You may have seen my Instagram post with a huge row of cupcakes. Let me tell you more!
Last night we celebrated my friend Alice’s 34th birthday….with 35 cupcakes! (One to grow on!)
Alice had the idea of doing a tasting from all of the cupcake shops in Cville, so all of the guests brought a 4-6 cupcakes from each bakery.
Represented…
Hotcakes {red velvet // carrot cake // chocolate and vanilla // top hat marshmallow}
Pearl’s {mint // double chocolate // chocolate cayenne // plain jane vanilla}
Cappellinos {peanut butter chocolate // red velvet // salted caramel // double chocolate // lemon // mint}
Whole Foods {red velvet // carrot cake // chocolate}
Chandler’s {chocolate // vanilla}
and Sweethaus {pistachio x2 // everything // black-eyed susan x2 // key lime}
We also had a set of red velvet from Kroger that arrived after the tasting was underway, so I didn’t snap any photos.
But yeah – a LOT of cupcakes for 10 women to devour!
We set each shop up on its own plate so we could compare and contrast the flavors.
We dove in with knives and took as many tastes as we could handle. Most people were completely full and done in 3 minutes! I tried to take my time and really evaluate the flavors because of course I wanted to try them all but eventually the “OK I can’t take one more bite” feeling set in.
The winners via loose voting were:
Best designs: Cappellionos (the glitter!!!)
Best frosting: Sweethaus (not too sweet and perfectly buttery)
Best cupcake package: Pearl’s (the Pearl’s chocolate cupcakes were hands down the best chocolate (think ganache!), and their cupcakes were bigger than all the rest)
Best overall bakery: It was really close between Sweethaus and Pearl’s, but Sweethaus took the grand prize for the diversity and availability of flavors and exceptional frosting and cake
Best overall cupcake: My vote went to the Sweethaus Key Lime, which had a graham cracker crust on the bottom! I really don’t care for red velvet, carrot cake or chocolate that much, but since it’s Valentine’s week we had a ton of those. I’d love to do this in the middle of the summer when all the lighter vanilla-based flavors are in season!
The aftermath!
This morning I got up at 5:30am for athletic conditioning. Nothing pushes the re-set button like a killer jumping workout before 7am!
I came home to steel cut oats in the rice cooker. I used a 4:1 ratio of water to oats and got my porridgey texture! Only sad thing was it tasted a bit watery. Le sigh – I think whipped banana rolled oats have been my favorite for years for a reason! I love the concept of the rice cooker, but freshly made with milk and banana takes the cake….er cupcake! every time.
Served in an empty PB jar with banana slices.
What’s the best cupcake shop you’ve ever visited? I’ve tried many different ones and I still think Sweethaus is the best! (Did you know they opened a location in Brooklyn? You New Yorkers need to visit!)
Rheagan Alexander @ Hardly Awesome says
I have to chime in and say Magnolia Bakery in New York City! I used to walk past it every day to catch the train…so dangerous.
kristen says
Pearl’s has the best cupcakes in Richmond, but I agree that Sweethaus is the Cville winner!
Meagan says
Baked & Wired in DC
Tonya says
+1000!
Melissa @battleofmarathonblog says
Your post a while back on putting overnight oats/oatmeal in an empty nut butter jar seriously changed my breakfast life. I save them for Friday mornings so it’s a treat!
KathEats says
: ) It’s the best!
Jane says
Hands down Enjoy cupcakes located in Los Olivos, CA. It is located in a tasting room and they do a 6 mini cupcake pairing with wine. I don’t even get the wine, I just get the cupcakes now ( the cupcakes outshine the wine). Very unique flavors that are always different! Signature is Blackberry Syrah. Recent favorites are Sweet Corn & Snickerdoodle.
Nikki says
What a great idea for a birthday party! I’m so jealous! I recently tried Sprinkles (they opened one in ATL recently) and it was A-MAZING. Seriously, a delicious cupcake.
We also have a local bakery called Special Kneads & Treats which employees special needs adults from the area — http://www.specialkneadsandtreats.com/ — as a way to help them learn a skill and just take part in something fun! They have a pretty tasty cupcake selection!
laura says
I just had cupcakes from Special Kneads and Treats last night as a valentine gift from my husband! So delicious, and such an incredible addition to the Lawrenceville community! Small world!
Lauren says
Um all of these look amazing. I need to second that Baked and Wired has my favorite in DC!
Tiffany says
That’s sounds like so much fun! The cupcakes all look so beautiful and delicious!
This isn’t a related questions to the cupcakes but have you noticed that the whole foods peanut butter tastes overly salty and not very peanut buttery, like it’s more burnt?
KathEats says
Hmmm…not really? I thought it was pretty good! I like it salty though
Tiffany says
That’s so interesting. I tried the organic TJs plain peanut butter and thats delicious. But they recently brought back their Valencia peanut butter and it just isn’t the same…the flavor is off for me. Have you tried the Valencia variety?
Also, if you’re a member of costco they sell almond butter for pretty cheap! (its just roasted almonds and no salt). They also sell peanut butter but I don’t remember if the Kirkland brand ingredient list was simple (just peanuts and salt)
Natalie says
What is that plate of cupcakes in the middle that it looks like nobody ate much of?
KathEats says
Whole Foods : (
Kavi says
What a great party idea!! I might have to do the Chicago version of this soon 🙂
Christine says
Thinking the same thing – Chicago version!
Linda @ The Fitty says
Cayenne on a cupcake?
KathEats says
yeah – like spiced chocolate. It was awesome!
Kristen says
yum! The marshmallow one looks amazing!
Check out my giveaway runonoatmeal.com
Bonnie says
Sounds like a crazy delicious birthday celebration!
I’m visiting Charlottesville in March – Sweethaus is definitely on the agenda! Can’t wait!
Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says
Now that’s a party!! I like cupcakes so much better than cake and these all look delicious!
Kirsten says
OMG! I want to hang out with you!!!
If it was my last day on earth, I would want to be seated at that table! With elastic waisted pants on of course!
Maureen says
What a fun idea! I’d love to get together with friends and have a cupcake tasting party…even if there was nothing else to celebrate. I love red velvet, so I’d be in cupcake heaven!
Dana | fresh simple five says
My current favorite cupcakes are Smallcakes (I believe they are all over the country), but have had a lot of yummy options. I love looking for smaller local shops for sweets. We need more of those in our area!
Angela Gilmore says
This is the perfect birthday idea! I think I may have to steal it for my next birthday. Though it going to be very shortly after giving birth to my second kid so who knows if I’ll up for hosting anyone. They can just drop off the cupcakes 😉
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Omg I want to eat all those cupcakes! haha What a fun birthday idea!
Kirsten says
Have you tried soaking steel cut oats overnight? Then in the morning it only takes as long as regular oats to cook. Not as convenient as the cooker, but maybe more the texture you want and still pretty quick.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Ooh quite the party!!! Such a cool idea!
JenA says
I took my niece on a cupcake tasting around town a couple of summers ago when Pearl’s had just opened up in Cville. We liked Cappellino’s cake (and staff!) the best; Sweethaus’s frosting the best; and Pearl’s for the total package. So far, nothing has ever beaten a Sweethaus chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake for me – it is, IMO, by far the best cupcake I have ever eaten!
Maggie says
Yay! Thanks for the recap!! I totally agree that Sweethaus/Pearl’s are the best. I’ve never tried Cappellino’s so I’ll have to try them.
It pains me to say it, b/c I love WF and love Hotcakes soups/salads/sandwiches/quiches/other desserts, but I don’t really like the cupcakes from either of those places haha.
Christy @TheMuddyApron says
Wow! Now I want a cupcake. They look amazing. Well done.
C.
Amanda @ Life To Table says
Never realized how many cup cake spots there were in cville. I’ll have to add it to my cville list of things to do! Want to try that mint one.
kait says
You need to add chia seeds to the rice cooker for porridge-y oats! Makes all the difference, I promise.
jen says
Have you tried the strawberry marscapone one at Pearls? Seriously one of the best sweet things I have ever eaten!
KathEats says
I don’t think I have!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
oh. my. goodness. that looks like a sugary heaven.
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
what an awesome idea for a party! Ive really only ever had one “fancy” cupcake and that was georgetown cupcakes in DC. it was good but I didn’t think it was insanely delicious (especially for like $4 a cupcake AH!) next time I’m in cville I want to try some of these places! 🙂
Ruth says
I’m in love with rice cooker steel cut oats. My favourite recipe is 1/3c oats, 1c liquid, and half a banana. I just add the banana chunk whole and mix it in with the spatula when I scoop it out in the morning, then add a scoop of nut butter on top. 🙂
Julia @ South by Northwest says
That’s an amazing idea. Saving it for the next birthday party I help throw.
Anna says
Oh! I love cupcakes! My favorite flavor is usually strawberry.
The best cupcakes I’ve had are from SWEET! in Orlando (and Jacksonville) FL. Miss Holly, the head baker, has won CupcakeWars on food network three times!! Their frosting and cake are both delicious and they’re pretty to boot! I’m jealous of this party for sure.
Sarah says
This cupcake party is my dream come true.
And I agree with the commenter who mentioned Magnolia — the original west village location. Nothing beats the simplicity of their chocolate cupcake with light blue buttercream frosting. One of the few things I miss about living in NYC!
Alexandria says
Pure Bliss in Bellingham,WA
Em says
Wow, that’s a lot of cupcakes – there are some very pretty ones there! (Though I’m not a sweet tooth so would struggle to get through a mini-sized one! But then, I could eat my bodyweight in cheese so I guess we all have our weaknesses…)
But how did you divide each of them up between 10 to get a meaningful taste? I’m picturing wafer-thin slices…
Do you ever make your own cupcakes, Kath? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you bake that kind of thing on the blog, which is kinda surprising given you’re so into real food and with Matt being a baker and all! I always find home-made ones taste better than even the fanciest store-bought. 🙂
KathEats says
Some of us were into the “vanilla” flavors and others into chocolate, so we just picked our favorites. It worked out surprisingly well.
And I just can’t bake because I eat waaaaayyy too much batter + frosting while baking!! I save it for super special occasions.
Mabel @ Ma Bella Vita says
WOW! Just looking at those photos of delicious cup cakes make my day. Had I been there I would probably feel like I had died and gone to heaven…LOL! Amazing. Looks like you guys enjoyed it. Happy 34th to your friend! cool bday celebration idea!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
This sounds like an amazing idea! Perhaps for “Gal-entines Day”!
Melissa | HerGreenLife says
My vote in St. Louis is Sweet Art. Their cupcakes aren’t the biggest, but their cake and frosting is always great. I find a lot of other cupcake shops have cake that is too dry 🙁
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy says
Magnolia Bakery vanilla cupcake is my fave. Though Susie Cakes in LA is a close second – coconut and key lime are so good!
Nicole says
Hi Kath,
This is unrelated to the cupcakes, but I just learned a new trick for steel cut oats – perfectly creamy in the am! Put a tsp of butter/oil in the pan and toast 1 cup of steel cut oats. Add 3 cups of a water and a dash of salt and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat, cover with lid, and leave overnight. In the morning – voila! – perfectly creamy oats. All you need to do is add your milk of choice (however much to get that porridgey consistency you love) and reheat. Not only does it streamline your morning routine, but it also makes leftovers for the week – win/win.
It was revolutionary for me, since I love steel cut oats, but not the cooking time. Just thought I’d pass it along if you’re interested in trying it. 🙂
As always, love your blog posts… and now I really want a cupcake. 🙂
KathEats says
Cool! Thanks!
aimee says
How do get out of the house at 530am? I thought your husband goes to work real early? Just curious 🙂
KathEats says
He doesn’t go in early every day…so I go to class if it’s a later day for him.
Emily @ Life on Food says
This is such a fun idea! I am jealous of all of those cupcakes.
jacklyn says
This is such a fun idea!! I remember you blogging about Sweethaus before and their buttercream looks amazing!
Emily says
You know what’s sad? I’ve never visited a cupcake shop, but I would love to especially after seeing all these pictures of the delectable looking cupcakes.
Melanie G. says
Star Provisions in Atlanta! Not specifically a cupcake shop but they always have 4-5 different cupcakes in the bakery and they are DEEEvine!
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Mmmmm!!! These sound/look so good!
Petra says
Ohh, I think I’m addicted enough to become a cupcake reviewer – I’m not afraid to say that I could try them all! :)) The ones by Whole Foods look really delicious even if the designs are simple, but still elegant. Capellinos’ salted caramel sounds like fun, too! Coming originally from Slovakia, I had no idea about this kind of ”fancy” cupcakes: a few years ago there was simply no bakery where I could find them and then I arrived to Canada, which seemed to be the sweet-heaven…crazy! SweetNom Bakery, Breka or Uprising Breads (here, here! http://jaybanks.ca/vancouver/bakeries/) are just some of the best places to get a home-made cupcake in Vancouver. I love that most of them have some unusual flavours and combinations! If you’re around any of these, don’t hesitate to stop by – you won’t be disappointed! :))