Sunday
Mar092008
Peace, Love, and Cupcakes: A Cakewalk With Some Greenpeace Hippies in Berkeley, CA and Environs
Sunday, March 9, 2008 
Cakespy Note: Photo credit for the above image goes to Flickr user bgreenlee, via the Crixa Cakes Pool.
Greenpeace. With all of those hopeful-faced "do you have a moment for the environment" street-crew employees sprinkled on city corners, it can be hard to remember what it is they do in the first place (hey, just saying). Luckily for us, Cake Gumshoe Bridget
(in the red shirt, photo left--hope she doesn't mind us choosing that photo) just sohappens to work for the Greenpeace Headquarters--so she's able to keep the rest of us in line about what they really do (you know, like protecting the environment, animals, our planet...all that good stuff). But man, saving the world can sure work up an appetite--so while her crew was on a field mission in Berkeley, it was sweet, sugary treats that kept them going. While they were only there for a short time and therefore weren't able to hit up all of the bakeries in the area, they did take some extra field notes on three stops that impressed them on their visit; here's what those damn hippies saw, tasted and loved in the Berkeley area (excerpted directly from Cake Gumshoe Bridget's field notes):
Second Stop: Love at First Bite a cupcakery (!) which had a ridiculous assortment of cupcakes, such as Monkey Love, True Love, Hummingbird, and Pumpkin Bliss. I needless to say was overwhelmed. I asked the counter girl about every one and which one sold the best. "First Love" (which is a madagascar bourbon cupcake) and the Matcha Green Tea cupcake (which is a delicate green tea cupcake)." Her point was, in fact, proven since they were out of both and it was only 2pm. Decisions, decisions--I went with "Bunny Love" which is a carrot cupcake with pecans and pineapple, and also ordered a mini cupcake of Pumpkin Bliss. So no excuses if you're on a so-called "diet" since a mini cupcake is half the size of a normal one--and besides, they are too cute to resist! Cakespy Note: We cannot fail to mention the overall friendliness of the entire (French Bulldog-loving) staff at this bakery; we thank them for their permission to use the photo, left, of their cupcakes. Love at First Bite, 1510 Walnut Street, Suite G Berkeley, CA; (510) 848-5727; online at loveatfirstbitebakery.com.
Last (but by no means least) Stop: The Teacake Bakeshop. This was a sophisticated, classic bakery. No outlandish varieties, no bells and whistles. Just simple and decadent. The cupcakes are seasonally decorated so the shelves were filled with pastels, bunnies, and flowers. and shelve on top of shelf of cookies. Since I outdid myself during the week on cakes I opted for a shortbread cupcake cookie. Genius! a cookie in costume! I also purchased a vanilla frosted "softie" sugar cookie for my roommate who response was "that ruled" which I translate from frat boy lingo as "Wow, why this cookie held that fresh out of the oven softness topped with rich butter cream-- I'm speechless" Teacake Bakeshop is also known for their boxed gift sets for any occasion (which are shippable!). They also had cookie sandwiches with your choice of filling. mmm... Teacake Bakeshop, 5615 Bay St., Emeryville, CA; (888) 558-0188. Online at teacakebakeshop.com.
(in the red shirt, photo left--hope she doesn't mind us choosing that photo) just sohappens to work for the Greenpeace Headquarters--so she's able to keep the rest of us in line about what they really do (you know, like protecting the environment, animals, our planet...all that good stuff). But man, saving the world can sure work up an appetite--so while her crew was on a field mission in Berkeley, it was sweet, sugary treats that kept them going. While they were only there for a short time and therefore weren't able to hit up all of the bakeries in the area, they did take some extra field notes on three stops that impressed them on their visit; here's what those damn hippies saw, tasted and loved in the Berkeley area (excerpted directly from Cake Gumshoe Bridget's field notes):
First Stop: Crixa Cakes, which may also be known as cake heaven; they had unique cakes such as Budapest coffee cake, ginger cake, Romeo G, and an assortment of flourless cakes, and cupcakes--my lord!--all of the basics and one that particularly caught my eye was the Raspberry Cream cupcake which was decorated like it was topped with roses. My friend and I got said cupcake and the fresh ginger cake along with the recommended ginger tea. The cake was perfectly spiced and sweet, and the cupcake was devilishly rich. My only warning is take your treat to go, or you may never leave. Cakespy Note: Though our dear Cake Gumshoe Bridget didn't sample it, we couldn't neglect to mention that Crixa has a coffin Springerle mold--holy sweetness! Crixa Cakes, 2748 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA; (510) 548-0421. Online at crixacakes.com.
Second Stop: Love at First Bite a cupcakery (!) which had a ridiculous assortment of cupcakes, such as Monkey Love, True Love, Hummingbird, and Pumpkin Bliss. I needless to say was overwhelmed. I asked the counter girl about every one and which one sold the best. "First Love" (which is a madagascar bourbon cupcake) and the Matcha Green Tea cupcake (which is a delicate green tea cupcake)." Her point was, in fact, proven since they were out of both and it was only 2pm. Decisions, decisions--I went with "Bunny Love" which is a carrot cupcake with pecans and pineapple, and also ordered a mini cupcake of Pumpkin Bliss. So no excuses if you're on a so-called "diet" since a mini cupcake is half the size of a normal one--and besides, they are too cute to resist! Cakespy Note: We cannot fail to mention the overall friendliness of the entire (French Bulldog-loving) staff at this bakery; we thank them for their permission to use the photo, left, of their cupcakes. Love at First Bite, 1510 Walnut Street, Suite G Berkeley, CA; (510) 848-5727; online at loveatfirstbitebakery.com.
Last (but by no means least) Stop: The Teacake Bakeshop. This was a sophisticated, classic bakery. No outlandish varieties, no bells and whistles. Just simple and decadent. The cupcakes are seasonally decorated so the shelves were filled with pastels, bunnies, and flowers. and shelve on top of shelf of cookies. Since I outdid myself during the week on cakes I opted for a shortbread cupcake cookie. Genius! a cookie in costume! I also purchased a vanilla frosted "softie" sugar cookie for my roommate who response was "that ruled" which I translate from frat boy lingo as "Wow, why this cookie held that fresh out of the oven softness topped with rich butter cream-- I'm speechless" Teacake Bakeshop is also known for their boxed gift sets for any occasion (which are shippable!). They also had cookie sandwiches with your choice of filling. mmm... Teacake Bakeshop, 5615 Bay St., Emeryville, CA; (888) 558-0188. Online at teacakebakeshop.com.Any suggestions on other bakeries we must visit on our next trek to the East Bay? Let us know!
Reader Comments (46)
Oh i want the fist pinky cup cake.
Oh i want the fist pinky cup cake.
Pumpkin Bliss!!!??? I want some now!
I love reading about your cakewalks. I'm so jealous! I think I need to move back to the West Coast...
Hey, I just wanted to let you know of a blog that I thought you might want to check out, she just started up a bakery in L.V. Nevada. the blog is http://buildingabakery.blogspot.com
Definately worth a try.
Also anytime you want to come to Brunswick Maine, I will make you some killer goodies too. I might even make you dinner. Love your blog and the illustrations :)
I'm so jealous... I never see places like this in San Diego!! I'm sure they exist, but I haven't spied them :(
I love the idea of the taller cupcake; looks so elegant.
The pink cupcake at the top is killer. Thats a gorgeous cupcake. Love the cakewalks, it makes me realize how far I have to go before I can open my dream bakery. ;)
Great finds here...
That top chocolate/pink cupcake looks absolutely elegant. It almost looks like a tulip. A tulip I could anhilate (sp) w/my pie hole.
Another delightful Cakewalk! The only thing more fun than reading about them would be actually being there. Sigh...I wish!
what adorable cupcakes. How I wish , people here in Richmond, Va liked green tea cupcakes more because I'd love to make one.
I've subscribed to your blog via my Google Reader, so I HAVE been reading all your posts! Such an amazing blog, Cakespy, really!
i've been dying for a carrot cake cupcake!!!
And that first cupcake is beautiful!
Such beautiful cupcakes! The first one and the carrot cupcake are too cute!
So sweet, as small sculptures! (and good to eat…)
Berkeley is not too far.... Great for shopping. Maybe I can make a combo trek out there (hard to justify a 40-50 min drive for a cupcake when trying to lose 10 lbs!).
Growing up in Texas it's hard to get my head around environmental concerns, but my son opted for donations to Greenpeace in lieu of gifts for his 8th birthday party.... Way to go Bridget!
Loved the pink cake on top and the one with small carrots did catch my eye...You are lucky to taste them!!!
What beauty in these cupcakes! I love the first pink cupcake. Look at the work in the Crixa Cakes wow oh wow. Great post as always!!
Rosie x
oh my god these are certainly drool worthy. I love all the cupcakes you showcase...
Beautiful pictures! I think the first love cupcake and the matcha cupcake sound delicious.
Also, congrats on the art in Taste of Home. That's so cool!
I dream of California these days so this post is making me super jealous. Really. And I live in PARIS!
(Also wanted to tell you that Benjy answered your wish and posted a pic of him dancing on my blog. No, I'm not kidding.)
I love Teacake's dulce de leche cupcake.
Hmm, those last ones look SO good!
I tried to post comments to you all weekend and blogger just gave me error messages. Sometimes I think blogger hates me. That cupcake picture is gorgeaus! I just wanted to say congrats on the new mag gig! I will buy that mag now just because of you!