Farmers Market Fresh: Cupcakes & Beyond

Looking for the perfect dessert? Look no further than your local . For birthday parties, weddings, pool parties or just a  well-deserved treat, these cupcakes are truly remarkable.

Cupcakes & Beyond is one of the . When I first saw the pink truck I was enticed, though $3 seemed like a lot for a cupcake.  I'm not a huge fan of the cupcake trend and cupcakes are not my first choices.  But, they looked really good and there were so many flavors to choose from!

Each was topped with a very thick layer of icing and decorated to compliment each flavor.  I decided I had to try it, so when I asked the vendor what he recommended he said "definitely the Mangolicious." When I took a bite the center burst with mango syrup and chunks of mango, the thick and rich frosting was also mango flavored. I couldn't think of a time I've tasted a better cupcake. Even though I usually prefer chocolate to fruit desserts, these were a bite of heaven.

Their iconic hot-pink truck has been a weekly favorite a the North Park farmer's market and has recently become my favorite part of Santee's Farmer's Market. 

I am no stranger to dessert. A self-proclaimed chocoholic (happens to be the name of one of my favorite cupcake flavors!) and passionate foodie, I lived in Paris, France, possible the world capital of dessert.  And, these cupcakes are some of the best desserts I've ever had. I am not the biggest cupcake fan, but these are not your average cupcake.  The cake is moist, fluffy, so flavorful and most are filled with a luscious pocket of whatever flavor is appropriate, like dark chocolate ganache in the Chocoholic cupcake or just more frosting like the incredible Red Velvet.

Gil Carson and his wife, Nerissa, bought an old food truck in 2010, restored it and painted it hot-pink. From there they started Cupcakes & Beyond on the go, selling at farmer's markets in San Diego.  Their daughter often helps them and Gil manages the business end while his wife is busy creating the most perfect frostings, flavors, toppings and cupcake creations. They are in the process of opening a permanent location in Poway.

in Farmer's Market Fresh and local Santee resident and Patch reader Nancy commented:

"My daughter and I stopped at the farmers market today. We took Steve's advice Steve's [It was Chelsea's advice, but who's counting?] and bought some of those delicious cupcakes and then stopped by Harry D'z and bought 2 pulled pork sandwiches for $6 each and they were huge and delicious. That was our dinner and dessert for tonight. Great dinner."

So far my favorites are: chocoholic, mangolicious, white-chocolate macadamia nut, sweet and salty (caramel and chocolate!), red velvet (best you have ever had), and tiramisu, to name a few.  You really can't go wrong, I haven't had one I didn't like so far! The more you buy the cheaper they are. They often do large orders as well, including minis!

For more information about these sensational cupcakes--or a taste! visit your Santee Farmer's Market on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. or go to cupcakesnbeyond.com