Cakespy Takes the Cake: A Special Guest Spot on Cupcakes Take the Cake!

Cakespy Note: As you know, Cupcakes Take the Cake is one of the awesomest sites ever--their dedication to cupcakes is awe-inspiring, and the girls who write for it happen to be 100% pure fun as well; they've been featured in many publications and even on Martha Stewart!

So it was an honor to be asked to be part of their "Guest Blogger" program in celebration of their 4-year anniversary. For our post, Head Spy Jessie sounded off on Seattle cupcakes--here's her contribution.

One of the most common questions I get asked by people coming to visit Seattle is "Where should I go for the best cupcakes?".

This question makes me want to pop a Xanax or ten, because it's a fraught question for a people-pleaser like me. How could I possibly know what you'll like? *Heaves into paper bag*

But you know what I can do? I can tell you what I like. Me, me, me. But I haven't set it up as a bakery guide: I've done it geographically, by destinations that I deem worthy, so depending on where you find yourself in Seattle, you'll never be far from a cupcake. Whether you like them or not will be up to you--but then again, isn't taking a risk part of having an adventure?

Here goes:

Alaska Junction in West Seattle: This is a cool little shopping area, but it's definitely a drive from downtown Seattle (at 6 or so miles, it would be an awfully healthy walk). But it's worth the drive because there you'll find Cupcake Royale and Sugar Rush Bakery, and just a bit down the road, a PCC, all of which have cupcakes. Yes, worth the trip.

Archie McPhee: Do you love kitschy, cool little impulse buy items? Of course you do, so you'll want to visit the Ballard neighborhood, home of Archie McPhee, which is the company that brought the world such gems as the Jesus Action Figure (c'mon, you've seen it at Hot Topic, don't lie). Just down the block, you can get your cupcake on at Cupcake Royale's flagship location, which features an amazing Cupcake art piece above the entrance.

The Houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle: Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Seattle lives in a houseboat (sorry). However, you can get a Tom and Meg spark--at least for a few minutes--by visiting the houseboat where the magical film was made. It's kind of in no-man's land, but we'd say your best bet close by is Whole Foods Westlake, which has a good variety of cupcakes which are made in-house. I have to be honest though, I have never had one from this location--but I have had their house-made cheesecake and that was good!

Fremont Troll: I can't even begin to understand why someone made this, but I like it. Nearby, you can get your vegan cupcake fix at Flying Apron Bakery, which specializes in gluten-free, vegan baking. Some swear by their cake, but personally I think their cookies are better. PCC also has cupcakes (vegan and non), and you can sometimes-but-not-always get cupcakes at Simply Desserts (they mainly specialize in layer cakes and cakes-by-the-slice).

The Apartment Building from Singles: Aside from being part of one of the greatest films ever made, the apartment building from Singles, Coryell Court (at 19th and Thomas) is also close to a favorite bakery: The North Hill Bakery. They're only open til 5:30 p.m. or so, but I try to make it over whenever I'm in the neighborhood.

Northgate Mall: My friend Phil informed me that this was the first covered mall in North America. Of course, since he's from New Jersey, he knows his mall culture. Now, the Northgate Mall is pretty much what you'd expect in any suburban mall: jewelry stores, department stores, kiosks with back massagers. If you need to go here, then please, on your way, stop by the Blue Saucer Cafe; they retail cupcakes by Look Cupcake, which is a special-order cupcakery with filled cupcakes. Like, yum!

Pike Place Market: You may be surprised to hear this, but there are very few cupcakes at the market itself (though of course there are a lot of other great baked goods and food). They sometimes have them at Pike Place Bakery or at Michou, but in my opinion you'd be better off walking up a few blocks from the Market and checking out Macrina Bakery (read the Cupcakes Take the Cake review here) or Dahlia Bakery.

Pioneer Square / Underground Tour: The Underground Tour is cheesy, but I love it. There's a whole city beneath the city of Seattle! Like, whoa! And nearby, you can get your sweet fix at Grand Central Baking. OK, truthfully, they do not offer cupcakes. But, they offer mini bundt cakes, and they're super cute, so we're going to say they're a suitable stand-in.

Seattle Art Museum: Refer to Pioneer Square or the Seattle Public Library; it's sort of in-between the two. Oddly, your pet might have the best chance of scoring a "pupcake" in the immediate vicinity, at Three Dog Bakery.

Seattle Public Library: I love the SPL. Seriously, I go there like 3 times a week at least to research various cake and baked good related things. I even designed a postcard (image above) that they sell in their store! If you choose to visit, you'll want to trek just a few more blocks up the hill to Sugar Bakery + Cafe, where the cake is sweet and they sell my artwork. Yes, there were two plugs for my artwork in this paragraph. Also, though they don't sell cupcakes, the nearby Belle Epicurean does sell (very good) small cakes.

 

Space Needle: You'll be in the crossroads between the Belltown and Queen Anne neighborhoods. Up the road just a bit on the Queen Anne side is Metropolitan Market, where they sell cupcakes from previously mentioned Cupcake Royale; a bit further up the hill, Pasta + Co. has cupcakes too. Of course, I also live near the Space Needle so you could always give me a call and I might have some cupcakes.

Tacoma's Museum of Glass: This place is really cool--you get to see a real live glassblowing studio! It's hot, literally. And nearby, sweetness can be found at the adorable (and well-loved--they've been featured in Seattle Magazine and Sunset Magazine!) hello, cupcake, where the cupcakes are dainty-looking, but pack a dense, tasty punch when you take a bite (see above picture for an indication of how happy they made my husband, the dear Mr. Cakespy).

Woodland Park Zoo: It's not the Bronx Zoo for sure, but it's surprisingly comprehensive. Mr. Cakespy and I have spent many a happy day at this zoo. And as a bonus, it's not too far from Trophy Cupcakes, which you may know from its many features--on Martha Stewart, on Cupcakes Take the Cake, the Seattle P-I, and many more. What's a mile and a half walk when cupcake nirvana awaits?

So there you have it--my Seattle in Cupcakes, but of course, open for you to choose your own (totally sweet) adventure.

Thanks again to Cupcakes Take the Cake for letting me sound off, and a very happy 4 year anniversary to you well!

Comments

[The Courteous Chihuahua]

I've never really thought about traveling to the great Northwest...until now!

[kickpleat]

nice seattle tour! i haven't been in a while (and i've never had a seattle cupcake), so i think i'll have to make a visit soon.

[CB]

Mmmm... I wanna go to Seattle and eat cupcakes with Jessi! :)
/Clara

[Still figuring it out...]

You really do have a GREAT blog!!! I am DYING to visit the Northwest even more than I already was!
(By the way, I enjoyed the recent Twinkie blog too!)

[Rachel]

Um, I think the short answer to that question is simply "Trophy Cupcakes".

Seriously, guys.

They're absolutely wonderful.

[Nicole]

I bought the last pack of library note cards at SPL on Friday. One is now proudly decorating the door of this librarian baker's office!

[Peabody]

Oh how I am currently in love with Trophy's Snickerdoodle cupcake. So good.

[Ellabee]

Wow, look at all these readers who aren't Seattlites, just dying for a taste of our baker's best. I just found your blog a few weeks ago. I noticed that in one post you mentioned Ballard, but it wasn't until last week that I realized you actually live in Seattle. It is my home, and I miss it terribly. And now I miss the yummy baked goods too! There was this great Australian restaurant in Ballard when I was in college that made great Pavlova. Yum!

[Stinkerbelle]

Ellabee-that was Miyi! It closed a few years ago and is now a Puerto Rican restaurant.

Jeez I miss that Pavlova--the meringue with the slightly crusty outside, the amazing passionfruit custard... *sigh*

[My First Kitchen]

These drawings always make my day a little brighter. I find myself going to your etsy page just to look around. I guess I should probably buy something; it's like listening to the 30 second sample of a song on iTunes over and over.

[EB of SpiceDish]

Way to go on the guest post!

[Cakespy]

Courteous: We've got a lot of awesome bakeries!

Kickpleat: yea! Come visit soon!

CB: you're welcome anytime! :-)

Still figuring: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the Twinkie post too. Come to the NW and try our bakeries!

Rachel: Do we have a Trophy lovah in the house?? what's your favorite flavor?

Nicole: YAY! Glad to see they made it to a sweet and happy home!

Peabody: I actually have not tried that one!! I love the chai ones, so good!!

Ellabee: Oh man, I wish I had tried their Pavlova! Although I have been to the Puerto Rican place that Stinkerbelle alerts us that your old fave is now, and that is good too.

My first: Aww, thanks! And nothing wrong with that. It's kind of like going to Whole foods and making a meal out of their free samples. Not that I've ever done that, of course.

EB: Thanks! :-)

[Jennywenny]

mmm we loved seattle, now we've got a good reason to visit again!!

[Vegan_Noodle]

I need to return to Seattle for more cupcakes!

[the southern hostess]

Awesome tour! I think you covered everything!

[lyndsay]

i can't wait to do a cupcake tour the next time i'm in seattle!! especially trophy cupcakes... their aesthetic is so freaking cute! and by the looks of it, their buttercream is perfectly stiff and nicely pipe-able!! also, how much did i love the movie singles when i was a teen?? not too many cities get odes to their music scene and culture in a cameron crowe film!! hmm, haven't seen it a long time, wonder how it would hold up?? :) (i also had the soundtrack on cassette... yeh!)

[Hillary]

I love this guide - I live in Chicago but I visit Seattle a lot since I have two nieces there. Will have to find some of these places next time! :)

Hillary
http://chewonthatblog.com" REL="nofollow">Chew on That

[britthanley]

Just a response to your fremont troll post.

I grew up in Seattle, and my parents use to love taking us to visit the troll.

I am sure you already know this, but the myth was that if you drove over the bridge on Halloween night that the troll would reach up and steal your car... you and your car would then be turned to stone.

As a child this was quite a scary myth, so needless to say we stayed far from the bridge halloween night. :)

Love your blog, and artwork <3 Brittany

[Janis]

Thanks for the shout-out to Sugar! I went and tried some cookies there--sooooo good!!!! I know this was a post on cupcakes but I had to mention the cookies. You can really taste Sugar's top notch quality in everything they do. But I would walk long distances for the cookies!

Janis