This past weekend, I embarked on the ultimate cupcake challenge here in Nashville. Cupcakes have become such a trendy dessert in the past few years and new bakeries are sprouting up everywhere. With all the cupcake hoopla lately, I decided it was finally time to find out who has the best tasting cupcakes.
It all started with visiting five cupcake shops in Nashville:
The Painted Cupcake,
The Cupcake Collection,
Whole Foods,
Bread & Company, and
Gigi's Cupcakes. To keep judging as uniform as possible, I purchased a chocolate cupcake at each store and based the results on frosting taste, cake taste, and overall taste.
Although I didn't take into account cost, packaging and store aesthetics I think it's important to note how each cupcake did in these categories in case your looking for the best bang for your buck or a fun atmosphere to take friends for a quick dessert.
Now, for the judging...
1. The Painted Cupcake
Cost: $2.66
Store: Funky feminine vibe decorated with black chandeliers and green and pink striped paint on the walls. Plenty of seating.
Packaging: The cupcake came in a clear plastic container with a pretty sticker on the top.
I thought this cupcake was a great size for one person. The frosting was extremely creamy and not too sweet. You could also taste that it wasn't made from a mix. The cake itself had a nice chocolate flavor and was very moist.
2. Whole Foods
Cost: $2.99
Store: Just your regular grocery store, however, the bakery where these cupcakes are housed looks amazing!
Packaging: The cupcake was packaged in a brown square box.
I really don't think the picture above shows just how massive this cupcake is. Although it's about 3 bucks, I would say it could feed 2-3 people. The frosting, although slightly tart, had a creamy texture and strong chocolate taste. If you like a lot of frosting this is definitely a cupcake for you. The cake was very moist and together with the frosting it was a truly delicious dessert.
3. Gigi's Cupcakes
Cost: $2.99
Store: Adorable little shop adorned with pink accents.
Packaging: I must say, Gigi does a fantastic job with her marketing. We received our cupcake in a bright pink box with a Gigi's sticker holding the top closed.
This is another big one. I mean, check out all that frosting. The frosting had a lovely cocoa taste, however the texture was slightly stiff. The cake was a little dry but still good. Overall, the frosting was definitely the best part.
4. The Cupcake Collection
Cost: $2.99
Store: Nothing to write home about. The store interior is maybe 100 square feet of standing space.
Packaging: I wasn't impressed with it at all. They just threw my cupcake in a paper bag with no support. By the time I got home, the frosting was smashed on one side.
I was a little surprised I didn't like this one more. The frosting had a nice consistency, but wasn't sweet enough in my opinion and the cake was really crumbly and dry.
5. Bread & Company Cost: $2.99
Store: Busy
Packaging: Nothing too special
I was shocked at how much I didn't like this cupcake. And for the price, I felt like I got completely ripped off! I practically needed a knife to cut through the frosting and the cake was like cardboard. Need I say anymore?
The Results:
Conclusion
It's really hard to find a cupcake that doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth. I was picky in this contest, but it's all about what YOU like. If you want a ton of frosting Gigi's or Whole Foods is your best bet. If you want a well-balanced bite, go for The Painted Cupcake. In the end, anything involving a cupcake is a winner in my book.
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