Cup·cake  \ˈkəp-ˌkāk\  vb  cup·caked; cup·cak·ing  1 : to seek out individually-sold cupcakes from local bakeries   2 : to pursue personal indulgence in treats comprised of cake, icing, and other luscious confections -- cup·cak·er n

Definition by M. Gravelle, with assistance from D.E.

Sweet Cakes Bakery

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**
*Information updated as of Feb 2014

Name: Sweet Cakes Bakery

Neighborhood: Bucktown   *they've moved! 
Address:  1223 N. Milwaukee Ave. 

Map (link above): pink pin

Nearest El Transit Locations:

Division Blue Line Stop 

Hours: Mon - Sun 7am - 2pm *new hours!

Bake On-Site: Yes

Individual Cupcake Prices: 

Boxing/Packaging: Box without inserts

What makes this bakery special: 

Cupcake Happy Hour! When it's Happy Hour, cupcakes are buy two get one free. This is particularly refreshing not just for the free cupcake(s) but it ensures a sell-out-each-day meaning a guaranteed freshness the following day. Watch Twitter for updates. 

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:

Red Velvet

Cake: Red Velvet

with White Chocolate Cream Cheese

Top Left: Masala
Bottom Left: Butter Pecan
Right: Red Velvet

Appearance: 1

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3
Price: $3.00

Masala Spice (mini)

Cake: Spice

Appearance: 2

Size: Small/mini 

Bite #: 1

Moisture: 2

Price: $1.40

Butter Pecan (mini)

Cake: Butter Pecan

Appearance: 2

Size: Small/mini

Bite #: 1

Moisture: 2

Price: FREE! (Cupcake Happy Hour)

Additional Notes:

I love Cupcake Happy Hour for three main reasons:
   1) Like I mentioned above, happy hour is a way for Sweet Cakes to productively sell out of cupcakes each day...
   2) ...which is also a way for us, the customers, to feel comfortable knowing that our sweet treats are baked fresh daily.
   3) Who doesn't love free cupcakes? (Buy two get one free!)
The Red Velvet was fantastic. I admit, I'm one of those people who doesn't really understand all the hype when it comes to red velvet (although the fact that the "red" comes from a chemical reaction is pretty fascinating) but I'll occasionally try one then and now. This time it was absolutely worth it! The cake was not soaked with red food dye (as a matter of fact it didn't seem dyed at all, making it even more authentic Red) and was the moistest red velvet I think I have ever had. Match this cake perfection with white chocolate cream cheese and you have yourself heaven on a plate! Seriously, if you're one of those Red Velveters I am telling you right now that you should stop reading at this point and go to Sweet Cakes immediately...hurry, they close at six!
The minis were also extremely flavorful and unique. The Masala cake was packed with spices as well as the frosting. The Butter Pecan cake had delicious pecan chunks in it and the frosting was smooth and buttery. Also, I like when bakeries offer minis for individual sale because if you're feeling caught between two or more flavors and/or if you just want a small, guilt-free indulgence they're just the thing you're looking for.
The owner is super friendly and was nice to talk with. It's always nice when owners are out on the floor working, socializing, and taking pride in their products. He also carefully packaged the cupcakes, tenderly cushioning them with tissue paper, so they didn't roll around in the box during commute.
Coffee, other pastries, wifi, indoor seating.

West Town Bakery

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**

Name: West Town Bakery and Diner

Neighborhood: West Town / Ukrainian Village
Address: 1916 W Chicago Ave
Map (link above):  yellow pin

Nearest El Transit Locations:

Chicago Blue Line Stop (then either walk or take the Chicago bus)
Damen Blue Line Stop (then either walk--I did--or take the Damen bus)

(Bakery) Hours: 
Sun - Thur 7am - 9pm
Fri - Sat  7am - Midnight

Bake On-Site: Yes

Individual Cupcake Price: $2.25

Boxing/Packaging: Fitted Clam Shell
What makes this bakery special: 

This bakery is the most sustainable that a bakery can possibly be. They do everything possible, ranging from buying local to using green products and packaging to driving a hybrid delivery car to composting! 

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:

Left: Peach Cobbler
Right: Salted Caramel

Peach Cobbler (vegan)

Cake: Vanilla with Peaches

with Vanilla Frosting and Cinnamon Oat Streusel Crumbs filled with Peach Chutney

Appearance: 3

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3+

Salted Caramel

Cake: Salted Vanilla

with Caramel Frosting sprinkled with salt filled with Homemade Caramel

Appearance: 2

Size: Average

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3

Additional Notes:
I love this place! Honestly, it's a shame it's so close to my house; I already want to go back but I can't double visit bakeries yet because there are still so many others to go!
Everything here revolves around sustainability and inclusivity--two topics I find important as well. Sustainable by the products, practices, and beliefs. Inclusive by the products offered: vegan, nut-, sugar-, soy-, gluten-free options.
The full display case, even at 8PM, is stunning. Finally I was able to get me a peach cupcake--something I've tried to get my hands on all summer...and it's technically not even summer anymore! The Peach Cobbler met and exceeded my expectations: full flavor, moist cake, and the inability to describe it. You'll have to trust me on this one. It's good. Very good. The frosting had a grainy sugar texture which actually matched the cinnamon streusel topping brilliantly. I regretted having to split this one with D.E.  I just knew I should have just bought two.
The Salted Caramel was also very delicious. The frosting had a rich "earthy" caramel flavor (to quote D.E.) and went very well with the cake. The cake had a rich salted vanilla flavor (but was by no means "salty") and the moistness was secured by the caramel filling. Yum!
The employees were not only super friendly but the delightful lady who helped me out actually went out of her way to find an answer to a question that she didn't know the answer to. Excellent customer service is so very rare these days and I definitely know where it's at in good ol' West Town: it's here, at West Town Bakery. Thanks for that!
Indoor and outdoor seating.

TipsyCake

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**

Name: TipsyCake

Neighborhood: Bucktown
Address: 1944 N Damen Ave
Map (link above): dark blue pin

Nearest El Transit Locations:
Damen Blue Line stop

Walk-In Hours: 

Tue - Sat  10am - 7pm

Sunday  12pm - 5pm

Bake On-Site: Yes

Boxing/Packaging: Chinese take-out box

What makes this bakery special: They offer cupcake decorating classes at a very reasonable price: $15 for 3 hours and offer other classes such as fondant classes. 

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:

Cookies and Cream

Cake: Vanilla

with Cookie Cream Buttercream

Appearance: 2

Size: Large

Bite #: 5

Moisture: 2

Price: $2.74 (with tax)

Additional Notes:

I admit, this shop is a little intimidating upon entering--it's quiet and nobody (save for two employees) is there. The facility is hosts events, such as parties,  and they focus more on large orders, such as weddings. At the counter to the left, there is a small display case (that honestly looks like part of the rest of the decorations in the shop) with a couple plates of cupcakes for sale. The cookies and cream cupcake I picked was boxed so adorably in a snug Chinese take-out box, wrapped in tissue paper. So dainty! The vanilla cake was a little dry but was nice and buttery. The frosting was where the party was at. It was a perfect blend of creamy, smooth, cookie crumb goodness. Easiest way to describe it: light, fluffy cookie dough. I do think this frosting would have been even more amazing if it were on a chocolate cupcake.
I sincerely look forward to taking some of their classes soon! 

Luscious Layers Bakery

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**

Name: Luscious Layers Bakery

Neighborhood: Bucktown
Address: 2315 N Damen Ave
Map (link above): pink marker

Nearest El Transit Locations:
Damen Blue Line stop

Hours: 

Tue - Fri 10:30am - 5:30pm

Saturday 10am - 2pm

Bake On-Site: Yes

Individual Cupcake Prices (walk in): $1.00-2.25

Boxing/Packaging: Box w/out inserts

What makes this bakery special: 

Luscious is literally the closest you can get to a bakery-in-a-kitchen...outside of the kitchen of course. The storefront is a expansion of a home kitchen that went from baking for friends to baking for weddings and other huge events. Everything is extremely fresh and offers you a great opportunity to try the flavors without committing to a full cake. 

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:

The Watergate Cupcake

Cake: Pistachio

Chocolate Hazelnut (Left) and Watergate (Right)

with Vanilla Frosting and Pistachio Cream Filling

Appearance: 2

Size: Average 

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3

Price: $2.25

Chocolate Hazelnut

Cake: Chocolate

with Chocolate Frosting and Hazelnut Mousse Filling

Appearance: 2

Size: Average 

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 3

Price: $1.00

Additional Notes:

First, the facility is absolutely breathtaking. Seriously. Immediately upon entering my nose and brain filled with the most delicious, fresh-baked smells I have ever experienced. The walls are decorated simply but elegantly with half tiered cakes protruding in an eat-me-now fashion. Yes, the display case is small, but it's packed with delicious, unique flavors. Luscious Layers really is more about wedding cakes (and other orders) but gives us, the community, the special opportunity to taste their creations at the individual cupcake level. I feel honored. 

The Watergate Cupcake was pistachio (!!!) cake with fluffy, creamy, almost savory filling--this was my favorite part. The cake flavor was a little subtle, but the pistachio was definitely detectable. The frosting was extremely sugary and I wish the cupcake was iced with the delicious filling. Seriously, I was all about the filling. Yum! 

*If anybody knows the Watergate reference with pistachio please let me know (comment below). 

The Chocolate with Hazelnut Mousse was amazing and most definitely worth the ONE DOLLAR I spent on it. I actually felt guilty for paying such a low price when I realized how fantastic it was. The cake was super moist and fresh, with delectable hazelnut mousse filling. The frosting, oh, the frosting...it was more like styled fudge than chocolate frosting--extremely thick, rich, and smooth. Like my cupcaking partner D.E. noted, "It was a better Nutella cupcake than the Peanut Butter Nutella Cupcake from Molly's." I agree wholeheartedly. 

Last--and this may seem silly but--the cupcakes were in decorated paper baking cups (polka dots and shiny green) which really added to their appearance. Beautiful!

I will definitely return to Luscious. I can't wait!

(And again, the prices were more than fantastic!)

Oak Mill Bakery

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**

Name: Oak Mill Bakery

Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Address: 2204 W North Ave
Map (link above): green pins
Nearest El Transit Locations:
Damen Blue Line stop
Hours: 
Tue - Sat 8am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm
Other Chicago Locations: 
Belmont Central, 5753 W Belmont Ave
Clearing West, 5747 S Harlem Ave
Bake On-Site: Some items
(and have local distribution center)
Individual Cupcake Prices: $1.95-3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Box w/out inserts

What makes this bakery special:
Oak Mill has deep, proud Polish roots. The founder has keeps involved with the Polish-American community, including donating to local charities, such as Gift from the Heart.

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:
Vanilla (?)
Cake: Vanilla
with Meringue (?)
Appearance: 1
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 1
Price: $2.25

Additional Notes:

Left: Mouse (not a cupcake)
Right: Vanilla Cupcake with cookie

Oak Mill Bakery is the bakery I discovered on my way to Bake a few weeks ago. I was really looking forward to getting a cupcake from here because when I stopped in that first time their cupcakes on display were decorated all fun and exciting (for example, one had goofy cross-eyes). I was also taken by the beautiful mousse treats they had on display next to the cupcakes. When I stopped in today, however, I admit I was a little disappointed. There were no fun cupcakes, just some small plain ones on a cake stand. The (nice) employee didn't even know what flavor the one I got was (she guessed vanilla). I'm sure you're wondering why there is a mousse dessert next to the cupcake in the photo above, huh? Well, to make this trip more worth the time I decided I would give in and purchase outside of the cupcake limits--just this once! I'm glad I did. The cupcake was dry and I have doubts that it was vanilla; it was kind of like angel's food cake but I'm not exactly sure. (With the combination of the frosting and the cake I expected it to be lemon, but I certainly didn't taste lemon.) The frosting was meringue, or if I'm wrong it was very fluffy, sticky (in a good way) vanilla frosting. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the cupcake but the mousse was fantastic and I do want to maybe stop in another time for one of the fun cupcakes I saw a few weeks ago. Now, in their defense this is a European-style pastry shop, so as long as the other European desserts are tasty I say kudos for even carrying cupcakes.
Indoor seating.

As mentioned above, the owners/founders are very involved with the Polish-American community, regularly donate to local charities, donate leftover desserts to local food banks, and recycle what they can.

Lovely: A Bake Shop

**HAPPY (British) NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK**

Name: Lovely: A Bake Shop

Neighborhood: Noble Square / West Town
Address: 1130 N Milwaukee Ave
Map (link above): bright blue pins

Nearest El Transit Locations:
Division Blue Line stop

Hours: 

Mon - Fri  7am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm
Other Chicago Location: 
Edgewater, 1138 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Bake On-Site: Yes (at both locations)

Individual Cupcake Price: $1.75-3.00 (dependent on size and flavor)

Boxing/Packaging: Box w/out inserts

What makes this bakery special: Lovely is the perfect authentic neighborhood bakery example. The owners are known for being social butterflies, they bring true Southern-ness to their baked goods, and they both graduated from Chicago's own French Pastry School.

Cupcake Purchased and Reviewed:

Red Velvet "Mini"

Cake: Red Velvet

with Cream Cheese Frosting

Appearance: 2

Size: Average (even though they call it "mini"!)

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 2
Price: $2.00

Chocolate "Mini"

Cake: Chocolate

with Chocolate Buttercream

Appearance: 2

Size: Average (even though they call it "mini"!)

Bite #: 3

Moisture: 2
Price: $1.75 

Additional Notes:
This surprisingly-not-so-small bakery welcomes guests with delicious smells and a comfortable, small farm town general store feel. The displays are warm, wood furniture items which, somehow, makes them seem even more appetizing.
The chocolate cupcake had a smooth, rich chocolate buttercream which matched the rich, spongy cake wonderfully.
The red velvet was obviously the product of true Southerners: creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting with cake that wasn't saturated with red dye (a problem with many other red velvets).
Cupcakes can be found in two sizes here: jumbo and mini. The mini's, as noted above, are actually the average size of homemade cupcakes--averaging a 2" diameter--meaning, matched with the prices and quality, are a terrific value!
Spacious indoor seating.
Full espresso bar.
Full menu.

National Cupcake Week Intro

My dear fellow cupcakers,

Since the USA doesn't have a "National Cupcake Week" I propose we improvise and celebrate next week, September 17-23, with those on the other side of the pond. I haven't been out cupcaking for the past couple weeks because I've been waiting to try a new cupcake from a new bakery each and every day of (British) National Cupcake Week! 

I'll finish up the Northwest neighborhoods (Oak Mill Bakery, Luscious Layers, Tipsycake, Lovely: A Bake Shop, Sweet Cakes, and West Town Bakery and Diner still to go) and will return to visiting the North side. 

(See complete Crawl schedule here.)

For those interested, the US does have some cupcake days:

October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day

November 10: National Vanilla Cupcake Day

December 15: National Cupcake Day; National Lemon Cupcake Day

It's not much but it's something! (And they're all coming up!)

So, join me--and all of Great Britain--in celebrating cupcakes for an entire week...

...AND check out National Cupcake Week's website!

Stay tuned for National Cupcake Week posts, starting the 17th!

Peace, love, cupcakes.

meg

Comments welcome!