Announcing the Explorers on the Quest for the Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake

Over 500 of you volunteered to join me on the Quest for the Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake.  Working my way through the list and narrowing it down to just 50 was a tremendously difficult task. Your comments have made me laugh, get enough warm fuzzies to make a giant quilt, and want to give all of you a huge group hug.

The team that I selected has a wide range of backgrounds.  Some have only baked cake mixes before, some are from-scratch bakers who are regularly called upon to bake cupcakes for family and friends, while still others are pastry school students, professional bakers, and cupcake shop owners who sell either out of their homes, farmers' market stands, or brick and mortar shops.  Some have a favorite chocolate cupcake recipe already that they plan to compare this one against.  Others have tried a few and haven't found a favorite.

What the Explorers all have in common is a passion for cupcakes and an excitement about working together to find a recipe that everyone can share!

Once the Cupcake Project Explorers decide on an Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake recipe, I will post it on Cupcake Project with confidence that you'll love it!

The Explorers are:

1. Anne Ahiers
2. Lisa Allen
3. Shannon Armour
4. Christy Augustin  
5. Nydea  Aviles
6. Alice Barton
7. Amy Cardenas 
8. Tina Corpus     
9. Chelsea DuPont 
10. Jack and Denise East     
11. Kelly Egan    
12. Dana Ellis    
13. Brooke Ford    
14. Melissa Fowler     
15. Jenie Gao   
16. Randi Gordon
17. Erin Guymon  
18. Erin Hanson     
19. Caitlin Hogan     
20. Loretta  Holland   
21. Katie Howard Clemens   
22. JJ
23. Penny Knapik
24. Leslie Koch    
25. Meredith Kroot    
26. Natasha Kuo    
27. Karoline Leopold    
28. Libby Levinson    
29. Ann Longino    
30. Meghan Lydon    
31. Crystal Marsh     
32. Lauren Mirecki  
33. Gabby Mooningham     
34. Alicia Ooi    
35. Amy Parsons    
36. Kori Podjan    
37. Natalie Purcel   
38. Leslie  Reese   
39. Cyn  Richardson   
40. Katryna Robinson   
41. Jo Ruksenas   
42. Patty Rusin   
43. Sarah Sherman   
44. Breanna Smith  
45. Debbie  Vassil   
46. Kimberly Waltman   
47. Jean Weiss   
48. Ashley Welsh   
49. Semaira Williams   
50. Cathy Wood

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the new team!  If your name is on this list, look for an email in the next day or two with details and the recipe so that you can get started!

Deep and sincere thanks to all who applied.  If you were not chosen, you may still be picked for future rounds if any of the Explorers drop out.