Cupcake Cup Final Four

The Washingtonian debuted their "bracket-style" cupcake tournament earlier this month. Four cupcakes remain:

• Curbside Cupcakes
• Georgetown Cupcake
• Bakeshop
• Something Sweet

I really like the idea of this contest, but unlike the basketball version-- the picks weren't ranked, pitting some of the best places against one another too early in the rounds. The best cupcake shop in DC (Baked & Wired) was knocked out in the 2nd round-- not because their cupcakes aren't the best, but because they were up against Curbside Cupcakes whose business model revolves around Facebook and Twitter (you have to follow them to know where their truck is going to be each day). When I voted for B&W early in the week, they were way ahead 65% to 35%.... then after Curbside posted to facebook and twitter they soared ahead. Smart move-- I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, I am saying that the contest measures who has more facebook fans than who has the best cupcakes.

I think Curbside Cupcakes deserves to be there though-- I finally tried one and I was impressed-- definitely Top 5. Georgetown Cupcake isn't a surprise, I'll just be happy if this over-hyped place doesn't take it all. Bakeshop is a new place I haven't tried (they just opened their first shop in Clarendon) but can't wait too! I'm also happy that Something Sweet made the short list. I don't think they'll win it, but hopefully they'll get some more people to check them out!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite!

YoCake Review

This past September, YoCake opened in the Montgomery County Mall. It’s taken me a few months to get out there (not metro accessible), but it’s definitely worth sharing.

YoCake capitalizes on the cupcake trend and the fat-free frozen yogurt trend, offering several options of both at its food court location. I was surprised at just how many flavors there were! 16 cupcake flavors and 7 yogurt flavors. More on the yogurt in a bit, let’s talk cupcakes!

The spread of cupcakes is impressive (there are over 20 varieties on their menu, 12-16 of which are offered daily). Few cupcake shops offer that much variety everyday. I was immediately drawn to the classic vanilla-vanilla, but was also intrigued by the Amaretto, described to me as tasting like an almond cookie—yum!

They looked delicious, but I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of food court cupcakes. Let’s admit it, Panda Express doesn’t stack up to your local hole-in-the-wall Chinese take-away. But I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of YoCake’s cakes! Here’s my take on the vanilla:

• Size: Just right—not too small, not overwhelming. Very good size—think Hello Cupcake.
• Cost: $2.50 – perfectly priced for the size, taste, and location
• Cake: Dense and delicious, but a little dry.
• Frosting: Very creamy, even overnight it stayed soft. More butter/oil than sugar in the recipe, but still sweet enough.

These are definitely Top 10—maybe even Top 5, but I’d need to do some comparison tasting to be sure. I didn’t expect these to be so tasty, and will definitely be grabbing one every time I’m at that mall. The amaretto was definitely tasty, but a little too intense on the almond flavoring—so much so it didn’t taste like a cupcake.

The Amaretto had actual pieces of almond in the cake batter

After buying my staples, I inquired about the yogurt. Despite explaining that I wouldn’t be buying any yogurt this time, the girl behind the counter insisted I try a few samples. The vanilla and cheesecake were delicious (I don’t like the sour ones), and I can’t believe they’re all fat-free! If only the cupcakes were the same!!!

YoCake is open every day 10am-9pm in the Montgomery County Mall food court. Whether you choose yogurt or cupcakes, you won’t be disappointed!!

More DC Cupcake Openings

Since delivering my top 5, I've been slacking a bit in cupcake news department. Here's a summary of the latest developments:

1. Crumbs opening 6 cupcake shops in DC

Yes, its true. The famous Crumbs bakery chain of NYC is opening in the following DC neighborhoods this March.

• Georgetown (shocking!)
• Cleveland Park (perfect area to break into)
• Foggy Bottom (too close to Georgetown?)
• Rockville (residents have been begging for a cupcake shop)
• Clarendon (its about time a shop opened in NoVa)
• Reston (I'm sure this will make the soccer moms happy)

I have heard great things about this place even though I've never tried it. I'm a bit worried they might oversaturate the market a bit, but I'm especially excited that they are branching out to new neighborhoods outside of Georgetown and Dupont.

Crumbs claims to be the "first bake shop to introduce the gourmet cupcake" which isn't true, since we know that Baked & Wired opened in 2001, two years before Crumbs opened in 2003. Magnolia Bakery of NYC is often considered more famous and have longer lines (thanks to Sex and the City), but Crumbs is rumored to be much better on the blog circuit. Can't wait to try them!

2. Sprinkles to make DC debut in Georgetown
Another famous bakeshop is coming to the DC. Sprinkles, an LA based cupcake chain also gets high accolades from its patrons. Georgetown definitely seems like the "in" place to sell cupcakes... but I for one don't think its the smartest location choice. I worry that oversaturation will force only a few cupcake shops to survive. It shall be interesting to watch.

PS-if you want a sneak peak, you can bake your own Sprinkles cupcakes at home. They sell their cupcake mix at retailers like Williams Sonoma (thanks Keri for my Secret Pal gift last year).


3. Georgetown Cupcake on the Move
Georgetown Cupcake opened its 2nd location in Bethesda Row a few weeks ago and is re-locating their original location in Georgetown just down the street to a larger space. Yawn....

Yay for all the cupcake shops opening-- I hope we can support them all!

Curbside Cupcakes

There's another new cupcake venue in town, but this one's on wheels! Curbside Cupcakes is bringing the mobile cupcake van/truck/trailer concept (already popular in other cities) to DC. Unlike many other mobile cupcake shops, this one keeps you guessing where they are going to sell their treats everyday-- you have to follow them on twitter or facebook.

I haven't had a chance to try Curbside yet, because they tend to setup shop on the Hill or downtown. The pink van stays at one location until they cupcakes are all gone, which hasn't been very long-- usually sold out by 4pm.

In this economy, I think it's genius to buy a van and go to your customers, rather than pay rent and make your customers come to you. It might also keep business steady-- people will want to get them when they are in your neighborhood, because you don't know when they'll be back.

Like Red Velvet Cupcakery, Curbside appears to offer a relatively classic cupcake menu:

• Classic Vanilla
• Classic Chocolate
• Red Velvet
• Peanut Butter Cup
• Cream Cheese on Chocolate
• Chocolate on Vanilla
• Vanilla on Chocolate
• Mocha
• Key Lime
• Coconut

They only bake a few selections each day and you can find out which ones on their cupcake calendar. They are $3 a piece-- the going rate in this town, but a few yelp reviews indicate they might be on the small side.

I was hoping to try them ASAP, but they are taking some time off for Thanksgiving, and will be back selling cupcakes curbside December 1st.

Has anyone tried one yet? I'd love to know what you thought!

New Cupcake Shop, Frosting to Open in Friendship Heights

A new cupcake shop is opening in DC!!! Frosting, A Cupcakery will open in Friendship Heights, directly across the street from the Western Ave exit. I think this will the perfect addition to this trendy, upscale area. It's just down the street from Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Tiffany's, or for the rest of us its just up the street from Filene's Basement, TJMaxx, and JCrew. The best news? I work across the street!!!


The sign says its coming this "winter" and a press release indicates the "holiday season," so I'm hoping they will open in the next few months.

The family-owned shop will spotlight made-from-scratch, family recipe cupcakes, but will also sprinkle in some other comfort sweets. In addition to a bakeshop, Frosting anticipates their coffee and espresso bar will be as much of a part of the business as their baked goods.


Frosting-A Cupcakery has posted a number of photos on their facebook page. If the cupcakes taste as delicious as they look, this girl will be visiting at least weekly.

Check back for a review as soon as it opens-- I'll have more details on the menu, hours, and their cute shop!

DC Cupcake Shops Open 2nd Locations

Despite a number of critics saying that the cupcake craze is on its way out, a number of local cupcake shops are doing well enough to expand their businesses. This means more cupcakes in more locations, which can only be a good (wonderful) thing!

Red Velvet (on my Top 5 list coming soon) recently opened a 2nd location in Dupont Circle. The original is located in Penn Quarter/Gallery Place about a block from the Verizon Center.

New Location:
Dupont Circle
2029 P Street NW
202-822-2066

Georgetown Cupcake is set to open its 2nd location in Bethesda Row. Their treats were recently rated the "best cupcake" by Washingtonian Magazine, and I'm excited this location will be super close my new office. An upcoming post will reveal why this shop is popular, but doesn't make my Top 5 list.

New Location:

Bethesda Row
4834 Bethesda Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

Finally, rumor has it that Hello Cupcake (on my Top 5 list) is looking to expand in the Clarendon area... a quick call to the shop confirmed that the rumor is true, but its still in the early exploratory stages. I hope they do!!

Doesn't anyone want to open a shop in the Woodley Park/Cleveland Park area?? You'd have at least one very loyal customer. I'd be happy to open one myself, but just need an investor!