The proliferation of bakeries in Los Angeles makes it hard for cupcake junkies to kick the habit. To support your fix, we chose the best shops to get these whimsically decorated, miniature cakes of love. See you at the next Cupcake Anonymous meeting.
CRUMBS BAKE SHOP
9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
(310) 550-9811; www.CrumbsBakeShop.com
At this New York-born bakery, they serve up massive cupcakes impossible to eat without a fork and toppings that include Snickers, mini M&Ms and Oreos – pretty hardcore stuff. Those craving both chocolate and vanilla must get their signature cupcake the Artie Lange, named after the “Howard Stern Show” personality.
VIOLET’S CAKES
21 E. Holly St., Pasadena
(626) 395-9821; www.violetscakes.com
Moist, rich and made with love, Violet’s home-style cupcakes are just how grandma used to bake them. The simple vanilla cupcake with velvety vanilla frosting is angelic, but you should also try the French Toast – so good you’ll eat them for breakfast.
MILK
7290 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
(323) 939-6455; www.themilkshop.com
Idiosyncratic cupcakes are found in this modern day ice cream parlor. The cake is dense and luscious, but it’s the aesthetic here that’s indelible – I couldn’t stop staring at their visually stunning cupcakes.
AUNTIE EM’S KITCHEN
4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock
(323) 255-0800; www.auntieemskitchen.com
A pastiche of second-hand furniture, rainbow walls, flowered tablecloths and the black and white checkered floor: the quirky atmosphere is why you should come here. And the giant cupcakes. The red velvet is highly revered, with heaps of frosting and spongy soft cake.
DOT’S CUPCAKES
400 S. Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena
(626) 568-3687; www.dotscupcakes.com
Extremely sumptuous cupcakes, from the creamy texture to the saccharine frosting, are made here using fine ingredients like Madagascar Bourbon and Tahitian vanilla extract.
LARK SILVER LAKE CAKE SHOP
3337 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles
(323) 667-2968; larkcakeshop.com
At $1.95, Lark’s cupcakes are cheap, and the frosting isn’t tooth-rotting sweet. The Strawberry Shortcake cupcake with fresh strawberries is just a sampling of the creative concoctions they offer.
YUMMY CUPCAKES
2918 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, (818) 558-1080
313 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 393-8283
www.yummycupcakes.com
Yummy offers – are you ready? – 100 cupcake flavors! They also recognize the genius of combining two joys in life – alcohol and cupcakes. Mojitos and Margaritas in cupcake form?! Sounds strange, but they’re delicious. They also have a “cupcake bar” to create customized cupcakes with toppings like Captain Crunch.
BIG SUGAR BAKE SHOP
12182 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
(818) 508-5855; www.bigsugarbakeshop.com
This little bakery offers charming confections like chococcino and double coconut cupcakes. While technically not a cupcake, their inventive donut muffin is close to one and is equally enjoyable.
BUTTERCAKE BAKERY
10595 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
(310) 470-6770; www.buttercakebakery.com
Classic flavors like mocha, red velvet and buttercream in Spring colors will make you instantly jovial. No amount of fondants or gimmicky toppings will ever take the place of a simple vanilla cupcake with old-fashioned buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
LEDA’S BAKE SHOP
13722 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
(818) 386-9644; www.ledasbakeshop.com
Sometimes cupcakes are too pretty to eat. Leda’s petite cupcakes are delicate works of art that should be admired in a display case forever. But no one has been able to practice the “look, don’t touch” rule here. Vegan cupcakes are also available.
JOAN’S ON THIRD
8346 W. Third St., Los Angeles
(323) 655-2285; www.joansonthird.com
Celebrity power lunch spots may be a turnoff, but the cupcakes are worthy: the pumpkin, topped with sugar crystals; the “cloud” – a chocolate cupcake with marshmallow on top, then dipped in chocolate.
MALIBU KITCHEN
3900 Cross Creek Road, Ste 3, Malibu
(310) 456-7845
The rustic county mart’s cupcakes only come in three flavors – chocolate, vanilla and carrot – but what it lacks in selection it makes up for in gargantuan size. They are moist, playful and topped with mountains of icing. The vanilla cupcake with gumdrops, jellybeans and tarts will make you feel like a kid again.
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