Cupcakin’ Bake Shop is a Berkeley favorite for cupcakes that are baked fresh daily at the store using high-quality local ingredients. With a recent move in September 2018 to a bigger storefront on Telegraph, this home-grown business is soon also expanding to Oakland and North Berkeley to share its artisan baked goods and bring joy to an even larger audience.

The cupcakes at Cupcakin’ are beloved for a reason—the classic flavors have been perfected, while unique and original twists are incorporated into the more diverse flavors. We got the chance to sample some of the treats and experience the magic behind these cupcakes.

Classic Vanilla

Sarah Fung

The execution of this classic flavor was clearly well thought out, as evidenced by the carefully crafted flavors and textures of the cupcake. The vanilla flavor was delicate and infused throughout the moist cupcake which incorporated Madagascar bourbon vanilla into the cake. It was enhanced by the not too overly sweet vanilla buttercream topped with rainbow sprinkles.

Double Chocolate

Sarah Fung

As decadent and rich as it sounds, the Double Chocolate cupcake did not disappoint with chocolate singing throughout the entire cupcake. The cake itself was made using Valrhona chocolate, and the subtle sweetness paired well with the luscious sweet milk chocolate buttercream.  

Key Lime Pie

Sarah Fung

My favorite out of all the flavors we sampled, this cupcake was perfectly composed from flavors to texture. The graham cracker crust at the bottom was buttery with notes of caramel and was a unique crunchy addition to the moist vanilla cake. Instead of frosting, the whipped cream on top added a lightness and fluffiness which was very refreshing. The surprise of the day was the explosion of flavor from the burst of tangy lime curd filled in the middle of the cupcake. 

Red Velvet

Sarah Fung

One bite of the super moist red velvet cake was enough to understand the reason this is one of Cupcakin’s popular flavors. The cream cheese frosting added the right amount of sweetness and decadence to the cake while the crunchy chocolate twill and chocolate pearl not only added texture but were charming little decorations on top of the cupcake. 

Sarah Fung

Cupcakin’ has a wide range of classic flavors that have been well developed and well-loved, but new and regular customers alike will be delighted by the unique and original flavors that are also offered. The monthly special cupcake flavor for December 2018 is Chocolate Peppermint, a perfect addition to your holiday eating adventures. The excitement for new monthly flavors, and for a satisfying treat for your sweet tooth is sure to reel in customers in the Bay Area for many repeats. 

#SpoonTip: Not sure which flavor to try? If you can’t buy all of them at once, take this quiz to find out which Cupcakin’ Bake Shop cupcake you are.