the evolution of the cupcake: from safeway to cupcakery

The relationship between a child and a cupcake is magical. Growing up, cupcakes were such a novelty. They were THE favored treat during birthday celebrations. I remember the excitement in the classroom...the anticipation of whether the treats were cupcakes or donuts, and the utter delight when cupcakes were distributed throughout the classroom. Occasionally, if you were lucky, you'd be in the class with the kid who had the super ambitious soccer mom who baked the magically delicious moist confetti cake cupcakes with the fluorescent splotches of color and the rainbow spotted frosting. But typically they were bought from Safeway and you had your pick of either chocolate or vanilla. Nowadays, the world of cupcakes is a bit different. Vanilla is now buttercream and chocolate is no longer just chocolate...it's red velvet, german chocolate cake, double fudge cake, etc.

As a cupcake advocate, I've been on many quests to different cupcakeries and have had the opportunity sample my fair share. These are just a few of my favorites...

The Gourmet Nomad's Top 5 favorite cupcakes:
(in no particular order)

1. Love at First Bite: Pretty in Pink
1510 Walnut Street, Suite G Berkeley, CA

I've fallen head over heals. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, it's so delightful that it's almost whimsical. The cake is light and the icing is good without being overly sweet or heavy. It's almost like a compact strawberry shortcake. The best part is that they use real strawberries!



2. Buttercup Bake Shop: Devil Dog
973 2nd Avenue New York, NY

This cupcake is absolutely sinful. Devils food cake topped with a lightly whipped meringue icing. While the cake is good, the icing takes the cake. It is phenomenal. Light, sweet and perfectly complementary to it's chocolate base! While too sweet for some, it's perfect if you have a sweet tooth. Buttercup is far better than the other overrated cupcakeries in the city - ahem, Crumbs and Magnolia.



3 + 4. Sibby's Cupcakery: Grandma's Chocolate Tea Cake and Red Velvet
716 S Railroad Ave San Mateo, CA

I've had several cupcakes from Sibby's and I haven't been disappointed with a single one, which isn't a surprise since all their cupcakes are freshly baked to order daily. Never have I had a cupcake as moist and indulgent. NEVER. When you taste one of Sibby's cupcakes you know that there's a lot of love put into baking it with the highest quality ingredients....

Grandma's Chocolate Tea Cake is adorable - it's basically an upscale version of a hostess cupcake. Unbelievably moist chocolate cake with a nice cream cheese chocolate chip center. The frosting is equally rich and enjoyable. Milk is a definite must with this cupcake.

The red velvet is hands down the best I've had. I've had many red velvet cupcakes, and some have been on the dry side. This cake was super moist and the cream cheese frosting was complementary without being too overpowering.




5. Zaftig's: Coconut Cupcake
335 Harvard St. Brookline, MA

While Zaftig's is better known for their amazing brunch selection and their loaded pastrami sandwiches, they make a mean cupcake. Surprisingly, this is among the best coconut cupcakes I've had. Really moist, great coconut flavor and I loved having coconut flakes in the frosting. The only thing is that the frositng was a bit heavy for my liking but otherwise it was a nice treat!

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