Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time - Revised for 2012

At the end of 2010 I compiled my list of my Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time. Since then, I've visited and reviewed so many great cupcake shops. Several of these have earned a spot on my list, so I need to update my list of favorites. The problem is that I couldn't just pick 10, so here's my list of the Top 11 Cupcakes of All Time.

#11 - SusieCakes

#10 - Kara's Cupcakes

#9 - Crumbs Bake Shop

#8 - Sweet Revenge

#7 - Sprinkles Cupcakes

#6 - Frosted Cupcakery

#5 - Sweet and Saucy Shop

#4 - Retro Bakery

#3 - Sweet Tooth Fairy

#2 - My Delight Cupcakery

and my favorite cupcake shop of all time is Elizabethan Desserts!

I hope you enjoyed my list. There are still so many cupcake shops that I haven't tried yet, so this list will definitely be ever-changing. Do you know a cupcake shop that I should visit and review? Let me know so I can add it to my list of shops to visit in the future.

#1 on My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time

This is the end of my list, my favorite cupcake shop of all-time.

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. But I did. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." It's now time to reveal the new list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#1

CUPCAKE SHOP: Elizabethan Desserts

LOCATION: Encinitas, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Chocolate Toffee: chocolate cake with caramel buttercream, dipped in milk chocolate, and sprinkled with toffee

I discovered this quaint little shop in 2008. It's nestled within a nursery in Encinitas, CA. I call it heaven on earth! When I stepped inside the bakery, I immediately knew this was the place, the place that I would recommend as THE BEST CUPCAKE SHOP!

These cupcakes are definitely different than any other cupcake I've tried before. The difference is that these cupcakes are more like desserts in a cupcake shape. Elizabeth Desserts has differentiated themselves by going beyond the traditional cupcake idea. They also have the BEST sugar cookies. I'm craving one right now as I type this. Yum! I love their cupcakes and always stop there when I'm in the area. You should too! You can check out my full reviews here and here. I recommend them to everyone who asks where to get the best cupcakes. And that's why they are #1 on my list!

Elizabeth Desserts
155 Quail Garden Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
760-230-6780

#2 on My Top 10 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 the updated list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#2

CUPCAKE SHOP: My Delight Cupcakery

LOCATION: Ontario, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: It's a tie -- Samoa and Red Velvet Cherry-filled

It's hard to miss My Delight Cupcakery in Southern California, as they win every cupcake competition they enter! After tasting their award-winning cupcakes at several contests, I had to make a trip to their store. Best decision ever! My Delight Cupcakery offers a large variety of delicious cupcakes. I haven't eaten one I didn't fall in love with! It was hard to choose a favorite, as so many of them are. One way they differentiate themselves is that their cupcakes are multi-dimensional. They have special toppings, fillings, and great flavor combinations. They are always coming up with new flavors, a characteristic I very much enjoy. I can guarantee you will fall in love with their cupcakes too! You can see my full review here.

#3 on My Top 10 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 the list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#3

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sweet Tooth Fairy

LOCATION: 11 locations in Utah, Arizona, and Texas (Please come to Southern California!)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Cheesecake, Dulce de Leche





I didn't expect to find my #3 favorite cupcake shop in Utah. Nothing against Utah, but I wasn't impressed by any cupcakes I had tried there before. Shame on me for judging the entire state of Utah.

Sweet Tooth Fairy is what I imagine heaven to be like! Delicious cupcakes, lots of flavor choices, cake bites, cookies....ahhh! Yep, heaven! When I visited Sweet Tooth Fairy in Provo, Utah a few years ago, I got to try about 20 flavors. I tried a few more when I stopped by their St. George location last year. I have yet to find a cupcake of theirs I didn't LOVE! Maybe if I'm lucky enough, Sweet Tooth Fairy will expand to Orange County. A girl can wish, can't she? You can read my full review here.

#4 on My Top 10 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 the updated list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#4

CUPCAKE SHOP: Retro Bakery

LOCATION: Las Vegas, NV

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Hop Scotch

Sometimes I kick myself because I waited too long to visit an amazing cupcake shop. This is one of those times. After several years of trying to visit Retro Bakery, I recently experienced the awesomeness! Listen to everyone when they say to try Hop Scotch. I would even go as far as buying several so you don't have to share. Retro Bakery's motto is "It's All About the Buttercream." And that's why I love them so much! Delicious buttercream frosting, moist cakes, large variety of flavors, and KILLER cookies! They have earned this spot on my list. You can read my full review here.

#5 on My Top 10 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 will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#5

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sweet and Saucy Shop

LOCATION: Long Beach, CA (second location in Newport Beach opening soon!)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Candy Bar Cupcake - vanilla buttermilk cake, chocolate ganache filling, peanut butter cream cheese frosting, and salted caramel




I loved Sweet and Saucy Shop before it even opened. I mean, have you seen Melody's blog? And not only are her desserts absolutely beautiful, they taste AMAZING too! I really wish I could get married again just so I could have her dessert bar at my reception. Sweet and Saucy Shop sells cupcakes, cookies, and mini desserts. The cupcakes sell for $3.00-$3.25 and the minis for $1.50-$1.75. A second location will be opening in Newport Beach soon. I can't wait! You can read my full review here.

#6 on My Top 10 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 the updated list for The Cupcake Activist's Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time! This list will be constantly changing, as there are so many cupcakes I have yet to try.

#6

CUPCAKE SHOP: Frosted Cupcakery

LOCATION: Belmont Shores, Hermosa Beach, Hollywood, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Chocolate Caramel Toffee

Although I haven't tried one of their famous ice cream cupcakes yet, Frosted Cupcakery won me over with their delicious and creamy frostings. I originally described them as edible works of art because they are not just pieces of cake with frosting on top, they add extra little details to make their cupcakes more special. They have a large variety of cupcake flavors, amazing frostings, and great prices ($2.95 for a cupcake). I am definitely visiting them again so I can see if the ice cream cupcakes are worth the hype (I'm guessing yes!). You can read my full review here.

#7 on My Top 10 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.

#7

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sprinkles Cupcakes

LOCATION: Throughout the USA (my location: Newport Beach, CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Red Velvet and Pumpkin




How could Sprinkles not be on my list? Sprinkles was the first cupcake shop I've ever visited and it is definitely a winner. Their giant cupcakes are delicious! My favorite flavors are the ones with cream cheese frosting. I'm dying to try their new Salty Caramel cupcake though! Sprinkles is one of the pioneers of the cupcake world. They have great tasting cupcakes, a nice flavor selection, and enough frosting to keep you on a sugar high for a week. $3.25 is a small price to pay for frosting happiness! You can read my full review here.

#8 on My Top 10 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. .

#8

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sweet Revenge

LOCATION: New York City, NY

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Crimson & Cream - Raspberry red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting




The first out-of-state cupcake shop on the list! I first tasted these cupcakes when my husband brought them home from a business trip in New York. When I visited New York City last year, this was a must-do on my cupcake crawl.

Sweet Revenge isn't just a cupcake shop, it's also a restaurant and bar. They even have cupcake and wine pairings. Sweet Revenge has made my top 10 list because of their sophisticated and unique cupcake flavors. The frostings on their Signature Cupcakes were amazing (and we all know that frosting is a deal-breaker for me)! You can read my full review here.

#9 on My Top 10 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.

#9

CUPCAKE SHOP: Crumbs Bake Shop

LOCATION: West Coast and East Coast (my location: Beverly Hills or Larchmont)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Banana Peanut Butter with cream cheese frosting




My first visit to Crumbs Bake Shop was back in May 2009. I made the horrible mistake of only getting one cupcake, so I had to visit again a few months later. One thing that I really love about Crumbs is their selection of flavors. Maybe that's a problem though...too many choices! They also have special edition flavors for every holiday and major event throughout the year. Crumbs cupcakes are super sized, so the $3.75 price tag fits them well, but is well worth it. Lots of cake and lots of frosting! You can check out both reviews here and here.

#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.

#11 on My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time

At the end of 2010 I compiled my list of my Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time. Since then, I've visited and reviewed so many great cupcake shops. Several of these have earned a spot on my list, so I needed to update my list of favorites. The problem is that I couldn't just pick 10, so here's my list of the Top 11 Cupcakes of All Time.

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.

#11

CUPCAKE SHOP: SusieCakes

LOCATION: Newport Beach, CA (other locations throughout CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Ginger Spice




If you ask me where to find a great cupcake in Orange County, my first response is always: SusieCakes. SusieCakes was one of the first cupcake shops I reviewed and they have remained a favorite ever since. Their cupcakes are simple but delicious. Of course my favorite flavor has to be a flavor they only offer during the fall. Besides cupcakes, SusieCakes also offers a variety of other baked goods, such as cookies, whoopie pies, bars, and cakes. They have one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever tasted. I had to keep them on my list, so they became my #11. You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time - Recap

#10 - Kara's Cupcakes

#9 - Crumbs Bake Shop

#8 - Sweet Revenge

#7 - Divine Desserts

#6 - Vanilla Bake Shop

#5 - Sprinkles Cupcakes

#4 - Sweet and Saucy Shop

#3 - SusieCakes

#2 - Sweet Tooth Fairy

and my favorite cupcake shop of all time is Elizabethan Desserts!

I hope you enjoyed my list. There are still so many cupcake shops that I haven't tried yet, so this list will definitely be ever-changing. Do you know a cupcake shop that I should visit and review? Let me know so I can add it to my list of shops to visit in the future.

Happy New Year! I predict a year full of lots of cupcakes!

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #1

This is the end of my list, my favorite cupcake shop of all-time.

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. But I did. You can check out all of my reviews under the tab "Cupcake Reviews." It's now 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 last day of 2010!

#1

CUPCAKE SHOP: Elizabethan Desserts

LOCATION: Encinitas, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Monkey Business - moist vanilla-banana cake with cream cheese frosting and caramel drizzle






I discovered this quaint little shop in 2008. It's nestled within a nursery in Encinitas, CA. I call it heaven on earth! When I stepped inside the bakery, I immediately knew this was the place, the place that I would recommend as THE BEST CUPCAKE SHOP!

I went against my instincts and tried a flavor I wouldn't normally have picked. PERFECTION - the best cupcake I've ever eaten! I dream about the Monkey Business cupcake all the time. But that cupcake isn't the only good one, everything I have eaten from Elizabeth Desserts is delicious!

These cupcakes are definitely different than any other cupcake I've tried before. The difference is that these cupcakes are more like desserts in a cupcake shape. The cake in Monkey Business is not the same as the usual consistency of a "normal" cupcake. Elizabeth Desserts has differentiated themselves by going beyond the traditional cupcake idea. I love their cupcakes and can't wait to go back soon! You can check out my full reviews here and here.

Elizabeth Desserts
155 Quail Garden Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
760-230-6780

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #2

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 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!

#2

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sweet Tooth Fairy

LOCATION: 6 locations in Utah

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Cheesecake, Dulce de Leche





I didn't expect to find my #2 favorite cupcake shop in Utah. Nothing against Utah, but I wasn't impressed by any cupcakes I had tried there before. Shame on me for judging the entire state of Utah.

Sweet Tooth Fairy is what I imagine heaven to be like! Delicious cupcakes, lots of flavor choices, cake bites, cookies....ahhh! Yep, heaven! When I visited Sweet Tooth Fairy in Provo, Utah last year, I got to try about 20 flavors. I tried a few more when I stopped by their St. George location last month. I have yet to find a cupcake of theirs I didn't LOVE! Maybe if I'm lucky enough, Sweet Tooth Fairy will expand to Orange County. A girl can wish, can't she? You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #3

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 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!

#3

CUPCAKE SHOP: SusieCakes

LOCATION: Newport Beach, CA (other locations throughout CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Ginger Spice




If you ask me where to find a great cupcake in Orange County, my first response is always: SusieCakes. SusieCakes was one of the first cupcake shops I reviewed and they have remained a favorite ever since. Their cupcakes are simple but delicious. Of course my favorite flavor has to be a flavor they only offer during this time of year. Besides cupcakes, SusieCakes also offers a variety of other baked goods, such as cookies, whoopie pies, bars, and cakes. They have one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever tasted. You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #4

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 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!

#4

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sweet and Saucy Shop

LOCATION: Long Beach, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Candy Bar Cupcake - vanilla buttermilk cake, chocolate ganache filling, peanut butter cream cheese frosting, and salted caramel




I loved Sweet and Saucy Shop before it even opened. I mean, have you seen Melody's blog? And not only are her desserts absolutely beautiful, they taste AMAZING too! I really wish I could get married again just so I could have her dessert bar at my reception. Sweet and Saucy Shop sells cupcakes, cookies, and mini desserts. The cupcakes sell for $3.00-$3.25 and the minis for $1.50-$1.75. You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #5

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 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!

#5

CUPCAKE SHOP: Sprinkles Cupcakes

LOCATION: Throughout the USA (my location: Newport Beach, CA)

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Red Velvet and Pumpkin




How could Sprinkles not be on my list? Sprinkles was the first cupcake shop I've ever visited and it is definitely a winner. Their giant cupcakes are delicious! My favorite flavors are the ones with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkles is one of the pioneers of the cupcake world. They have great tasting cupcakes, a nice flavor selection, and enough frosting to keep you on a sugar high for a week. $3.25 is a small price to pay for frosting happiness! You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #6

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 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!

#6

CUPCAKE SHOP: Vanilla Bake Shop

LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Meyer Lemon Raspberry




I'm a sucker for filled cupcakes, but it only makes sense that my favorite cupcake from Vanilla Bake Shop has a lemon curd center. High points: moist cake, creamy frosting, sugar crystals, and availability of "cupcake babies." Sometimes I like to eat a few different flavors of cupcakes, but don't want to feel like a pig doing it. "Cupcake babies" are 3 for $5. You can read my full review here.

My Top 10 Cupcakes of All Time: #7

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 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!

#7

CUPCAKE SHOP: Divine Desserts

LOCATION: Laguna Niguel, CA

FAVORITE FLAVOR: Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting



Last year I got to experience the full VIP treatment from Divine Desserts with a tour of their shop and a tasting of their cupcakes. I wish I could experience every cupcake shop this way! Moist cupcakes, perfect frosting, and a huge assortment of flavors to choose from (20 daily flavors) makes Divine Desserts a great cupcake shop to visit. They also sell other goodies such as cookies, muffin tops, and frosting shots (pina colada was my favorite). The Red Velvet has a little something extra special in it which sets it apart from the many other red velvets I've tasted. Their cupcakes sell for $3.00. You can see my full review here.