Best of Toronto
The Best Cupcakes in Toronto
The best cupcakes in Toronto are here for the long haul. Say what you will about the supposed "cupcake craze," the cupcakes from these bake shops certainly have staying power. While some spots opt to keep mostly with the classics, others have ventured into the bacon-flavoured, stout-style, chai-infused takes on the traditional cupcake. And believe it or not, Guinness actually works in cupcake form! Guess you'll just have to try it for yourself. Here is the list of the best cupcakes in Toronto.
See also:
The best macarons in Toronto
The best donuts in Toronto
Note: Best cupcakes lists were previously published on April 2, 2011 and, before that, May 23, 2008. Comments below made up until October 14, 2012 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
For the Love of Cake
Lauded for its four-dimensional cupcakes (think cake, filling, topping and garnish) and out-of-the-box flavours, For the Love of Cake in Liberty Village has broken new, uh, “baking cups” when it comes to reinventing the cupcake. Here you’ll find flavours such as rum and coke, Guinness chocolate, pumpkin pie, and its traditional “Very Vanilla,” available in a full size for about $2.50 to $3.00, or a mini cupcake for $1.50. If you opt for the mini, trust me, you’ll want two. More »
Desmond & Beatrice
These cupcakes have long been enjoyed at various spots around the city and finally found a place to call their own in June of last year in Riverside. Red velvet, hands down, is clear Desmond & Beatrice gold, followed closely by its incredibly rich double chocolate cupcake and the always affable cookies and cream. Minis are sometimes in shop and always available by special order, but you can count on six or more different regular sized cupcakes ($2.75) in store. More »
Prairie Girl Bakery
Prairie Girl Bakery displays its cupcakes in a way you might expect of expensive jewellery or handbags, and rightfully so. This shop is all about and only about its cupcakes at both of its Toronto locations, making the butteriest of buttercreams and cakes that taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen. If your grandma bakes, that is. With options such as peanut butter and jelly on vanilla and carrot cupcakes with cream cheese icing, these treats are $2.95 each or $1.75 for a mini. More »
Dlish
Dlish’s cupcakes are about substance as much as style, proudly made with premium ingredients and nixing cutesy signage in favour of the sophisticated. This West Queen West shop changes up its finishes, too, opting for a shiny ganache finish for the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes, and a coarse coating of chocolate sprinkles to give its chocolate cupcake a little crunch. Salted caramel, especially, is a Dlish winner. Well worth the $3 each. Now with a second location near Yonge and Bloor. More »
OMG Baked Goodness
Yes, a vegan cupcake that is actually moist, not greasy and delicious! Vegan chocolate is the mainstay at this Dundas West bakeshop, available with all sorts of frostings in different colours and flavours. But if vegan chocolate’s not your thing, you might luck out if you swing by when a Guinness pumpkin cupcake or a zucchini chocolate muffincake (healthier than a cupcake?) is just waiting for your OMG arrival. Most cupcakes are priced starting at $2.50 each. More »
The Wedding Cake Shoppe
Nevermind the name. It’s more than just tiers and fondant at this Little Italy shop, especially considering the wonders that can be achieved when you shrink cakes down to personal size. Spicy chai latte, green tea, and orange ginger are a few of the more unusual cupcake varieties you’ll find at this shop, though my personal allegiance will forever be with The Wedding Cake Shoppe’s “Raspberry Rapture.” Cupcakes here are $2.65 each. More »
Sullivan & Bleeker
While Sullivan & Bleeker doesn’t have a retail location to pick up the odd salted caramel or mint chocolate chip cupcake, you don’t have to look too far to find these over-the-top treats. You can find one of its stuffed, frosted, and topped cupcakes at many high-end shops around the city, or else trek up to North York to pick up a “Dirty Dozen” of Sullivan & Bleeker’s cupcakes, made fresh to order for $36. By the time you get home, it’ll be more like a “Dirty Ten.” More »
Life is Sweet
Life is Sweet is the beloved cupcake house in the Beaches that's known to stick with the tried and true. These retro cakes are your classic lemon drop, vanilla bean, and double chocolate creations, along with the odd orange earl grey just to add an element of “new.” Prepared onsite (of course) and perfect for a boardwalk stroll, these cupcakes ring in at $2.50 each, or $1.50 for a mini cupcake. More »
Yummy Stuff
Yummy Stuff is another bakery that clearly excels when it comes to the red velvet cupcake, though its take on the maple bacon and the s’more shouldn’t be overlooked. You’ll find a whole assortment of different varieties when you step into this Parkdale shop, including the (winter-appropriate) apple cinnamon caramel, seasonal pumpkin, and summer margarita. Obviously there’s a reason to pop in any time of year. More »
Discussion
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The vanilla icing even has little specks of vanilla bean! Tastes like a luxe oreo frosting. *salivating*
http://www.lpksculinarygroove.com/our_fans.html
We also do custom orders, just shoot us an email or call us a few days ahead of time and we'll bake like fiends for you!
Love the blog, though I'll admit - this is the first time I've left a comment. I've recently checked out a new cupcake place called SugarTiers up in Markham. Very unique when compared to some of the names you've listed. I remember Toronto Star once writing about their Red Velvet Cupcake and I'm a believer after I tasted it a few weekends ago. Do you have any colour of this location and how they pare up against your list? Thanks.
Not having them in the top 3, let alone the top 10 is a travesty.
www.webakeinheels.com
Flour Sutdio on Eglinton....yum. The Red Velvet is sooooooo good and I tried many cupcakes at various stores
Anyway.. everyone from work was satisfied and can't wait for another cupcake party.. tasty.
One of the biggest disappointments to the cupcake world. My mouth was very very underwhelmed.
OMG Baked Goodness?
YES YES YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
oh, and they're vegan *in case that was a deal breaker for you
If you want cupcakes that look good in pictures, this is the place to go for "reasonably priced" photo op but if you're looking for taste? Trek across the street to Metro and grab a box of 6 for 4.99.
http://thesweetescapedistillery.com/
https://twitter.com/prettysweet_to
http://thesweetescapedistillery.com/
It's the lowest common denominator when it comes to baking.
Between the amount of hamburger joints and cupcake bakeries in this city you'd think every dropout with BBQ and Easybake oven decided to open an establishment.
D&B did the cupcakes at my kid's first birthday and we got many many compliments. SO GOOD.
While there are only a few flavours, the mint cupcake imo is the best from the places I've been too - including Prairie Girl which I found a little disappointing.
Bake Sale by Bloor & Royal York (and also Six Points Plaza) has an excellent mint cupcake.
Though I am biased, as they catered our wedding, the choice was made after sampling many. While a lot of shops have nailed the frosting/decorative elements, I feel that D&B NAIL the often overlooked "cake" part of cupcake. Always moist and flavourful.
Unit 5, Toronto. It is a great addition to the Port Union neighborhood. Below is a list of the flavours...
Caramelo-Butter peacan cupcake with caramel filling and banana cinnamon frosting
Lemon Drop- Lemon cupcake with lemon filling and lemon frosting
Nutty over Chocolate- chocolate cupcakes with chocolate peanut butter chunks and peanut butter frosting
Cafe Mocha-licious- chocolate cupcake with nutella filling and mocha frosting
Pretty n Pink- Vanilla or Chocolate cupcake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting
Oreo & Cream- Vanilla cupcake with chunks of oreo cookies and a oreo cream cheese frosting
Coconut- Vanilla cupcakes with coconut frosting topped with toasted coconut shavings
You are able to customize any order.
**Each order must be 1 dozen of the same flavour**
I highly recommend this business! Great customer service and delicious cupcakes! The prices are VERY reasonable too!
http://simplyfrosted.ca/
simplyfrostedcupcakes@gmail.com
Hi, I am fan about cupcakes, i would like have a lot of new ideas !! i visit packnblo : www.packnblog.com, they are à lot of nice idea like here ;
see u
In french :
Super idée ;)
je trouve que les cupcakes se font un place de plus en plus importante dans les cérémonies, anniversaires...
Il y a même des sociétés qui proposes des "wedding cupcakes" 8 alors pour ou contre ? moi je n'ai pas trop d'avis, pourquoi pas si les produits sont nobles...
j'en ai trouvé d’intéressant sur packnblog : http://www.packnblog.com/
Si vous avez de nouvelles idées pour les cupcakes , je suis preneuse ! parce que fan de cupcakes !
A bientôt Marie Louise
truly disappointed - Adam F
Amazing Cakes and Cupcakes in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph area.