5 Bay Area cupcake places to try
A particularly stressful week in the Bay Area makes me want to give everyone therapeutic cupcake assortments. My close friend brought me a box the other day, so I know how much they help, if they're really good.
The gift inspired me to make this list of the ones that will get you invited back to the party, even if it's a party of one.
The Cake Queen & Coffee Bar (South San Francisco)
Cupcake mastery is in the case at The Cake Queen. Get some tres leches cake slices while you're there, too. They have several different flavors, and they're all magnificent.
Cupcakin' Bake Shop (Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Walnut Creek)
One of the best doorstep promo deliveries ever was this sampler from Cupcakin' Bake Shop, and it's been exciting to watch the growth of this company in the Bay Area and now out of state. The key lime cupcake may be my favorite favorite in all the land, but there are no wrong answers here.
Icing on the Cake (Los Gatos)
These are the tender cupcakes that inspired this list. Everyone apparently goes for the banana cake in front there, but it would be a mistake to not try other flavors, especially the cinnamon apple fall special.
Noe Valley Bakery (San Francisco)
The assortments at Noe Valley Bakery are perfect to bring to a birthday dinner, as a friend wonderfully did to mine. I'm most in love with the Hostess-esque chocolate one, but they are all solid.
SusieCakes (Greenbrae, Lafayette, Menlo Park, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose)
I have given this birthday assortment to another close friend a few times, and they've been a happy maker. SusieCakes has always had an A in my book.
This week's Good Taste column features recommendations of what to eat at the Chase Center's six new counters, as well as standout new items from returning vendors. Thank you to the Warriors for inviting me to preview this seasons high-quality snacks.
Tamara Palmer
See you next weekend!
Tamara
