Hello, Cupcake.

Who would leave a cupcake all alone like that?

I'm very picky about desserts. I figure that if I'm going in ingest several hundred empty calories (which, believe me, I have no qualms about doing), it should be worth it.  I've been particularly critical of the cupcakes they serve at Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios. Sure, they look great,, but all too often, they're overly sweet and lack any depth of flavor. Well, I'm happy to say, I finally found a cupcake worthy of actually eating instead of just looking at:  The red velvet cheesecake cupcake.

Note the super-healthy fountain drink in the background.

Starring Rolls is one of the best places to get a quick snack in Hollywood  Studios. It's on your right as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, just past Sunset. It's impossible to miss.  You'll find a good selection of pastries, drinks, and sandwiches, as well as a tempting display case of cupcakes, puddings, and other desserts. It's a small shop that can get a little crowded, but the lines move pretty fast.  You'll find condiments and seating outside. It's well worth the stop.

This cupcake is big enough for two, so don't hesitate to buy only one and share it.

Gimme that cupcake, Mom!

Priced at under $4 or one snack credit on the dining plan, it's definitely a bargain.  The red velvet cake isn't too dense as a lot of commercial cupcakes can be. It's moist and provides a nice, not too sweet, foil for the rich, creamy frosting.  Sometimes it's hard to get cream cheese frosting just right--it's frequently not tangy enough. I have a standard for cream cheese frosting by which I judge all others and this one easily passes the test. I dare say, Old Ina herself would approve.

Being Disney, they don't stop with cream cheese frosting. Gilding the proverbial rose, they add a dollop of cheese cake right in the middle. You can see it in the picture above; it's the yellow-ish glob in the center.  Then they drizzle a little chocolate on top and add some little candy-like pieces. It's just so good.  On second thought, maybe you won't want to share it.

I can't wait to try this again on my next trip!