I have the pleasure of knowing and being friendly with two very smart, very pretty and very determined young bakers: Determined to feed you cupcakes (and delicious ones at that)!

I shot some questions over to Dana and Katie at Open Source Cupcakes to see what inspired them to start a cupcake biz and what keeps us coming back for more!

Who are you guys anyway?

Dana: I’m Dana, full time cupcake lover…I’m 22. During the day I work out of Indy Hall, a coworking space in Old City. I help run the office, coordinate events and anything else that comes up.

Katie: I’m Katie, an art major and avid cupcake lover. I just turned 26 yesterday. Jeez! To pay my rent, I work in a Physical Therapy office. I love working with people and patients are great, though if I could bake cupcakes all day every day, I certainly would. We met through our mutual friend Eric Smith. Before we met, he told us both that we’d be instant best friends because we both liked painting, cupcakes, and were short. He was right, on all accounts.

How did you start baking together?

Dana: It just happened, kind of like magic. She was there, I was there… the baking happened, and before we knew it there was chocolate cake, poached pears and jam filled cupcakes. Both of us are pretty territorial in a kitchen, but again with the magic, we didn’t get in each other’s way or cause any major accidents. I couldn’t believe it. That’s pretty amazing since it was the first time we really hung out.

Katie: We both already baked at least once a week just because, so we decided to have a bake-off in my kitchen to try out a few recipes we had discussed. The first bake off went so well that it ended up being a weekly affair. There hasn’t been a weekend since we met that we didn’t spend at least a few hours baking.

How did you decide to start a cupcake corporation?

Dana: Hmmm cupcake corporation seems a little grand… but I’ll go with it. Working out of Indy Hall, there is an amazing “you can do it” type atmosphere. I was making cupcakes every Thursday to bring into the office, and before long I had my co workers hooked. Their support helped put me in a positive attitude to start seriously thinking about making something bigger happen. I also had Katie with me every step, we lean on each other and keep each from getting discouraged. It’s a beautiful relationship.

Katie: We decided over Thai… One night over Drunken Noodles, Dana said to me, “Katie, is this really what you want to do?” I said, “Yes, absolutely.” She responded, “So let’s do it then.” Everything just picked up from there. She totally pushes me in the right direction. I admire her for that.

We wanted a place where other cupcake lovers could share their passion with us! A website seemed like the first logical step.

What are your favorite cupcakes?

Dana: Now you’re asking the tough questions! I have to say the jam filled cupcakes that Katie and I made the first time we were baking together are my favorite. They are perfect. They are my favorite to make AND eat. Second favorite are pumpkin spice with a cream cheese frosting, absolutely delicious. I’m looking forward to making some mint chocolate cupcakes. Also, Tim, our web designer, has us making his wedding cupcakes. His fiancée is gluten intolerant, so I’m slightly nervous, but excited, to make some gluten free treats.

Katie: Actually, I’m not a huge cake fan! I don’t hate it, but I don’t usually eat it. Which is probably a good thing, considering I bake so often. But if I had to choose, my Aunt Coreen’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes rock. Secret family recipe. Don’t worry, they will be at CupcakeCamp East on Sunday for those of you who want to try them! I like making all kinds. I love trying new recipes and don’t usually repeat a recipe unless it’s asked for….The decorating of the cupcakes is probably my favorite part, though. Must be the art major in me. There is a recipe I found recently for chocolate cake with chunks of chocolate and candy cane baked in. Sounds like a great winter cupcake! I will certainly be trying it next.

Okay, million dollar question: Where’d you get your name?

Dana: “Open Source” is a term generally used by programmers to reference code. When the code is open source, anyone can see it and use it. What does it have to do with cupcakes? Well, our site is [a] place for people to share recipes and talk about them. The information is shared, and forms a stronger community. Hopefully people will want to contribute what they make in exchange for recipes that others have tried. That’s where the name comes from

For all of you guys and gals who are around this Sunday, stop by Indy Hall for CupcakeCamp East—just be sure to bring some cupcakes along to share!

Open Source Cupcakes
www.opensourcecupcakes.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=31090679653
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/opensourcecupcakes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/opnsrccupcakes

Want some? Contact Dana and Katie at contact@opensourcecupcakes.com