Turns Out Your Grandma Didn’t Make These Cupcakes!
By: Aidan Rodriguez
Within Owasso’s Smith Farm Marketplace, a new sweet spot has opened up– Not Your Grandma’s Cupcakes. As the name suggests, this bakery sells cupcakes, but this small yet mighty shop also sells cakes, fruit arrangements, chocolate covered strawberries, giant cupcakes, ice cream, shaved ice and even pupcakes. This wonderful bakery first opened its doors in Broken Arrow in 2011 with owner Sheila Hulsman at the reigns, and just this year, a second location opened in Owasso.
Hulsman recalls how it all started saying, “I knew I always wanted my own business. I just was not sure what I wanted to do… I started making cupcakes and taking them to work and started getting rave reviews… Two months after I started making the cupcakes, my position was eliminated at [my work],… and 8 years later, here we are.”
We continued talking about her business and some of the challenges that come with it. Hulsman discussed how she works everyday on her business, and though it can be difficult at times, she finds tremendous gratification in the work she does. She also has an immense passion for her business, so at times, “…it doesn’t really feel like a job.”
During my discussion with Hulsman, I had to know how she came up with so many different cupcake flavors. She responded with, “As far as flavors of cupcakes go, I just research things online and take suggestions from friends, family and customers. Once I decide on a flavor, I just start experimenting and try a bunch of different things and whatever… tastes the best is what I go with.”
Our journalism staff had the opportunity to try almost all of the enticing options offered, and their rich, luscious flavors did not disappoint! We were so inspired by the delectable flavors we wrote a short description for them; below are five of our best descriptions.
Death by Oreo™-
Death by Oreo™ is a “killer” for chocolate lovers. The puffy white and black speckled icing which includes cream cheese Oreo™- flavored icing, goes perfectly with the rich chocolate cake and Oreos™ sprinkled in. Supported by an actual Oreo™ on the bottom, the opposing textures go very well within the cupcake. Death by Oreo™ is topped off with a nice and crunchy mini Oreo™. Overall it is an amazing cupcake for anyone who wants to get lost in the taste of the crunchy and creamy chocolate flavors.
Written by: Ian Busking
Not Just a Pretty Cupcake-
Piled high with a thick swirl of buttercream frosting, sprinkled with happy little colors. Pretty with a sour cherry on top, “Not just a pretty cupcake,” leaves the taste of joy sitting in your mouth. Simple but sweet, original vanilla is more than just a pass by.
Written by: Emily McCaslin
The Slowpoke-
Dipping into the rich sea of the decadent Slowpoke, you swim like a turtle washing away your worries as they get caught into the net of the cupcake wrapper. A breezy glide through an ocean of oscillating flavors between deep chocolate cake and humble twinkling caramel sauce, the bitter pecans floating like seaglass, crashing into the mild bed of cheesecake cream as it takes the plunge into your mouth.
Written by: Draven St.George
Not Your Grandma’s Cookie Cupcake-
Topped with cream cheese frosting and a miniature cookie, Not Your Grandma’s Cookie Cupcake is a sweetness explosion. This vanilla cupcake is topped with a large swirl of icing sprinkled with little cookie crumbles. If you have an affinity for sweets, this cupcake is sure to feed your sweet tooth!
Written by: ShayLa Blake
Lemon Lavender-
Atop this tower, there rolls a head. A lemon head, to be specific. Beneath its citrus tangs, The thick plains of lemon cake meld into sophisticated buttercream frosting. A fresco crumbling into the sea. Yet, like a knife in the butter, a stock of lavender surrounds the senses in subdued notes, anchoring our senses to buttercream yet alleviating the stress of a floral moment. A lemon curd glistens, like a pearl within the rich sea.
Written by: Emily Holson
If you are interested in ordering some of these cupcakes, you can call the location and order ahead of time. To reach the Owasso location (9025 N 121st East Ave. Ste 100), call (539) 208-5555, and to reach the Broken Arrow location (1810 S Main St), call (918) 251-7346. So, whenever you get a hankerin’ for something sweet, head on over to Not Your Grandma’s Cupcakes to grab a sweet treat!