We’re all winners in this bakery battle. Some might scream for ice cream but we’re cuckoo for cupcakes. We’ve put together a half baker’s dozen of amazingly awesome shops all over the metro area. Check their online sites for flavor calendars.
Kyra’s Bake Shop
cravebakeshop.com
460 5th St Unit A, Lake Oswego
(503) 212-2979
Craving cupcakes? The shop formerly known as Crave Bake Shop has got you covered. And they have the national title from the real Cupcake Wars on Food Network to prove it. Kyra renamed the shop recently since “crave” has become a word du jour, but nothing else has changed.
What we’re sweet on: Yep, this shop is known for being 100% gluten-free — and also 100% delicious. Visit on your birthday for a free cake bite, or wear the bakery’s T-shirt in any day for one!
Takes the Cake: The P.M.S Cupcake (Peanut Butter Marshmallow Salted Caramel)
Also Sweet: B&W
Seriously Cupcakes
seriously-cupcakes.com
29030 SW Town Center Loop Wilsonville
(503) 570-2888
The newest cupcake playa in town is Seriously Cupcakes. Well if they’re serious about making cupcakes, we can be serious about eating them.
What we’re sweet on: This shop features a sizeable play area so the littles can entertain themselves while the moms indulge in some coffee talk (and a cupcake of course!).
Takes the Cake: Candyland
Also Sweet: Banana Split
Beaverton Bakery
Beavertonbakery.com
12375 Sw Broadway St, Beaverton (503) 646-7136
16857 65th Ave, Lake Oswego (503) 639-8900
This Portland institution is known for a giganto variety of baked goods, and its cupcakes are a crowd pleaser.
What we’re sweet on: Many of the cupcakes come in two sizes: “perfect for a smaller appetite” and “gigantic.”
Takes the Cake: Chocolate raspberry ganache
Also Sweet: Almond Roca
Cupcake Jones
www.cupcakejones.net
307 Nw 10th Ave, Portland
(503) 222-4404
Oh yeah, we know you’re jonesing for cupcakes. Whether you’re looking for gluten-free, vegan or just 100% delicious, this little pocket shop has it.
What we’re sweet on: The display case shows the inside of each cupcake and each cupcake sports a cool topper, like a mini cookie on the cookie dough flavor. Oh and frosting shots. Yum!
Takes the Cake: Red Velvet
Also Sweet: Limoncello
Saint Cupcake
saintcupcake.com
1138 SW Morrison; Portland
(503) 473-8760
3300 SE Belmont; Portland
(503) 235-0078
Cupcake Queen Jami Curl has recently opened a candy shop but you can count on her cupcakes to, um, take the cake. So popular is Saint Cupcake that it has two awesome locations to serve you — SE and SW!
What we’re sweet on: The name of the mini cupcakes – dots — because they’re such cute little round dots! And then we found out that they were actually named for Jami’s Gramma Dot, who inspired her love for baking!
Takes the Cake: Chocolate Vanilla Buttercream
Wrapping up our list:
It’s not an entire cupcake shop but it’s worth a mention: Small batch bakery Baker and Spice (bakerandspicebakery.com) is known for all its tasty treats…none more so than its cakes – which have been flying off the shelves since owner Julie Richardson released her book “Vintage Cakes.” Baker and Spice makes mini versions of its signature item with the “Cupcake of the Day,” which could be anything from a vanilla with chocolate and PB ganache to a fruit buttercream. Stop by to check it out!
By Cathie Ericson
Cathie and her lucky kids had the good fortune of visiting all these shops and yes, eating all these cupcakes. She wrote the story and took the pictures, except for the Kyra’s Bake Shop photos which were generously provided by Kyra.
