Oklahoma City was a little late joining the cupcake bandwagon, but they shops that went in have more than made up for it. There are six "cupcake specialty" shops in the metro, and a few places you might not know about that also have good cupcakes. I never thought to take photos while at these places, so I apologize! Here's my breakdown on them all – or at least the ones I know about:
Sara Sara Cupcakes, NE 9th & Broadway, OKC
sarasaracupcakes.com
The cake is moist, but almost too dense to be considered cake. They're more of the consistency of a muffin. Usually the cake has mild flavor - don't expect super-sugary goodness from this joint. There is very, very little frosting, and every time I've had it, it feels like mayo. Yes, mayonnaise. Gag-a-mundo.
The wonderful thing about Sara Sara is they helped boost a revitalization of Automobile Alley. It's in an adorable location (right next to my favorite restaurant, Iguana Mexican). Cupcakes are about $3 each, but they are jumbo sized. Overall, I'd say they're overrated, but do have an excellent variety and very cool decor. The décor is almost a must-see.
Cuppies and Joe, NW 23 at Shartel, OKC
cuppiesandjoe.com
Once you battle the parking problem, you'll find it was worth the struggle. When you walk inside the renovated cottage, you'll find cute, comfy chairs and a homey atmosphere. The cupcakes are homemade. For real. No mixes here (I like mixes, but whatever floats your boat). They have cute names for the cakes, and even have cookies, brownies and pie. Oh...and a GREAT coffee bar. People don't usually pop in and out of Cuppies; they get a cupcake, grab a latte and linger for a few hours, reading books or browsing on their laptops. Oh and the staff is wonderful - the nicest in town by far!
As for the cakes, they are very sweet (I like sweet!). If you're a peanut butter fan, go for the Neverland (peanut butter cake with a Hershey's kiss baked in...it's heaven). The downside is they are standard-sized cakes, and sell for $2 each. Oh and they're not pretty - they look like your grandma made them. Very home-style, and generous with the frosting. It takes two to really satisfy me (but I'm a pig). Overall, go to Cuppies and Joe to get a snack and caffeine fix, but be prepared to relax and enjoy the ambience (outside seating available).
Cupcakes To Go Go, Edmond & Santa Fe, Edmond
cupcakestogogo.com
I’ve only been once, and the cupcakes were decent. I’m pretty sure they’re from scratch. They are a bit stingy with the frosting, but they sell frosting shots if you want the extra butter cream. The cakes are standard-size, so if you’re hungry, get more than one. They have a great variety, but sell out quickly so get them earlier in the day if possible. The chocolate is not very flavorful, but the frosting makes up for it.
As for décor, they’re in a strip mall. Blah. But they made the inside colorful, and have plenty of seating so you can relax and enjoy your treat. Overall, go only if you want a cupcake and can’t get to one of the better shops.
Green Goodies by Tiffany, Western & Wilshire, Nichols Hills
Greengoodiesbytiffany.com
This is a vegan-friendly, gluten-free, allergen-free, diabetic-friendly shop. Oh, and organic. Don’t forget organic. It’s hard for me to judge this one properly, because the textures of all of the cupcakes didn’t agree with me. I’m sure if you never got a regular piece of cake they would be awesome, though! If you have nut allergies, this is the place for you. If you’re vegan, this is the place for you. It’s nice to know people have this option. They have both standard and mini sizes, which is awesome. Minis rock. Overall, go if you’re curious, but don’t expect anything mind-blowing. The shop is very cute, located in a strip mall, and has tables and chairs so you can sit and enjoy your treat.
Pinkitzel, downtown OKC
Pinkitzel.com
Wow. The décor in here is totally over-the-top…in a good way! It’s a combo candy/cupcake/party store. It is totally gorgeous inside! They sell bulk candy and have rooms for private parties (one room for adults, one for kids – but if your kids don’t like clowns, book the adult room…creepy). They have a really big selection of really big cupcakes. Well, the cake is normal-sized, but it’s topped with a giant mounded swirl of frosting! They’re beautiful, and pretty tasty, too.
Gigi’s Cupcakes, May & Memorial, OKC
Gigiscupcakesusa.com
Located in a strip mall on May Avenue, Gigi’s is rather no-frills, inside and out. But the cupcakes. Oh, the cupcakes. They are so very, very good! I got the banana something and also a wedding cake. Russell got caramel apple and German chocolate. All four were delicious, but the frosting on the wedding cake did it for me. Very sweet and smooth and vanillishy. As vain as I am, I can’t believe I’m saying it but…this is the best vanilla frosting in the history of the universe. It’s probably from a mix. I don’t care.
The décor is boring. It’s all about them. Posters on the walls, t-shirts for sale, limited seating. That’s the one downfall. Plan on getting yours to go, because there are only four seats, and they’re usually taken.
So, where are these non-cupcake shops that sell cupcakes I mentioned? Read on:
Café 501, Boulevard & 5th, Edmond
Cafe501.com
This is a café but they have a nice dessert display case, which houses some cupcakes. They’re “eh,” which is disappointing seeing as how they come from La Baguette bakery. Oh well.
Sweet Cherries Bakery, 50th & N. MacArthur, Oklahoma City (near Bethany)
Sweetcherrybakery.com
She’s got a great selection of cakes, and they’re pretty good. I know they’re from a box, because of friend of mine took cake decorating classes from her and that’s what she used. Nothing to write home about, but there are a few tables to park your rear and eat a cupcake. It’s the only place on the far NW side of OKC to find a get-it-to-go cupcake, so it beats nothing. The Italian cream is pretty good!
Jamie’s, Penn & Britton, OKC
Jamiesculinary.com
I just checked the website and it says the store is closing. Bummer, because they have gorgeous home décor items and seriously good gourmet foods to go – including cupcakes. I know they’re from scratch, because I used to bake there.
Java Dave’s, NE 9th & Broadway, OKC
Javadavescoffee.com
There are a billion Java Dave’s in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but I don’t know if they all have cupcakes or not. All I know is (thanks to a reminder from my friend Bobbie) they have jumbo cupcakes in several flavors at the 9th Street location. I always got chocolate, but I know they have a pretty good variety. The cake texture is so-so, so-so is the frosting. While not a cupcake destination, they’re good enough if you happen to be there for coffee and want something sweet.
Coffee Slingers, NE 9th & Broadway, OKC
Coffeeslingers.com
Don’t worry. They won’t sling coffee at you. But at this joint around the corner from Java Dave’s (and Sara Sara) they will pour you one awesome latte. Do not, under any circumstances, say the word Starbucks in there. Blasphemy. This is REAL coffee. They serve REAL cupcakes with it. Made by some local ladies (yay for the home-based bakers!), don’t miss the jumbo chocolate cupcakes. They’re from scratch. And they’re awesome. The one I had was topped with fresh berries and big chocolate curls.
Sage Café, 228 NE 2nd, Deep Deuce, OKC
Sageokc.com
One of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had – in my life – was at Sage Café in Deep Deuce (north of Bricktown). It was the lemon – a lemon cake filled with tart lemon curd and topped with toasted marshmallow meringue frosting. They have others, but the lemon is the reason to go. And YAY for someone in OKC putting filling inside. Lemon curd. Mmmmmmmm.
Nancy’s Cupcakes, Norman
facebook.com/nancyscupcakes
You’ve got to trek through a creepy, crowded card store to find the cupcakes, but it’s worth it. They’re located inside Cookies-N-Cards on Asp, campus corner. If you can’t find parking on Asp (shocker) you can always look for them in the little gas station next to Which Wich. The cupcakes are not pretty. At all. She wraps them up with cellophane. They have very little frosting. Okay, so…cruddy parking, ugly cupcakes. You’ll pass on this one? DON’T. They are one of my favorite things and I’ve made road trips to Norman just for these cupcakes (and a slice at NY Pizza, of course). The cakes are seriously moist and have this simple, tangy frosting that makes them, well, Nancy’s.
Fancy That, Main Street, downtown Norman
Fancythat.us
Frankly, I go for the décor. If I could open a bakery-café, it would look exactly like this place! It’s in downtown Norman, which is really charming on its own. I can’t even remember is the cupcakes are any good or not, but they have cake balls, cookies, brownies and of course cupcakes.
Forward Foods, Main Street, downtown Norman
Forwardfoods.com
I’m not even sure if they still have them or not, but they used to have jumbo-sized cupcakes topped with fresh, organic cherries at the cheese counter. It’s been more than two years since I’ve had one, so I can’t remember if they’re good or not.
Sugar, 230 W. Gray St., Norman
Oksugar.com
There’s no doubt her cakes are phenomenal to look at. No doubt. But the cupcakes are really bland, and a little dry. They are very pretty, though, topped with a tiny fondant flower. It’s worth meandering inside just to ogle the cakes.
As you can tell, there are lots of places to get a cupcake in Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman. If you’re looking for cakes that will make people say, “Wow!” choose Gigi’s. If you want them to say, “Mmmmm!” head on over to Nancy’s. If you just want to hang out and eat a cupcake, go to Cuppies and Joe. But if you want to see your child’s face light up, you can’t miss with Pinkitzel.
Starbucks, the café at Borders and a lot of chain places have cupcakes – but they’re chain places. Eat at your own risk. J
Happy cupcaking, and please let me know if I’ve missed any places!
Paula
