As you’ve seen on the news, much of Moore, Oklahoma, was leveled by an EF-5 tornado. With winds reaching at least 200 mph, countless homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings were destroyed. Sadly, 24 lives were lost during the storm. To help with the relief, Sprinkles Cupcakes will be donating 100% of their proceeds from the purchase of their red velvet cupcakes adorned with red crosses to the Red Cross’ Oklahoma chapters today. You can help out by purchasing those cupcakes today.

Yes, you read that correctly. April 22 is Earth Day and you should do your part. You can purchase an electric car, take public transportation, stay away from plastic grocery bags, or you can eat cupcakes. Every year, Sprinkles Cupcakes donates 100% of its profits to an environmental care organization. This year, the cupcakery is donating to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Who doesn’t love the botanical gardens? Since 2008, Sprinkles has donates over $68,000 to organizations like these. Way to go Sprinkles.

We want one. At our home.But for now, the Beverly Hills location of Sprinkles Cupcakes is the only locale with the new 24 hour Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. Or rather, the ACM, the automatic cupcake machine. Dispensing love, one cake at a time, the machine is just outside the door, offering up their cakes from the machine and we assume, helping move along the daily mile-long line outside the Beverly Hills cupcakery. Click here to see the ACM in action.

If you’re going to eat something, you may as well enjoy it. This doesn’t mean over-indulgence in fried foods or sweets , nor does it say that guzzling coffee everyday is going to help you live a long and healthy life, but it does give a little leeway to the idea of having a strict diet, “not” eating certain foods or skipping meals. Whether your struggling to grab a quick cupcake when visiting our westernmost neighbor state (hey, it could happen) or escaping the city life in the White Mountains, we’ve got ways to help you get what you want wherever you are. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

Naturally, when one thinks of a Bloody Mary, beef is the next thing that comes to mind. Okay, maybe not, but the idea isn’t totally disgusting, right? EaterAZ sure thinks the two were a match made in hangover heaven thanks to Benny’s and the creation of Benny’s Bloody Mary Beef Straw (direct. to the point). These salty cylinders of beef only cost about a dollar each and you can order them here or try them out at Copper Blues and CJ Talley’s Pub where they are currently used, according to EaterAZ. Mmmm. Beef.

So this idea that machines are going to take over the world is still a legitimate fear for many people. We’re not saying us, but after running morning errands where an ATM deposited our checks and transferred funds at the click of a button and a car wash turned our vehicles from off-road to paved road acceptable for only five bucks and a quick drive through, it’s easy to see where the fear comes from. Now, thanks to a Sprinkles in Beverly HIlls, cupcakes can come to you without having to speak to a single person. That’s right, Chow Bella has reported on the earth shattering invention of the Cupcake ATM. A large, pink dispensary open 24 hours that will deliver those frosting laden tiny cakes with the swipe of a card and eliminate any human contact. It’s happening.

Finally, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Justin Lee of Justin Eats, but the wait was worth it as he has delivered quite the list of where to dine when you find yourself in the White Mountains region. The list has taken years of escapes to White Mountain to curate  and doesn’t include the abundance of  ”mediocre BBQ” and “neon hued sauces that could incite diabetic shock” . The list includes eight restaurants in the area that range from Mexican (pictured above) to not-mediocre BBQ to Italian and pretty much everything you might crave when you find yourself two and a half hours away from the food mecca that is the Valley. Read the list here.

Until next week, eat well, my friends.

images via EaterAZ and JustinEats

Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Okay, what about free cupcakes? And just to sweeten the deal, they come from the awesome and renowned Sprinkles bakery. On February 29th, Sprinkles will be offering a free dozen (that’s right, a dozen) cupcakes to all Leap Year Babies. You’re only eligible if your birthday is on February 29. And if it’s not your birthday, get some anyway, they’re delicious.

Sprinkles | 4501 North Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale, Arizona 85281

The Scottsdale Fire Department along with a fire truck is dropping by Sprinkles today from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to help raise awareness for the Sprinkles toy drive. Stop in now until December 18 and bring a new, unwrapped toy for kids through high school and receive a free cupcake. The toy drive is part of the Scottsdale Fire Department’s annual toy drive which provides gifts to local underprivileged children. Organizations benefitting from the toy drive include the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Program and Scottsdale’s Paiute Neighborhood Center.

Sprinkles Cupcakes | 4501 N. Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 

Congratulations to the following random winners of our 3rd Annual Scoop Factory Scoopstakes Week One presented by Biltmore Fashion Park Week. We’ll be contacting you soon on how to collect your prize. 

Keep reading next week for WEEK TWO’s flurry of freebies with our Grand Prize featuring a one night stay at the Montelucia Resort & Spa on New Year’s Eve, 2 tickets to the Montelucia’s NYE party featuring music by Radio Junket and DJ XXXclusive plus his & hers Remix Watches plus his & hers haircuts by Michelle at Boujis Salon so you’ll be looking hot for your big night out! »READ MORE

Get ready for a flurry of freebies because Scoop Factory’s annual Scoopstakes is back, December 5 – December 16, presented this year by Biltmore Fashion Park! What’s a Scoopstakes, you ask? It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our subscribers for being so darned awesome. But wait, what’s a Scoop Factory? It’s our FREE daily magazine that delivers the latest in local dining, style, design news, as well as insider tips and exclusive events. You can’t win if you don’t Scoop, so sign up today here!

For 10 full days from Monday, December 5 – Friday, December 16, we’ll be giving away AMAZING prize packages to top local restaurants, boutiques, salons, resorts and more. Want your chance to win? Simply sign up for our FREE email publication at www.scoopfactory.com, and we’ll deliver daily Scoops of how to win right to your email inbox. Prize packs and conditions of entry will vary in each Scoop, but one thing is for sure, if you don’t Scoop you can’t win. And if your friends are signed up, they can’t win and share with you! Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies we’re throwin’ your way, but shhhh … you didn’t hear it from us! »READ MORE

Some might argue that we’re a little too obsessed with Sprinkles Cupcakes in Scottsdale. To which we say, we can;t hear you over the sounds of our own oohing and awing as we much down another of these fluffy, frosted little tastes of heaven. More important, this Saturday Sprinkles will be giving away these gourmet sugary delights absolutely free!

Yes, Sprinkles Scottsdale is turning three this Saturday, May 7, and is celebrating by offering free cupcakes to the first 100 guests who walk in the door. Even cooler, if your birthday is also on May 7, Sprinkles will treat you to a free box of one dozen cupcakes. Simply flash your ID and all that cream-topped goodness is all yours, lucky Taurus.

And so the upscale dessert train rolls on. First it was cupcakes that got the froufrou treatment, as gourmet ‘cupcakeries’ such as Sprinkles in LA and New York’s Magnolia Bakery turned this bake sale favorite into a posh (and pricey) status symbol. Next, frozen yogurt was rescued from the trashbin of history when the much-copied Pinkberry took this 1980s fad to a whole new level thanks to pretty packaging and a slew of celebrity fans. Then it was the classic churro that went from deep-fried fair food to ‘premium Spanish fritters’ with the opening of xooro here in the Valley.

Now the latest indulgence to go the chichi route is the humble doughnut. According to the NY Times, ever-more outlandish fried pastries are all the rage among hipster foodies, including doughnuts glazed with (clockwise from top left) “hibiscus flowers, chocolate chipotle, plain glazed, chocolate with cacao nibs, dulce de leche with toasted almonds and toasted coconut.”

So where can you lay your hands on some top-flight doughnuts here in the Valley?

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As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it

All weekend long Gap clothing is pulling back the curtain on its newest locations (including Gap, GapBody, GapKids and babyGap) with a can’t-miss style extravaganza at the Scottsdale Quarter. No seriously, there will complimentary food & drink, fashion shows, live music, plus fun for the kiddies such as face painting and a rock climbing wall. Meanwhile, Gap stylists will be on-site and offering up expert advice on today’s hottest Spring and Summer fashions. Not to mention, Gap will be giving out 1,000 VIP shopping passes offering 10% off any purchase for Scottsdale Quarter locations for an entire year.

Get the full itinerary for this coming weekend after the jump:

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Starting this Friday, April 15, Gap is pulling back the curtain on its newest locations (including Gap, GapBody, GapKids and babyGap) with a can’t-miss style extravaganza at the Scottsdale Quarter. No seriously, all weekend long there will complimentary food & drink, fashion shows, live music, plus fun for the kiddies such as face painting and a rock climbing wall. Meanwhile, Gap stylists will be on-site and offering up expert advice on today’s hottest Spring and Summer fashions. Not to mention, Gap will be giving out 1,000 VIP shopping passes offering 10% off any purchase for Scottsdale Quarter locations for an entire year.

Which is great and all. But dang it, you’re a DLT reader. And you won’t settle for any ol’ giveaway. Which is why we’ve locked up an exclusive prize package just for you.

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Tomorrow, March 22, Sprinkles Cupcakes will donate 100% of the revenues from its Red Cross Red Velvet cupcakes to the relief efforts in Japan

Aside from making a direct donation to the American Red Cross right now, there are many opportunities to support the relief efforts for the recent and devastating Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami that are happening all around the Valley. Open your hearts and your wallets to give to those in need and head to these local restaurants making an effort to support cause.

Today, March 21,  Sushi Roku will donate 25% off all their proceeds to the Red Cross. All you have to do is dine there for lunch or dinner.

From now until March 31, both Nobuo at Teeter House and Roka Akor will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Red Cross.

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DLT‘s, Gal About Town, Amanda Szot is back with another video report card. This time, she tackles sugary soiree that was our exclusive tasting event at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Scottsdale. Can you say German Chocolate cupcakes and drinkable chocolate? Amanda can, but it sure is hard to talk when your mouth is full of golden caramel laced with fresh coconut and crunchy pecans.

Scoop Factory must be on a sugar high, because they’re sharing this exclusive offer to an invite-only Sprinkles Cupcake tasting event here in Scottsdale:

Oh my goodness, Scoopers. Have we got a fun one for you today. We hope you’ve already thrown in the towel on that silly New Year’s diet, because this tasty morsel is too sweet to pass up.

Tonight, Sprinkles Cupcakes is doing something that they’ve never done before. And we’ve got an exclusive invite just for our readers. Yes, on January 11, Sprinkles in Downtown Scottsdale is inviting loyal customers (that’s you) to visit their store from 7 – 9 pm (after they close for the day) for a FREE sneak peek tasting of their latest flavor.

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It’s finally open. After month of delays, the latest dessert craze has landed in the Valley. Yes, xooro, the so-called gourmet churro company (and pronounced sure-oh) is now open at the Shops at Norterra in northeast Phoenix. What’s a xooro? Get all the delicious, deep-fried and sugar-dusted details after the jump.

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We’re now thinking pizza party thanks to our pals at Scoop Factory:

We’ve all been there. You’re planning a nice get-together or a happy hour pig-out with friends, when suddenly (whah-whah) someone has a food allergy. Before you know it, you’re looking at a meal of broiled chicken or bread-less ’pizza.’ And forget about dessert, unless you want to be the one scarfing down cupcakes in front of your starving, gluten-adverse friend. Well fear not, because we’ve discovered three gluten-free treats guaranteed to taste like honest-to-goodness food.

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