Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

Chew on This: Where’s the Best Cupcake?

By Kate Nerenberg   Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The cupcake trend shows no signs of slowing: Georgetown Cupcake is installing a second location in Bethesda, and Cupcakes Actually recently opened its doors in Fairfax. There are so many options to choose from—who do you think makes the best cupcake? What’s your flavor of choice? Let us know in the comments!

Comments


Loved the vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting at Georgetown Cupcakes. Reminded me of the ones mom use to make. But if I wasn’t sure if I should eat the heart charm on the top...but it sure was cute! The red velvet cupcake was good also but I’m biased as that’s my all time fav’rite cake. The strawberry cupcake needs some work. In some Raleigh cupcake shops, they infuse the strawberry with champagne to give it a ’lil more oomph in flavor! ...but overall I love the idea of a cream cheese frosting. can you tell i’m a cupcake afficionado?

Brandy Ruth
www.raleighvipclub.com

Posted by: Raleigh VIP Club, Jul 07, 2009 03:01:02 PM

Wow. The baked and wired crowd is clearing spamming this board. Their cupcakes are big and cheap, but they are nothing special. Georgetown Cupcake makes the best ones, which is why their lines are always outside the door.

Posted by: Fred, Jul 01, 2009 03:33:01 PM

Red Velvet = hipsters in Chinatown with damaged taste buds

Georgetown Cupcake = Full of NoVa transplants enjoying their big weekend in the city

Baked & Wired = Where people who live in Georgetown and like cupcakes actually go

Posted by: Georgetonian, Jun 22, 2009 09:55:38 AM

Georgetown Cupcakes are by far the worst cupcake around. dry and tasteless

Posted by: Anyplace but Georgetown Cupcakes, Jun 22, 2009 09:29:18 AM

Hands down Baked and Wired! I take my NYC and Boston friends there, and many of them still talk fondly of eating the cupcakes while sitting on the pier. PS I personally love their PB cupcake.

Posted by: Ella, Jun 17, 2009 04:35:04 PM

Baked and Wired is the best by far! Also, Just Cakes in Bethesda is amazing!

Posted by: Claudia, Jun 17, 2009 12:34:42 PM

Buzz makes the perfect cupcake--reminiscent of childhood. I love Baked and Wired, though they are very fork and knife and difficult to pick up (the flavor is great! :) )

Posted by: Meaghin, Jun 17, 2009 11:01:52 AM

Baked and Wired. No one comes close to their cupcakes, bars, or cookies. The strawberry cupcake is like heaven in a paper wrapping. I’m just concerned that so many agree; I don’t want to wade through the lines that block Georgetown Cupcake’s door (for no good reason other than cuteness).

Posted by: LFL, Jun 17, 2009 10:57:05 AM

Edibles Incredible in Reston & Brambleton! Great selection & I’ve never had one I didn’t like.

Posted by: Natalie, Jun 17, 2009 10:53:42 AM

I have to go with SinDC (http://www.capitalsindc.com). Just some gourmet goodness on the cheap. You can find their cupcakes at Nellie’s every night of the week, but you can also just place an order and they’ll deliver to you gratis. Their mojito-inspired cupcakes are the stuff of the gods.

Posted by: Melanie, Jun 17, 2009 10:25:42 AM

Bittersweet Cafe in Old Town has the best Carrot, Lemon, and Toffee cupcakes. And they have 2 different sizes which is nice cause my 2yr old and husband differ when it comes to size.
Oh and they are 50% off after 5pm - nowhere mentioned above does such a courtosey for their customers.

Posted by: Julie, Jun 17, 2009 08:30:33 AM

Personally love Hello Cupcake, but if you’re around the Spring Valley area you should try the red velvet cupcakes at Wagshals. They are delish!!!

Posted by: Alison Rachel, Jun 17, 2009 06:19:53 AM

Red Velvet on 7th Street has the lightest, fluffiest frosting in town. Even better, they are open late!

Posted by: Carol, Jun 17, 2009 05:27:16 AM

Best Buns in Shirlington (attached to Carlye Cafe) are FABULOUS !!!!
Love Love Love their coconut, and chocolate with cream cheese topping--can not sing their praises enough fabulous, fabulous, fabulous - and great value, too. they are True cupcake size ( as in , a cup of this and a cup of that) and that’s that on that.

Posted by: Marsha Weiner, Jun 17, 2009 03:06:32 AM

Baked and Wired are by far the best in town. Nothing like it. Just cakes in Bethesda aren’t bad but they have doubled their icing lately and it’s too much. Georgetown Cupcake always disappoints me-- but they sure know how to build a buzz.




Posted by: Cupcake, Jun 16, 2009 08:00:09 PM

fancy cakes by leslie in Bethesda is fantastic - delicious cupcakes, well decorated, creative, and yummy!! I like the coconut...

Posted by: Suzanne, Jun 16, 2009 06:28:28 PM

Georgetown Cupcake ROCKS They won the WaPo’s Cupcake Wars for a reason!!!

Posted by: Kelly R, Jun 16, 2009 05:03:30 PM

Buzz Bakery was probably the worse cupcake I have had. I would have rather had grocery store cupcakes. I went in the morning after Sunday brunch, the cake was dry on the outside and the frosting was so sugary sweet, it makes you feel ill.

Posted by: Rani, Jun 16, 2009 04:47:11 PM

I like Buzz Cafe in Alexandria, but I guess it doesn’t qualify since it’s not in DC.

Posted by: Vania, Jun 16, 2009 03:47:31 PM

Buzz in Old Town Alexandria.

Posted by: Paula, Jun 16, 2009 03:26:25 PM

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Georgetown Cupcakes! They are hands down THE BEST and I hope they come to Fairfax next!!! The peanut butter fudge is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Posted by: Liz, Jun 16, 2009 03:23:34 PM

Hello Cupcake has the best cakes in town. The carrot cake cupcake is to DIE for! Everything is always fresh and heavenly.

Cakelove needs to close it’s doors. There’s stiff competition here, and they lose big time (esp cause their stuff is frozen and needs to thaw out before eatting. ick).

Posted by: Tammy, Jun 16, 2009 02:28:57 PM

I was a huge fan of Georgetown Cupcakes, but since Cupcakes Actually opened up it is my new fav. Now I don’t have to drive to DC to fulfill my sweet craving!!!!!!! I personally go for the Peanut Butter Dipped.

Posted by: cupcakelover, Jun 16, 2009 02:17:51 PM

Baked and wired is the best, the icing and the actual cake are absolutely amazing... In second place: red velvet, their red velvet cupcakes are amazing!

Posted by: paola, Jun 16, 2009 01:54:37 PM

Baked and Wired in GT. Their chocolate peanut butter cupcake is awesome! The others are great, too, but that’s the best.

Posted by: Mary, Jun 16, 2009 01:44:49 PM

Georgetown Cupcake is the best, hands down!

Posted by: fairfax, va, Jun 16, 2009 01:43:31 PM

I love Blushing Bakeshop’s Couture Cupcakes. They are using real butter instead of oil...The chocolate Raspberry one is my favorite!!!

Posted by: Lily D, Jun 16, 2009 01:12:24 PM

Blushing Bakeshop’s Couture Cupcakes are AMAZING!!!! They use real butter instead of oil. I love their Chocolate Raspberry ones. Yum!

Posted by: Lily D, Jun 16, 2009 01:10:52 PM

Baked and Wired is number one on my list, their cake is always soft and their frosting thick and velvety. Lavender Moon is also great for their unique flavors.

Posted by: Lisa , Jun 16, 2009 01:07:14 PM

Lavender Moon in Alexandria - can’t decide if it’s the S’mores cupcake or the Lemon Curd I like best...but they are wonderful!

Posted by: Meredith, Jun 16, 2009 01:06:32 PM

Sticky Buns in Columbia Heights are amazing... even for non-vegans!

Posted by: jen, Jun 16, 2009 01:01:33 PM

Baked & Wired is way above the other cupcake bakeries in DC! Not only is their frosting fantastic but the actual cake is moist and delicious - definite winners!

Posted by: EP , Jun 16, 2009 01:01:21 PM

Hello Cupcake in Dupont - HANDS DOWN! I love the chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. It’s heavenly.

Posted by: TheArtofAccessories, Jun 16, 2009 01:01:13 PM

after careful consideration, and many taste tests, I would have to say Hello Cupcake is my favorite!

Posted by: rachels, Jun 16, 2009 01:00:46 PM

Oh, I agree that Baked and Wired is the best. I thought I was the only one. Red Velvet’s vanilla cupcakes are quite wonderful as well.

Posted by: SRW, Jun 16, 2009 12:41:38 PM

Agreed. Baked and Wired are the best in town. And no lines!

Posted by: Aaron, Jun 16, 2009 11:54:52 AM

Hello Cupcake in Dupont Circle! Fun, rotating flavors add variety to a classic, soft cake recipe and, best of all, they are easily metro accessible!

Posted by: Hilary, Jun 16, 2009 11:46:13 AM

While there are many delicious treats to be found in the DC area, only one "takes the cake." (Ha ha ha!!) Baked and Wired has the tastiest cupcakes, with icing that stands out among the rest. Red Velvet is good, too, but just a notch below.

Posted by: Tim, Jun 16, 2009 11:46:05 AM

I’m not a fan of mounds of icing on cupcakes, so Cake Love is not on the top of the list. Georgetown Cupcake and Buzz Bakery never let me down though!

Posted by: Nara, Jun 16, 2009 11:45:47 AM

No doubt about it- the best is definitely Baked & Wired! Great icing!

Posted by: Vanessa, Jun 16, 2009 11:39:36 AM

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.

Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif
Newsletter Signup
  1. Bridal Party
  2. Dining Out
  3. Kliman Online
  4. Shop Around
  5. Where & When
  6. Learn more sign_up.gif
 

Can DC’s New Digital News Operations Replace the Once-Great Newspaper Bureaus?

Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger. more

Where & When: What to Do This Weekend

Sip some Beaujolais Nouveau, check out the Terra Cotta warriors, see a vintage murder thriller, and more this weekend. more