City Cupcakes: 62 West Main Street, Patchogue, Long Island 

Red Hook Lobster Pound: Van Brunt Street, Red Hook; Brooklyn Flea; Roving Food Truck (Whoopie Pies Only)

Flavors: Wednesday, December 21st

Who’s done with their holiday shopping? NOT ME! I spent so much time concentrating on what to get my kids that I totally forgot there are other people in my life I need to shop for.  I’m sure there’s lots of you in the same boat, so I put together a little gift guide for you. 

1: Robicelli’s Brownie/Whoopie Pie Gift Boxes: This is what I give most of my family members every year.  Seriously, what the hell does my 56 year old aunt with 3 grown kids need from me? A vase? Wind chimes? Does anyone really need freaking wind chimes from a relative they see once a year?

Here’s what’s awesome about food gifts:

-You don’t need to dust them. You eat them, they’re gone, you have room for a new gift next year. Everyone already has enough crap in their houses- they don’t need more.

-They work for the whole family.  My aunt’s got 3 kids from 13 to 24.  Now I COULD buy separate gifts for the 3 boys, my aunt, and her husband.  OR I can give them a giant box with 3 dozen brownies that they can stick in their freezer and all go to town on for the next few months.  

-They’re a good gift for everyone.  Whether it’s a close relative, a relative you barely know, a neighbor, a doorman, a coworker, or your first cousin’s weirdo boyfriend you’ve never met who’s coming to Christmas for the first time- food’s a great blanket gift that makes anyone happy.

-Nobody has to “pretend” to like brownies.  You know when someone you barely know gets you another basket of assorted shower gels and you have to do that whole awkward “Oh thank you! I really needed this- I’m never, you know, smelling good, and I was really hoping someone would give me some apple shower gel to fix it- you’re so thoughtful!” moment.  No one wants to be told they’re smelly on Christmas.  Sweets? You don’t have to fake liking that. 

2. Robicelli’s Hot Cocoa Mix: Same as all that stuff I talked about above, but in liquid form.  And hot.

3. The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival by Ken Wheaton: 

Mr. Wheaton is a fan of ours, and I’ve been promising myself that I would read his book for over a year now.  Finally last week, I was in need of a new book and remembered to buy it. And I feel so incredibly stupid it took me this long because it was without question one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read in my entire life.  Better than “The Babysitter’s Club”. 

If you saw me this morning at Union Square with my nose in a book, blowing off work and simultaneously laughing and crying, it’s all Mr. Wheaton’s fault.  I did not want to put it down, and I didn’t want to let the story go, but I had to finish it.  And it was so good that when I got on the train tonight, I turned back to page one and started reading it again.  

Plus, there’s recipes for gumbo and etouffee in the back, and who doesn’t like those? So if you know anyone who likes reading, who likes laughing, loves travel or food or just likes to smile, you should buy them this book.  Then buy a copy for yourself, read it, and then find me so we can talk about how great it was.  Maybe we can meet up for gumbo too- that stuff is delicious.

And if any of you have written a book I should read, let me know! I’m always looking for a good one.

4.  A Lion:

Who wouldn’t want a lion? Who doesn’t respect a dude riding a lion? 

5: Tauntaun Sleeping Bag:

If you don’t know what this is or agree that this is the coolest thing ever, I don’t know if we can be friends.

6. Cupcakes

What did you think I would say? Macarons?

Clockwise from front: Milk & Cookies, The Blatt, Port Poached Pear, The Hansel

The Blatt: Raspberry jam filled vanilla cake, cheesecake buttercream, raspberry jam, fried cookie dough

Milk & Cookies: Brown sugar chocolate chip cake, mascarpone buttercream, crushed chocolate chip cookies

Port Poached Pear: Pear cake, vanilla buttercream, port poached pear, port wine reduction

The Hansel: Gingerbread cake, white chocolate pudding, speculoos buttercream, white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookie

Available at:

Robicelli’s at the Union Square Holiday Market: Booth Number C34

Robicelli’s at DeKalb Market: 138 Willoughby Street, Downtown Brooklyn

Hom: 88th & 3rd, Bay Ridge

Cafe at Sam’s Bakery: 94th Street off 3rd Ave, Bay Ridge

Tazza: Clark Street off Henry AND Henry Street off Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights

Joe Columbia University: West 120th Street btwn Broadway & Amsterdam, Morningside Heights

Red Hook Lobster Pound (whoopie pies only) 

Flavors: Hanukkah-Monday, December 19th

Happy Hanukkah!!!

Before we begin today’s Tumblr, I issue an important reminder that I am not Jewish, but I love latkes.  And since I’m Italian-Catholic, this means I have to live with an agonizing lack of latkes in my world.  Therefore, I will gladly take all charitable donations of latkes, so if you have any lying around feel free to bring them to me in Union Square. Booth C34 people.  You know how to find us.

I have a well documented love affair with Jewish food: from my childhood noshing on corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, to the years I spent working in kosher kitchens, to our family’s annual Jewish deli crawl for Matt’s birthday (Three delis! Four hours! Five days of recovery!).  What I love more than the meats, more than the schmaltz, is the stories.  Nearly EVERYTHING on the Jewish table is filled with rich tradition and passionate storytelling.  Why this is not seen as one of the worlds most exciting cuisines, I’ll never understand.

The food of Hannukah has two major elements: oil, and dairy.  Oil is obvious- we all know the story of the Macabees and the miracle of the oil in the lamp lasting eight nights.  This is why fried foods like latkes are so popular, and on the dessert end sufganiyot- jelly donuts.  

Dairy dishes, such as blintzes and cheesecake, are eaten to celebrate the story of Judith.  As the legend goes, thousands of years ago the Babylonian army was destroying her village, and as a woman of legendary beauty, she was able to seduce her way into their camp and into the tent of their leader, bringing with her baskets of salty cheese to eat and wine to quench his thirst.  And when he finally consumed so much wine that he passed out, Judith picked up his sword and chopped his freaking head off.

Eff YEAH Cheesecake!!!!

We’ve got two special Hanukkah inspired sweets to celebrate the Festival of Lights.  First is a cupcake filled with jelly, topped with cheesecake buttercream and more jelly, then sprinkled with fried cookie dough bits.  Then at Union Square and DeKalb, we’ve got our first ever Hannukah whoopie pie, filled with blueberry cheesecake buttercream.  Because in my opinion, blueberries are the most superior of all the blintz fruits, and it’s damn tasty sandwiched between two chocolate ca-ookies.

And don’t forget- we’ve got lovely blue and silver boxes at Union Square and DeKalb that fit three festive whoopies for only ten bucks, so if you’re looking for a nice gift, there you go!

Now let’s all enjoy this lovely photo taken by our good friend Eric Isaac of the Snap Food blog- we’re today’s features photo essay!

Nice, right?

Clockwise from front: Port Poached Pear, The Hansel, Eggnog, The Blatt

The Blatt: Vanilla cake filled with raspberry jam, cheesecake buttercream, jam topping, fried cookie bits, powdered sugar

Port Poached Pear: Pear cake, vanilla buttercream, port poached pear, port reduction

The Hansel: Gingerbread cake, white chocolate pudding, speculoos buttercream, white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookie

Eggnog: Eggnog cake and buttercream, freshly grated nutmeg

Available at:

Robicelli’s at Union Square Holiday Market: Booth C34

Robicelli’s at DeKalb Market: Flatbush Ave Ext and Willoughby, Downtown Brooklyn

Cafe at Sam’s Bakery:  94th off 3rd, Bay Ridge

Aloha Grinds: 77th and 3rd, Bay Ridge

Bagel Schmagel: 76th and 3rd, Bay Ridge

Crespella: 7th Ave off 9th Street, Park Slope

Tazza Cafes: Clark off Henry AND Henry off Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights

Cake Shop: Ludlow btwn Stanton & Rivington, LES

Joe Columbia University: W 120th btwn Broadway & Amsterdam, Morningside Heights

Jem: Broadway off Franklin, Tribeca

Queen City Cupcakes: West Main Street, Patchogue, Long Island

Red Hook Lobster Pound Classic Whoopie Pies Only

Flavors: Friday, December 8th

When I got home at 10:30 tonight all amped up to dive into a big pile of paperwork, I found Atticus (the four year old) not only up, but completely wired.  I took TWO HOURS to get him down. Mind you, there was no sleeping late today, no naps- just pure adrenaline.  Now it’s 2am, I’m ridiculously behind on my normal crap, and I need to be up at 7am tomorrow.  Living the dream!

Quick notes of what I wanted to talk about today:

HOLIDAY ORDERING: We’re now taking orders for holiday parties, corporate gifts, offices, and Christmas Day.  Hannukah ordering will be up tomorrow night once I finalize the last few items for the menu- head on over to Facebook to give me suggestions. I could use them.

BUT ALLISON, WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE FANCY GIFT BOXES I’M SEEING AT UNION? HOW DO I ORDER THOSE?: Tell my kids to go to sleep on time so I can get the ordering page up.  They’re having a sleepover at Grandma & Papas house tomorrow night, so I should get it done by Saturday morning.

ANYTHING SPECIAL FOR THIS WEEKEND?: We’re going to the Bust Craftacular, and we’re bringing cupcakes, brownies, whoopies, and our hot cocoa.  And in true Robicelli’s fashion, we’re going to do something nuts, because we can and are drunk with power. DRUNK WITH IT!

WAS THAT SOME SORT OF CODE SAYING YOU’RE SPIKING THE COCOA?: No. But if you want to bring a hip flask of bourbon, I’m not judging you. *Note: Robicelli’s LLC and all associated companies do not endorse smuggling booze, hooch, or fun-time juice into the Bust Craftacular, Union Square Holiday Market, or any other venue.  And for legal purposes, we ARE judging you.

WHEN WILL PACKAGES OF COCOA TO MAKE AT HOME BE ON SALE FOR US TO BUY? It will be debuting this weekend at Craftacular, and will go to Union Square & DeKalb next week.

CAN I ALSO PLACE A CORPORATE ORDER FOR BAGS OF COCOA AS A GIFT? Yup. We’re gifting cocoa, brownies, and whoopie pies this year.  Give us a call or shoot us an email to start setting up your order, and we can delivery the whole shebang to your office.

I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN ANSWERED! HOW DO I MAKE THAT HAPPEN?  Facebook. Twitter.  And if you follow us there, you get access to our special December deals. So, you know, DO IT.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CUPCAKE TODAY? I hate answering that question when we’re in seasonal mode.  Port Poached Pear will only be around for another few weeks, as will Hansel and Chocolate Candy Cane.  Milk and Cookies is new today, and it’s awesome. Just keep in mind that most of what you’re seeing for the next few weeks will disappear right after Christmas, so no matter how much you beg us, you’re going to have to wait another year for them. Perhaps you should get them all?

Clockwise from front: Port Poached Pear, Hansel, Chocolate Candy Cane, Milk & Cookies

NEW! Milk & Cookies: Brown sugar chocolate chip cake, mascarpone buttercream, chopped chocolate chip cookies

Port Poached Pear: Pear cake, vanilla buttercream, port poached pear, port reduction

Chocolate Candy Cane: Chocolate cake, peppermint buttercream, crushed candy canes

The Hansel: Gingerbread cake, white chocolate pudding, speculoos buttercream, white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookie

Available at:

Robicelli’s at Union Square Holiday Market: C34

Robicelli’s at DeKalb Market: Corner of Flatbush & Willoughby, Downtown Brooklyn

Cafe at Sam’s Bakery: 94th Street off Third Avenue, Bay Ridge

Aloha Grinds: 76th and Third Ave, Bay Ridge

Bagel Schmagel: 76th and Third Ave, Bay Ridge

Crespella: Seventh Ave off 9th Street, Park Slope

Tazza: Clark Street off Henry AND Henry off Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights

Blue Apron Foods: Union Street off 7th Avenue, Park Slope

Eastern District: Manhattan Ave off Eagle Street, Greenpoint

Brooklyn Standard: Nassau & Jewel, Greenpoint

Cake Shop: Ludlow St btwn Stanton & Rivington, LES

Joe Columbia University: West 120th btwn Broadway & Amsterdam, Morningside Heights

Queen City Cupcakes: 62 West Main Street, Patchogue, Long Island 

Red Hook Lobster Pound: Van Brunt Street, Red Hook; Brooklyn Flea; Smorgasburg; Roving Food Truck (Whoopie Pies Only)

Flavors: Wednesday, December 7th

Today we’re supposed to be debuting our “Gingerbread Man” cupcake, but we hit a bit of a snag……the gingerbread men never came.  Now normally, we produce nearly 97% of the extras we use right here in the Robicelli’s kitchen- we make fresh fruit compotes, make our own cookies for toppings and crumbs, our own malted milk balls and candies and sauces and, well, everything.  But itty bitty little gingerbread men? That would just take waaaaaaay too much time, so we ordered them a few weeks back from a company in upstate New York.  And then, they never showed.  Apparently, the company didn’t realize that after we had ordered them we wanted them “right away”- they thought we’d just want to receive them “eventually”.

Perhaps it was fate.  Perhaps the dessert gods wanted us to make our own gingerbread cookies, just like they forced our hand into making up our own hot cocoa (and we will be selling the mix SOON, I promise).  So we made the cookie dough, but there was absolutely no way we were cutting out thousands of little gingerbread men.  I mean, not that we don’t love you, but there’s a TON of labor in this cupcake already, and we don’t want to have to charge sixty bucks a pop for them.  However the name “Gingerbread Triangle” just doesn’t have the same pop as “Gingerbread Man” did.  

Matt and I were trying to think of a good name on the fly, and thought it should be something super German sounding.  And all our German friends have names that are moderately German sounding, but not really awesome kick-you-in-the balls German like “Gottschlak” or “Henirich”.  So we just started talking smack, and came out with the most awesome and holiday-appropriate name we could think of:

Hansel.  Or better yet:

HANSEL.

Lots of people ask us how we come up with names for our one billion flavors and counting.  Some are named after friends (the Noah, the McFadden), people we admire (Julia, Bea Arthur), places that are important to us (the Hinsch).  But sometimes- Matt and I are just dicking around and will do something just so we can make running jokes about it (the Bluth, El Guapo).  This is one of those times.  Let this begin a week of Zoolander quoting for all of us!

If the Hansel wasn’t enough to get you excited, how about ANOTHER new flavor! Port Poached Pear- another classic dessert we’re taking out of the restaurants and trying to get in the hands of the working man.  They’re crazy easy to make yourself, so if you like this one, you should take a stab at making them for your next dinner.  It doesn’t even need to be a fancy dinner- just make it for yourself! You deserve nice things! (like cupcakes! and Robicelli’s branded cocoa mix and whoopie pie gift boxes! and maybe a new pair of shoes too- why the hell not!)

Clockwise from front: Chocolate Chestnut, Port Poached Pear, Hot Buttered Rum, The Hansel

NEW! The Hansel: Gingerbread cake, white chocolate pudding filling, speculoos buttercream, white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookie

NEW! Port Poached Pear: Pear cake, vanilla buttercream, port poached pear, port wine reduction

Hot Buttered Rum: Butter rum soaked cake, rum-butterscotch buttercream and drizzle

Chocolate Chestnut: Chocolate cake, chestnut buttercream, candied chestnuts, ganache

Available at:

Robicelli’s at the Union Square Holiday Market: Booth Number C34

Robicelli’s at DeKalb Market: 138 Willoughby Street, Downtown Brooklyn

Hom: 88th & 3rd, Bay Ridge

Cafe at Sam’s Bakery: 94th Street off 3rd Ave, Bay Ridge

Blue Apron Foods: Union Street off 7th Avenue, Park Slope

Tazza: Clark Street off Henry AND Henry Street off Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights

Jem: Broadway off Franklin, TriBeCa

Battery Place Market: 77 Battery Place, Battery Park City

Joe Columbia University: West 120th Street btwn Broadway & Amsterdam, Morningside Heights

Brooklyneer: 220 West Houston Street, West Village

Red Hook Lobster Pound (whoopie pies only)

IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR FRIENDS IN WILLIAMSBURG: We regret to inform you that effective immediately, we are no longer associated with Radish on Bedford Avenue.  You can still find our cupcakes on Fridays at The West at 379 Union, and in Greenpoint at Eastern District and Brooklyn Standard.  If you have any leads on locations for us that are closer to your apartment, just contact us and let us know.  We’re South Brooklyn folks.  We know little of your land and it’s customs.  Especially that whole skinny jeans thing.  How do you squeeze into those? Crisco?