If you consider carrot cake a vegetable, then you’ll definitely want to check out Spanky’s Cupcakes at the Las Olas Boulevard Green Market in Fort Lauderdale.  Spanky’s is my kind of produce stand!  Last Sunday I rode my bicycle past the market, just to see what was fresh and in season.  Apparently, it’s cupcake season. 

All the usual suspects were there at the green market - the organic produce vendor, the flower lady, the fresh bread guy.  And then there was Spanky’s.  Yes it’s supposed to be a green market, but many people do actually classify cupcakes as produce.  Certainly the key lime cupcake would qualify as citrus, and of course the guava cupcake is fruit based.  I might put Spanky’s coconut-almond sno-ball cupcake in the maybe column, but really who cares?  They’re delicious.  Besides, I’d say judging by the look of the man behind the counter, they’re actually quite good for you.

Spanky’s is owned by three Fort Lauderdale body builders, so when the vendor told me to try one I couldn’t possibly risk offending him by saying no.  The man looked like he could beat the stuffing out of me!  I had to force myself - what choice did I have? 

Frankly he did not look like a person who eats a lot of cupcakes, but I could be wrong.  If he is, then I want to package and sell that diet, because I’d make a fortune.  I’ve already picked out my book title.  “How I added five inches to my biceps by sitting on the couch all day eating choco peanut butter cupcakes.”  Who wouldn’t try a diet like that? 

Needless to say I went with the double choco cupcake.  It was outstanding.  Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips - all the major food groups.  And it’s no wonder it’s so tasty.  Spanky’s chef, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, uses only fresh eggs and sweet cream butter from local dairy farms, Scharffen Berger chocolate, and Nielsen-Massey pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. 

Spanky’s Cupcakes is new to Fort Lauderdale, and so far there is no store.  If you don’t catch them at the green market, you can call and order your cupcakes over the phone.  Spanky’s delivers (as all pastry chefs should), so no need to deny yourself.  Just in the Fort Lauderdale area of course.  As far as I know they will not fly up to New York to drop off a dozen red velvets at your suite at the St. Regis.  I don’t want to hear any complaining from my New York readers, not when you have the chocolate devil’s food cupcakes at Amy’s Bread just down the street, and Magnolia Bakery right around the corner.  But if you’re in Fort Lauderdale, definitely give Spanky’s a try. 

Until they have a store (let’s hope), you can reach Spanky’s Cupcakes at 954.630.0016, or you can visit their web site at www.SPANKYSCUPAKES.com.

I have added Spanky’s to my list of cupcake stops, but I have still not named a favorite.  We Take the Cake in Fort Lauderdale is definitely on my top 10 list, and I’m also a big fan of Amy’s and Magnolia in New York.  Friends tell me I need to try the cupcakes at South End Buttery in Boston, so I’ll be heading up there in May to give them a try and will report back.  If you have already found the perfect cupcake, please click on comments below and let me know.   I’ll publish your suggestions in a future post and we can compare notes.

Bon Appétit,

Rob Lubin