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)
Yay!! A Bay Area cakewalk!! Niiiice. I have to concur... Love at First Bite is one of the best places to get a cupcake in an 85 mile radius. Way to go nimble cakespies.
Great finds, as usual!!!
Nice coffin mold!
oh I want that HUGE cupcake with pink frosting...yummm
I'm hosting a party on my blog with a chance to win a free give away....hope you have a chance to pop by...
Cheers,
Diana
Oh my gosh...what a GORGEOUS pink cupcake!! I wanted to lick the screen! Happiness is definitely found in cupcakes!!!
as a frequent visitor and former resident of the east bay i am most excited to now find a variety of locales to satisfy those cupcake cravings. wonderful tips!
I love hippie cupcakes :-)
I didn't know hippies ate cupcakes.
OMG - I wanna go to Berkley! the raspberry cupcake from Crixa looks devine - and I really dig the coffin mould.
Matcha Green Tea Cupcake????!11!1 Fresh Ginger cake? OMG I need that, NOW!
I posted a cute cupcake for you yesterday. Enjoy!
I absolutely love the first photo, am so inspired to make that design now. It's so classy. :)
I wish my permanent job was to eat precious cupcakes!! :)
Another vote for the tall pink cupcake in the first photo. It's just stunning!
I always smile when I visit this blog - it makes me want to bake (especially cupcakes) even more than I already do! haha :0)
the cupcake in photograph #1 is for sure my favorite!
that Crixa cupcake at the top is SO pretty. I'd almost hate to have to eat it. almost.
Thanks for the pic- I love getting ideas for how to decorate future cupcakes!
Wow! Everything looks so great!
Pumpkin Bliss and cupcake bliss all together! These all look fabulous. Oh, and late congrats on all the wonderful media attention from the last entry--well deserved!
OH dear, your pictures are making me hungry... yum.
Happy Cook: Me too! Cake Gumshoe Bridget didn't send us a package of them...bad Cake Gumshoe Bridget.
TW: Me too!
Aran: Yes! Come move to Seattle. We can "Cakewalk" together!
CL: Thanks!! Retro Bakery is just grand!! Hope to visit in person someday!!
RecipeGirl: Oh you must! What bakeries do you like there? Surely there are a few...?
Chocolatecoveredvegan: Doesn't it though? Stately.
Melody: Merci!
Obsessive Foodie: HA! We could annihilate that one with our respective pieholes too, methinks!
Stickygooey: Ay, there's the rub ;-)
Veron: Mmm, maybe it's time to bring on that revolution!?
Wandering Coyote: Thank you--an extreme compliment from my Retorte soul twin! :-)
Alison Nicole: Go get one! We all voted and think you deserve it.
Gigi: Aren't they though?
Marie-Louise: Not as lovely as your works of art though!
Amy--Get in the car and get yerself to Berkeley! Bridget sez, there is no excuse because minis are available. Also--isn't Bridget the best? Bully to your son for Greenpeace gifts--I don't think I am that "mature" yet (gimme presents!)
Swati: Thanks! Bridget's a lucky little Gumshoe!
Rosie: Thanks so much! Aren't they lovely?
Jessica: You said it. Thanks!
Emiline: Thanks so much!!!
Mary-Laure: That absolutely killed me! if Benjy is gone one day it is because I kidnapped him.
Walletpuppy: Aren't they wonderful?
Tizzalicious: But don't they all, though?
Ello: You freakin' rule the school. Thank you!!! (bad blogger by the way...the program. Had that problem myself).
EB: Merci!! Was hoping you'd enjoy this one. They are so cool at Love at First Bite.
Kieutiepie: Thanks cutie!
Kevin: Yea!
Diana: Thanks! And I'd give you a bite if there were any left.
Cupcakery: Don't kid yourself. We know you licked the screen.
Octavine: Thanks so much!! May you go forth and imbibe much sugar!
Vegan Noodle: As much as we make fun of 'em, us too!
Cakelaw: Let's go! Trip time!
Gtangerine: Yup. To Berkeley--stat!
Geggie: I loved them!!
Cake Wardrobe: It is a tough job but someone has to do it.
Curiousfoodie: Would love to see your version!!!!
Rural Vegan: Isn't it? Gorgeous and stately!
Veggiegirl: Woo, that is quite a compliment!! I would love a vegan option for EVERYTHING on this site...up for it? :-) hee hee.
Tempered Woman: You said it--ALMOST. If you do decorate some like this send pics!!
Jessy: Oh, it was.
Ricki: Yes indeed!! And thank you for the kudos, it means a lot to me!
Puglyfeet: And all so close to you--can you stand it?
Check this place out!!! peaceloveandcupcakes.com. I had one at Rainbow the other day. It was vegan, gluten free and delicious! Best thing to happen to San Fran since... well, Rainbow Grocery.