Courtesy of Pinkberry

Yesterday we had a bit of an email brawl over the news that Pinkberry was opening a third location in Miami.

The storefront is set to open May 10 at 1144 Ocean Dr., and some people around here were saying, "Get over it -- the froyo fad is dead."

First of all, frozen yogurt will never die. Second, who wouldn't want a cold, delicious, low-calorie treat with fresh fruit on a sweltering summer day at the beach?

Yeah. We thought so.

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thebakinggirl.com

We're not ones to scour the city looking for the world's greatest cupcakes.

We don't even like them.

But on a whim, we recently took a different route home from the office and found ourselves at NE 69th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Most locals know the intersection for the restaurant Uva 69. However, tucked behind it is a tiny cake shop called the Baking Girl.

It's been there more than a year, but we'd never noticed it. It wasn't until we walked in to scope it out that we discovered the Baking Girl carries the best damn vegan cupcakes, like, ever.

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Courtesy of @sweetnessbakes Instagram

Everyone loves a good cupcake. But when maple-bacon donuts, homemade Oreos, ginger-glazed chicken melts and craft beer are also on the menu - even better. That's Sweetness Bakeshop & Cafe in a nutshell, a South Miami favorite since its inception in 2010.

Now, thanks to their increasing popularity, Sweetness is getting ready to open its second location. This time, in Hialeah. They're looking to throw open their doors sometime this summer - maybe even sooner, says co-owner Stephanie Diaz.

See also:
Sweetness Bakeshop Selling Beer-Infused, Team-Themed Super Bowl Cupcakes

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Paul Joachim via Facebook

Paul Joachim sculpting a bust of Anne Burrell out of cake.

How would you measure your chocolate obsession?

Celebrity chef and Food Network Challenge winner Paul Joachim has measured his chocolate love, and it's about nine feet tall.

At least that's the height of the life-sized creation he will sculpt live at the Miami Fine Chocolate & Food Show at Pinecrest Gardens March 9 and 10.

Joachim, a sports fanatic when he's not in the kitchen, will create a six-foot-eight basketball player on a two-foot base while telling stories to the crowd at the show. The edible masterpiece is meant as a tribute to "Miami basketball," but Joachim wouldn't tell Short Order if he had a particular player in mind.

Read also:
- Founder of Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show: "Culinary Scene Beyond South Beach Deserves Recognition"
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Nowadays, cakes are an art form, so any pastry chef worth her or his salt (or sugar) better be able to craft masterpieces. Local bakers Carolina Montoya and Fernando Puga, owners of Unique Designer's Cake, have proven their cake-crafting skills for the likes of Food Network, Art Basel, and the annual National Gingerbread Competition.

And now, the husband-and-wife duo have brought their talents to a brick-and-mortar showroom in Miami. Next Friday, March 15, you can join them in christening their sugary-sweet baby.

See also:
- Bunnie Cakes Opens in Wynwood Tomorrow: Free Cupcakes While Supplies Last
- Julia Child's Chocolate Almond Cake Available at Soyka (Recipe)

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Via facebook.com/SweetSaloonMiami

Sugar and booze are an intoxicating combo (some studies say it gets you drunkety drunker). If so, then Sweet Saloon should leave us all kinds of buzzed.

The newest addition to the mezzanine level of Moonchine Asian Bistro, this spot serves sweet treats, cocktails, and jazzy beats Wednesday and Saturday nights. Just the kind of after-dinner entertainment we're into.

See also:
- Dylan's Candy Bar Opens in South Beach
- Dylan's Candy Bar: Ten Reasons Grownups Will Love It (Photos)

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Photo by Ben Fink

Hedy Goldsmith

For more on the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, check out New Times' Taste guide, hitting newsstands Thursday, February 21.

Credit three ladies for making this year's South Beach Wine & Food Festival just a little bit, um, cooler: Hedy Goldsmith, James Beard award-nominated executive pastry chef for the Genuine Hospitality Group in Miami; Jeni Britton-Bauer, owner of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and award-winning cookbook author from Columbus, Ohio; and Paulina Naranjo, a self-proclaimed "paleta princess" and Miami's source for traditional and modern Mexican popsicles. These women have one thing in common. For them, ice cream is about more than just good, brain-freeze-inducing eats. The dessert also evokes memories of nostalgic childhood treats.

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Hannah Sentenac

Everywhere you look, someone is peddling healthy eats. We're bombarded with gluten free, no added sugar, low calorie crap. And yeah, we know we should try to eat right and all that. But sometimes, both body and soul need to screw the calorie-counting and opt to indulge. On days like those, there's Quarterman's Ice Cream Parlor.

The newest addition to downtown's dessert lineup, the spot is a 1930s throwback, manned by owner Madai Girard and her family. This is old school ice cream. Think little George Bailey serving up chocolate ice cream and coconut flakes to curly-haired Mary. (Cue the awwwws.)

See also:
- Homemade Ice Cream for Valentine's Day
- Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's Talks Ice Cream, Stamps, and Sustainability

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Photo by Daniel Squilla

Junk in da trunk cookies + Buffalo Trace

As the old adage goes, the way to your man's heart is through his stomach. And since he probably bought you something awesome like that dress from Anthropologie (hint, hint), show him some love with a sugar, butter and booze-filled dessert. Not exactly a Susie Homemaker? No worries. Short Order gets a lesson in baking and love from Hedy Goldsmith just in time for Valentine's Day.

As the mastermind behind the recent Great American (baking) Novel, Baking Out Loud, Goldsmith has a unique view of food and love. "I believe that in this age of fast-forward multi-tasking, we are faced with less time to be with our loved ones," she says. "Giving someone you love a homemade baked gift sends a heartfelt message that you'd gladly give your time...instead of just clicking a button to buy online." Her key lesson in love sounds good to us: Nothing says 'I love you' like homemade cookies. Yum.

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http://instagram.com/sweetnessbakes

Beer + cupcakes = boozy bliss

On Super Bowl Sunday, when the keg is kicked, the wing bones picked dry, the seven-layer dip down to its last tier - you and your guests will be jonesin' for something sweet. And to satisfy those post-game cravings, Sweetness Bakeshop & Cafe is baking up some team-themed, craft beer-infused treats.

The popular sweet shop is selling two varieties - so you can eat where your loyalties lie.

See also:
- Miami's Ten Best Cupcake Shops
- Good Beer Larry on Super Bowl Food and Brew Pairings

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