So imagine my surprise when one night last week, Leyna herself actually drove to my house and hand-delivered this box of these delicious little baby cakes to me. Not only that, but she had literally JUST LANDED in NY and came straight to me first. Yeah, I know, that’s awesome. Know what else is awesome? These:

Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet her in person (like I said, I’ve been very sick- no voice and slight fever in addition to a terrible cough, couldn’t inflict that on the poor girl!), but it was super nice of her to bring these by. I found myself with 4 Strawberrilicious baby cakes in my possession. Strawberrilicious is strawberry-vanilla cake with a hint of white chocolate, filled with a strawberry surprise in the center, topped with white chocolate-strawberry chantilly cream. I will have you know, this particular flavor won the title of “L.A.’s Best Overall Cupcake” at the first annual L.A. Cupcake Challenge in 2008 (you can read more about that here and here). It was also voted Public’s Choice for “Most Original.” And let me tell you this: I don’t normally like strawberry, but these were excellent. You’d never know they didn’t have any butter or oil in them, seriously. The frosting was so fresh too- and these came all the way cross-country! Imagine how fresh they’d be for you Cali folk.  The cake itself is really light and fluffy, not heavy or sticky and it doesn’t “cling” in your throat and make you run to get a drink to wash it down.

All Leyna’s cakes are made fresh, with natural ingredients, fresh fruit and fresh cream, and you can tell.

With celebrity clients like Pete Wentz & Ashlee Simpson, Ashley Tisdale & Brangelina’s kids you’d think they’d be pretty damn good. But I honestly wasn’t expecting them to be as good as they were. I mean, come on, these celebrities starve themselves to look good on red carpets. Can we really trust them to know a good cupcake when they taste it? No. That’s why you have me. I’m way more trustworthy than a Simpson sister. And smarter too, I imagine. Although it makes sense they’re all fans: these cupcakes, because of the lack of those heavy fatty ingredients, are figure-friendly. Way more so than regular cupcakes.

A beautifully made little cake, isn’t it?

…

Those of you who know me know I’m pretty opinionated. I’m not going to give a good review of something unless it really is good. I’m not an ass-kisser and I’m not afraid to be honest. So believe me when I say I’d totally love to try more of Leyna’s cupcakes- that’s how good they are. I find myself wishing I lived in L.A. (not for the first time, considering I have so many friends out there in California, hi Yoyo, Rain & Anna! *waves*) so I could try the Mint Dreams, White Chocolate Wonderland and Peanut Butter & Chocolate cupcakes.

Here are some more photos (not taken by me) of some of Leyna’s cakes.

So if you’re in the L.A./Orange County area, I highly suggest you try these. They’re a guilt-free way of enjoying cupcakes since there’s no butter, shortening or oil in them. Plus they just taste amazing. Ah-mah-zing, as Rachel Zoe would say. Thanks Leyna, for letting me try these delicious little cakes, and if you ever need a taste-tester… uh, *cough* just let me know.

Leyna’s Kitchen

P.O. Box 17946, Beverly Hills CA 90209

(714) 51- C A K E S

Shop@LeynasKitchen.com

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