I Run for Cupcakes and I'm Not Alone

I'm glad I'm not alone in the cupcake-running world. Thanks Skinny Chick Blog!

Return to Kara's Cupcakes

Earlier this month I traveled north for the Divas 1/2 Marathon in San Francisco, CA. I was there for work, but decided to run the race too. I'm not trained for 1/2 marathons right now, so this turned out to be a fun race....which means I wasn't so strict about what I ate before the race.

I was planning on stopping by Kara's Cupcakes in the city when we went in, but instead I stumbled across a new location in Burlingame, CA. It was meant to be!

I picked up a few minis so that I could try several flavors. The flavor I wanted the most, my favorite from last time, was Banana Caramel. Sadly, they were out. Instead I got Kara's Karrot, Raspberry Dazzle, Vanilla Chocolate, and Chocolate Velvet.

I remember how delicious the cream cheese frosting was, and it didn't disappoint me again. The Karrot cupcake was delicious, as well as the Vanilla Chocolate. The raspberry one was the biggest disappointment, as the frosting had no flavor and had the consistency of Crisco. My favorite of the night was one of my favorites from before: Chocolate Velvet. The chocolaty frosting was silky, making it perfect for not being too intense. 

I was a little surprised that the minis were $2 each. That seems a bit high for a mini. The regular-size cupcakes are $3.25, which is more reasonable. 

The only thing better than eating cupcakes is eating cupcakes with friends.

Kara's Cupcakes

1309 Burlingame Ave.

Burlingame, CA 94010

#10 on My Top Cupcakes of All Time

The list continues...

I constantly get asked, "where can I find the best cupcakes?". Wow, it's just so hard to narrow it down because I've tasted so many delicious cupcakes. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." But I think it's time to reveal my updated list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list is constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#10

CUPCAKE SHOP: Kara's Cupcakes

LOCATION: San Francisco, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Banana Caramel (filled) - Banana cupcake with caramel filling and silky cream cheese frosting




I visited Kara's Cupcakes a few years ago during a weekend getaway to San Francisco. Kara's Cupcakes won me over with their large size of cupcakes, great selection of flavors, great quality, good proportion of frosting to cake, and price ($3.25). Kara's Cupcakes has six locations, all in the Bay Area. You can check out my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #10

I constantly get asked, "where can I find the best cupcakes?". Wow, it's just so hard to narrow it down because I've tasted so many delicious cupcakes. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." But I think it's time to reveal the list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! I'm sure this list will be ever-changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try. Enjoy the remainder of 2010!

#10

CUPCAKE SHOP: Kara's Cupcakes

LOCATION: San Francisco, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Banana Caramel (filled) - Banana cupcake with caramel filling and silky cream cheese frosting




I visited Kara's Cupcakes last year during a weekend getaway to San Francisco. Kara's Cupcakes won me over with their large size of cupcakes, great selection of flavors, great quality, good proportion of frosting to cake, and price ($3.25). Kara's Cupcakes has six locations, all in the Bay Area. You can check out my full review here.

Review: Kara's Cupcakes

My first cupcake stop in San Francisco was Kara's Cupcakes. I visited their Ghirardelli Square location, since it was closest to where I was staying.




Kara's Cupcakes had many flavors to choose from. I actually had a hard time picking from my favorites. While I was waiting, I overheard a man and women talking behind me in line. The man said, "I've never seen a store that only sells cupcakes." I turned around and smiled. If only he knew...




Pick #1: Chocolate Coconut: Chocolate cupcake with coconut cream cheese frosting.

On my first bite, I was hit with the strong taste of coconut. I was thinking the frosting would be a cream cheese frosting with coconut sprinkled on top, but I think it is a coconut-based frosting in addition to the coconut on top. The cake was very moist and went well with the frosting. My second thought was: Mounds bar. I love Mounds bar and it is great to see it in cupcake form.




Pick #2: Banana Caramel (filled): Banana cupcake with caramel filling and silky cream cheese frosting

Cupcake tasted just like banana bread with cream cheese frosting. I would have considered this a GOOD cupcake until I bit into the middle. Yummy caramel hit my tongue and instantly changed this into a GREAT cupcake! The combination of banana, caramel, and cream cheese made my taste buds tingle. If you are going to eat a banana cupcake from Kara's, make sure it is the caramel-filled one.




Pick #3: Chocolate Velvet: Chocolate cupcake with velvety bittersweet chocolate buttercream.

My first question in a new cupcakery is always, "What's the most popular flavor?" At Kara's, it is Chocolate Velvet. Although I love chocolate, a cupcake that has chocolate cake and chocolate frosting is usually a little too much chocolate for me. But I was ready to try this cupcake! I was not disappointed. Since the frosting was a silky, mousse-like frosting, it wasn't too intense, making this chocolate/chocolate cupcake a winner for me!




My first San Francisco cupcake encounter was phenominal! If this is how all cupcakeries in San Francisco are, I may just move here. If I had to compare Kara's Cupcakes to another cupcakery, I would say they are most like Sprinkles Cupcakes for these reasons: large size of cupcakes, great quality, good proportion of frosting to cake, and price.

Kara's Cupcakes sell for $3.25 each. Don't forget the milk ($1.00) because you will need it to complete this delicious dessert experience!




Kara's Cupcakes
900 North Point
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-351-2253

Next time you are in San Francisco, make Kara's Cupcakes as high of a priority as Alcatraz or the Golden Gate Bridge. Kara's Cupcakes also has four other locations: San Francisco's Marina District, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Napa.

I'm Back!!!

I am officially back from San Francisco. I had such a great time! I ate so many cupcakes, I thought I was going to be sick, yet I still wanted more.

My cupcake adventures started on Saturday. I knew I would be consuming way too many calories, so I began the day with a run around the city. I had no idea where I was going, but ended up at Coit Tower. What a beautiful day! The sun was shining and the view was gorgeous. I'm so glad I decided to bring my camera.


After my run, I began my 5-mile trek around the city to review cupcakes. I walked to Ghirardelli Square to find Kara's Cupcakes.

Then, over to Union Stores Shopping District to try That Takes the Cake.

Check back soon to read my official reviews!