How do I Choose the Best Cupcake Shops?

At one time, cupcakes were mainly thought of as a make-at-home staple at parties for children under 10 years old, but that’s no longer true. Dating, some say, from their appearance on the television show Sex and the City, cupcakes have been undergoing a revival and finding new audiences. With their new appeal, cupcake shops have been springing up, and choosing the best cupcake shops has become a question of heightened interest.

Finding the best cupcake shops for your purposes will depend on a number of factors. One of the most important is ingredients. If you, or someone you purchase cupcakes for, has any dietary restrictions, that factor will likely be top of the list. There are gluten-free cupcakes, vegan, nut-free, and low-sugar cupcakes available at cupcakes shops. Kosher and dairy (milchig) cupcakes are also an option.

Taste is another key component when choosing where to purchase your cupcakes. Since people have different opinions about questions such as how bitter or sweet chocolate should be and what amount of frosting becomes cloying rather than perfect, tasting a cupcake for yourself is the best way to decide if it fits your bill. If that’s not an option, an online search may help you locate a cupcake review that will let you know if the cupcake shop you are eyeing tends to have bland or dry products, for example. As you search for a shop that suits you, keep in mind that some cupcake bakeries operate on a rotating menu or may run out of particular flavors, so you may not always find what you want waiting for you: some advance planning may be required.

Size can be a hotly disputed cupcake quality. Some people think a small cupcake is a mini-cupcake, while to others it’s a different thing altogether: a fairy cake. People have been known to complain about cupcakes that they felt were too large, tempting them to eat more than they wished to.

The cupcake shop’s location and shipping and/or delivery policy is another important issue as you figure out how and when you can get your cupcakes. Store hours are also an important consideration. Some cupcake shops have multiple locations and are open late. Some specialize in mail order. Some offer cupcake catering. Often a website will provide all the information you need.

If your cupcake needs go beyond the imagination of the baker, for example, a specialized theme for a birthday party, business gathering, or other occasion, customization options and policies will be of interest to you. And if you are looking for cupcake shops with goodies suitable for pets, you might have to look a bit harder, but dog cupcakes are available. Keep in mind that chocolate is not good for dogs, so they should not be finishing up chocolate or chocolate-frosted cupcakes made for humans.