Beware the carrot cake cupcakes at the South Wedge's Cheesy Eddie's: our Chow Hound found it hard to eat just one. PHOTO BY MATT DETURCK
Cupcakes are one of those treats that are beloved at any age. As a kid, the sugary mess of heavily dyed frosting was key for me; I rarely cared about how the cupcake itself tasted. As an adult, however, I find myself intrigued by inspired combinations. I recently picked up a cupcake cookbook and was almost overwhelmed at the options a baker could whip up in the kitchen. That got me to wondering what local bakeries were up to with their cupcakes.
Surprisingly, many of bakeries we visited didn't even carry cupcakes, and a few leaned toward just vanilla and chocolate, so we tried to avoid those tired combinations as much as possible. Maybe that is what sells, but as a foodie I'd like to think we're a bit more adventurous than that at this point.
Here are our takes on a few of our stops. If your favorite cupcake isn't on the list, tell us about it at rochestercitynewspaper.com/restaurants.
Baker Street Bakery
745 Park Ave, 24-3120
This small bakery features bare-bones decor, letting the large, busy kitchen define the space. There were only two varieties of cupcakes to choose from, vanilla and chocolate. We went with the vanilla, and it left us wanting more. The cupcake itself was dense and almost flavorless, and the frosting too sweet for my liking. It was, however, decorated with sprinkles and a perfect swirl of frosting. ($1.50 each)
Cheesy Eddie's
602 South Ave, 473-1300
This cheesecake store almost didn't make the list, until I randomly went to its website and saw carrot cake cupcakes on the menu. Excited to sample one of my favorite desserts in cupcake form, we went into the charming space in the South Wedge. A long display case of goodies dominates one room, and an adjoining airy room with tables allows you to sample your purchases immediately. This cupcake was pure fabulousness. The cream cheese frosting was smooth and rich, the cake a carrot cake lovers dream - dense and delicious. It was hard to not take another for the road. ($2.25 each)
Goodness Cakes
720 University Ave, 271-1890
This bakery has never failed me in the year it has been open. A lover of the tarts, I decided to give the cupcakes a try. These were beautiful little miniature cupcakes decorated so preciously that I had to take a picture. Even though these are bite-sized treats, they are treated with as much respect as the wedding cakes the bakery specializes in. The red velvet cake was moist and flavorful, with frosting that was just about perfect - light and frothy, with just the right amount of sweetness. The vanilla bean cupcake was a bit more traditional, with sweeter frosting and a basic cake. (80 cents each)
Starry Nights Cafe
696 University Ave, 271-2630
I got excited when I saw the inventiveness of the frosting on this café's specialty cupcakes, decorated to look like the Van Gogh painting that is the business's namesake. I was also encouraged by the description, which billed the cupcake as homemade and filled with blackberry jam. My first bite provided some odd taste that I couldn't quite define. Luckily, one of my friends was a non-jam lover, and wanted to taste just the frosting. The verdict? We decided that the nasty taste came courtesy of freezer burn. The cupcake itself was decent, the addition of the jam filling making for a moist, flavorful cake. Unfortunately, the cupcake in its entirety failed. Note that there is also a vegan chocolate fudge cupcake variety, too. ($3.95 each)
Max Market
2949 Monroe Ave, 271-1210
After hearing how good its cupcake display looked, we decided to give this fairly new gourmet grocery store a shot. While I agree that the cupcakes are visually appealing, we were a bit disappointed in the taste. The snowball cupcake ($5), a coconut cake with vanilla bean custard and a shredded coconut topping, was good when the bite included the filling or frosting, but the cake itself was incredibly dry. The chocolate cupcake ($4) was also very dry without the filling to save it, although the frosting bites redeemed it with a light mocha swirl. The red velvet cupcake ($4) was the best of the bunch, with a moist cake and a cream cheese frosting that complemented without overpowering.
Comments for "CHOW HOUND: Cupcakes" (11)
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gloria said on Jun. 10, 2009 at 5:05pm
The most important thing about your review of local cupcakes was that it was TRUTHFUL. Too often in Rochester there is almost no such thing as a candid review, as if Booster was our middle name. The purpose of a candid review is to motivate improvement, which benefits us all. Thank you.
Karl Abbott said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 12:50pm
My favorite cupcakes come from Lori's Natural Food Center. Not only are they delicious, but they are gluten free and vegan! They are made fresh two days a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). They come in a variety of flavors; strawberry short cake, blueberry lemon, mocha coconut, pistachio rosewater, and S'mores to name a few. And, at $5.50 for two it is a reasonable price.
coma girl said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 6:59pm
I highly recommend both the Little Bakery and Sweet Chicks Pastry Shoppe. The former is one of the best bakeries in the city; the latter is a newer shop on E. Main Street near the four corners downtown. Both have incredible cupcakes (as well as many other treats...all guilt-free, of course!)
Jason Kafer said on Jun. 13, 2009 at 8:49pm
Cupcakes are great, especially the mini ones. We found a company here in Rochester that can actually take your companies logo, make it out of chocolate, and put it on the cupcake. We recently used their services at an event we did and they were the hit of the party, great for brand recognition. Check them out, The Cupcake Dreamery, at www.thecupcakedreamery.com or call them at 585-414-7784
funkypenguin said on Jun. 13, 2009 at 11:54pm
I just tried the BEST strawberry rhubarb cupcakes (filled, no less!) from the Eco Bella vegan/gluten-free/organic bakery on South Ave. in the South Wedge. They were much moister, richer and overall better tasting than any other alternative baked good I have ever had. Even if you aren't someone who needs to stay strictly vegan or gluten-free, you are sure to love these cupcakes...as well as their other fabulous goodies!
Dancing Debbie said on Jun. 14, 2009 at 11:33am
Cupcakes are the new dessert! I have ordered from The Cupcake Dreamery and not only are they delicious, the owner is able to put faces on the cupcake. It is great for birthdays, anniversarys, bridal showers and weddings. If you want something unique, this is the place to go. The phone number is 585- 414-7784.
Ken said on Jun. 15, 2009 at 10:09am
Best tasting cupcakes as well as appealing. I'd say Cupcake Dreamery. Their mini-cupcakes are unbelieveable - too good looking to eat. But when you do eat one, it's so gooood! The artistic designs (they can do just about any design) is something to see. You have to include them in any review of cupcakes
jeremy Meltzer said on Jun. 16, 2009 at 10:13am
Sweet Chicks is great. They are also at the Public Market
The Little Bakery also has wonderful cupcakes.
Kapow said on Jun. 28, 2009 at 9:02pm
I would have to disagree about the comments made about the cupakes at Max's Market. I have bought many cupcakes there and have throughly enjoyed them. They are not only moist, but large and the frosting has a sweet smooth texture. I would agree the red velvet cupcakes are out of this world as are the other cupakes. There were grasshopper cupcakes made for St. Patrick's Day that were delicious. There are also other phenomenal baked goods at Max's Market that deserve recognition.
Jeff said on Jul. 21, 2009 at 4:52pm
I think Tricia shouldn't be allowed to do food reviews anymore!
I speak specifically about her review of the cupcakes at Starry Nites cafe. I think the baker that makes the cupcakes sold there is brilliant. The Starry Nites cupcakes themselves are beautiful (a rendition of the Van Gogh painting that the cafe is named after) and very tasty. And, the really wide range of variety of other cupcakes they offer are equally as appealing and delicious.
Anyone can get a "bad" meal or food item anywhere. It happens. It happens in the best of restaurants. But, can you really judge a restaurant on one bad experience? I think not.
If Tricia tried her cupcake and thought something was wrong with it, then why didn't she go up to the counter and tell someone??? Wouldn't that be the logical and appropriate thing to do? That way, she could see how the issue of a complaint was handled and she could have had the opportunity to be given another (or different) cupcake to try.
I have had MANY of the wonderful cupcakes that Starry Nites offers and I have never been disappointed. I have also tried cupcakes from some of the other places that were reviewed and they were alright, but didn't measure up to the ones offered at Starry Nites. I have met and spoken to the chef/baker there, and I know that he pays a lot of attention to his baked goods and puts a lot of time, energy and care into them. Some of his creations are so wonderful and unique, that I have seen other places around town start to copy them.
Cupcake Lover said on Aug. 02, 2009 at 11:02am
I ordered some cupcakes from this new places called Cupcake Dreamery based upon what Jason had said on Jun 13th. They were soggy, way too sweet and EXPENSIVE for the size. Only to find out after the fact that Jason is the owners boy friend. Beware when you read these reviews!
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