Cupcakes! It’s the festive season and what better way to celebrate than with little bundles of joy! They come in every shape and flavour possible, and are great for all occasions; everything from birthday parties to office gatherings, to baby showers. They can be a guilty pleasure, a small treat, a yummy indulgence. Tempo tested a few around town…
Where: Victoria Line Café
What: Carrot Cupcake
Build: Carrot Cupcake with walnuts topped with cream cheese icing.
Comment: The Icing was stiff and a bit of a let-down. But the cake itself was among the best I’ve had. Fine grated carrot along with generous shavings of walnuts gave the right crunch and perfect moistness. The cupcake was soft, gooey and yummy all at the same time.
Recommendation: Although this cafe is quite new their cupcakes suggest they may have great staying power.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Where: Bloomsbury
What: Double Chocolate Heaven
Build: Rich chocolate sponge cake topped with chocolate fudge icing.
Comment: A cupcake for all chocolate lovers. Bloomsbury excels in cupcakes and this is one of their best flavours. The chocolate fudge cream melts in your mouth. The cake blends in with the icing and is tender and moist – almost like having a real rich, pure chocolate ice-cream.
Recommendation: They have a variety of cupcake flavours and options including a dedicated section of diabetic/ diet friendly cupcakes for health buffs.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Where: Cinnabon
What: Vanilla cupcake
Build: Vanilla sponge cake topped with vanilla icing.
Comment: The cupcake was a bit too sticky and I was disappointed that the smell of yummy vanilla was just not happening. The icing was the best part of the cupcake and even that was somewhat clumpy. Cinnabon does great with cinnamon rolls, but they really should put a bit more effort if they’re to do well in cupcakes.
Recommendation: Their chocolate cupcakes are worth a try.
Rating: 3 stars
Where: Mama’s Cupcakes
What: Red Velvet
Build: Red Velvet cupcake topped with cream cheese icing.
Comment: The “in-style” cupcake of the season – red velvet cupcakes are making waves everywhere, and good old Mama’s is right on top of the crest. The icing was creamy and did not compromise on the delectable sweet sour-ness of the cream cheese. The red velvet cake itself could have been softer, and fresher, but the taste was not compromised in any way.
Recommendation: Mama’s cupcakes are wide variety in variety and include a not to be missed passion-fruit cupcake.
Rating: 4 stars
