What’s the big deal?
The mad about muffins saga had begun when I was 8. I started making snacks for school from branded cake mixes of course. Growing up being obsessed with cartoons and comics (Disney, voltron, transformers, x-men etc..) the nearest choice were the Disney cupcakes that came with edible rice paper stamps with all your favorite characters. I was so proud to bring them to school. It was my form of bling. Oh the joy of childhood!
Above:Drooling by the window...The Cupcake Bakery
Years later, a new wave of cupcakes emerged from households into the mainstream. Long gone are the boring muffin standards of just blueberry or choc chip. Since bakeries around the globe such as Magnolia Bakery in New York (which I didn’t get to go too on my last visit..dang!) started popping up like ferrets, there are now more varieties than there are fruits, not to mention taking on a new art form.
Like my Curry Laksa Battles, I’m now on a quest to find the most flantastic cupcakes- the kind which defies the traditional rules of both presentation and ingredients. The kind that makes your eyes bead wide open when you see them in the window display and am really hoping for some surprises upon the first bite. Am I asking for too much? Am I setting my standards too high? Hell yeah!
And the contenders are…
The Cupcake Bakery
Details: 495 Collins St, Melbourne. 3000
Cupcakes devoured: The Hummingbird. The Cupcake Bakery’s version didn’t reach the heights of a true Hummingbird which is supposed to be moist with banana, pineapple flavours throughout, pecans and topped with soft, creamy cream cheese icing.
However, despite being a little dry, it was quite nice and I know this place will solve all the 3pm sugar cravings for the abundance of office workers nearby.
Choc Choc- the buttercream was granule. The cake was good but I expected something better than the sort you’d find in a packet of 4 at Coles. You feel me? I’d like to try out their other varieties soon. You can check out their website here.
$$$: 11.50 for 3 cupcakes.
Food Rehab Verdict: Still sane (good, not great but check it out if you’re in the area) – Orangelight
Little Cupcakes
Details: Shop 7 Degraves St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (03) 9077 0413
Cupcakes devoured: Among the many, there was the Red Velvet- yes, the cupcake species here are little as the name suggests, but I’m all about the quality than the quantity. This little beast packed a punch. The cake was moist but the cream cheese icing was the real winner with a hint of vanilla throughout. The double chocolate gem was densely delectable, filled with a dark chocolate blend and crowned with, yep you guessed it- more chocolate frosting.
Teddybear- was also perfect with a dense not too rich chocolately filling topped with buttercream icing that melts in the mouth and a tiny teddy. Check the one to the left yawning. Little did it know I’d devour it within seconds.
Jaffa (seasonal) – lucky I was in time for this beauty. The orange teamed up with the decadent chocolate cake was sublime I tell you! Again, Little Cupcakes’ sigmature icing worked well here. It had also been ages since I had Jaffas- they’re so oldskool, I love it. mmmmmm…. Also finger licking good was the cookies and cream variety.
I gobbled down many other varieties and had definitely hit my sugar peak for the day…perhaps the week! Help me….someone….anyone?! You may continue to drool at their website here.
$$$: 4.00- 5.00 each
Food Rehab Verdict: The Winner! Sent me to food rehab (Wowzer) – Greenlight
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These look amazing! Can’t wait to try them out! Thanks for the post! 🙂
Hey Elle- thanks! Yes, please do. Which reminds me, I have an updated pic to load for Little Cupcakes! They are small, but pack a punch to resolve those sugar cravings.
I too am always on a quest for the perfect cupcake – both in making them and buying them and can reassure you that of all the cupcakes I have tastd in Australia – Little Cupcakes are the BEST! We quite often get them for work as they are convenient and the minis are great for trying different flavours.
Hey Caitlin- agreed. The only problem I have is that due to their size, I end up buying and eating way too much at one time! Can’t help myself I guess. I may take a wander to Little Cupcakes soon to see what their seasonal flavour is this month.
Cupcake bakery has always been great (in Sydney before it came here too). I used to use them as gifts to friends on their birthdays. They do deliveries in a nicely prepared box.
Anyway, the real competition should be Sydney & Melbourne – Cupcakes on Pitt v. Little Cupcakes
Hey Tom- Yes, the babies at little cupcakes are great. They are small but pack a dense punch. I tried out Cupcakes on Pitt when I was down in Sydney. They are pretty cheap and they have a mean range. I was meant to write a post about it but the photos didn’t turn out so good! haha
Damn.. you know what that means – another trip to Sydney to get better photos 😛
Hey Tom- ha! I wish. Time off work these days is hard to come by. What did you think of the babies at Cupcakes on Pitt? A friend of mind went crazy recently and brought back a box!!
Last time I was in Sydney – I brought back two boxes!
They have so many wonderful flavours – I love the passionfruit, the crushed jaffas (on my blog) and the crunchie!
When I lived in Sydney I used to go there nearly weekly 🙂
Hey Tom- haha. You’re hilarious. I thought I was obsessive. Although, with so many choices, I can’t blame you for going everyday! I’d love to taste the passionfruit variety. Drooling.
ive flagged this as one of the cupcake places i have to try when im down there 4wk. I have mixed feelings abt cupcakes on pitt.. they’ve turned into a franchise and the stumps are awfully stale and dry 🙁 *boo – I bet this place on degraves is gonna be da bomb and pop a cap in cupcakes on pitts butt haha ^_^
cupcakeeee <3 <3 <33333
.-= Leona´s last blog ..Adriano Zumbo’s 60 flavoured macaron madness =-.
Hey Leona- For sure! Little Cupcakes rock. They are tiny….but sooo good. I bite and I’m done, with a trail of buttercream all over my face! Too bad about Cucakes on pitt, dry cupcakes are the worst. I’m coughing just thinking about it…:P
babycakes are semi guilt free (compared to the larger cupcakes)
there is a place close to the city in syd called ‘babycakes by renee’ and they too are gorgeous little morsels of cake * icing with a heap of flavours
check it out!
i’ve had them many a times and while the prices arent too cheap, they are well worth it
http://www.babycakes.com.au/
.-= betty´s last blog ..Golden King 2000 =-.
Hey Betty- haha, too true! More baby cuppies, I;m in. Babycakes by Renee are on my Sydney list to do.