The beauty of a cupcake lies in its peacefulness, the instant satisfaction it evokes, and its ability to produce a smile no matter what. Some love the cake, while others could eat an entire bowl of frosting, but the true splendor comes in the total package. Cupcake shops are quickly becoming institutions in the District, and there are several nearby spots to satisfy any craving. The best thing about cupcakes? There’s no sharing involved.
Baked and Wired
How do a cupcake, a latte and a study session sound? The first two are enjoyable in any event, but Baked and Wired helps make the third more palatable by offering a large variety of original-flavored cupcakes including the Chocolate Cupcake of Doom (chocolate cake with chocolate satin frosting) and Pretty Bitchin’ (chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting). This is a great place to disappear with a book while enjoying a Bitchin’ cupcake exquisitely presented on delicate parchment paper. The shop offers hefty cupcakes topped with a large plop of frosting that leave patrons smiling for hours.
Price: $3/cupcake
Location: 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW
Flavors: Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cupcake of Doom, Chocolate Satin, Coconut, Elvis Impersonator (banana with peanut butter frosting), German Chocolate, Karen’s Birthday, Mocha, Peppermint Patty, Pretty Bitchin’, Pumpkin Spice, Razmanian Devil, Red Velvet, Smurfette, Strawberry, Teresa’s Birthday, Texas Sheetcake, Vanilla Latte, Vanilla on Vanilla.
Georgetown Cupcake
With lines out the door on a regular basis, Georgetown Cupcake is the go-to bakery on weekends. The medium-sized cupcakes allow for multiple chances to taste a wide range of flavors. Patrons should look out for the tropical-tasting Coconut and the silky-smooth Red Velvet. The cakes in this shop are also divine and not to be missed. Though Georgetown Cupcake recently opened a new flagship store on M Street, the lines won’t be getting any shorter, especially with the option of dining in now available.
Price: $3/cupcake
Location: 3301 M St. NW
Flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate Squared, Vanilla Squared, Vanilla & Chocolate, Chocolate & Vanilla, Chocolate Cubed, Peanut Butter Fudge, Lemon Blossom, Toffee Crunch, Carrot Cake, Coconut, Mocha.
Curbside Cupcake
Curbside delivery in between class sounds too good to be true, but it is a reality. Run by GW alumnus Sam Whitfield and his wife out of their distinctive pink truck, Curbside Cupcake presents students with an easy and tasty option for that little pick-me-up before a meeting or after an exam. It takes just three bites to devour these cupcakes, which have just the right amount of frosting to provide a good jolt of sugar. To find them, follow Curbside Cupcake on Twitter, Facebook or at curbsidecupcake.com.
Price: $3/cupcake
Location: Curbside is always on the move, so to get the latest update follow them on Twitter at curbsidecupcake.
Flavors: Varies daily, but options include Classic Vanilla, Classic Chocolate, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Cup, Cream Cheese on Chocolate, Vanilla with Chocolate, Chocolate with Vanilla, Mocha, Key Lime and Coconut.
Hello Cupcake
Running around Dupont Circle can be overwhelming at times, but ease and sanity abide at Hello Cupcake. The smaller-sized cupcakes here are comprised of equal amounts cake and icing. The proportions may be a bit much for some, but the delectable taste and freshness more than make up for it. While they are heavy on the frosting, the cake flavors are light and airy, making for a good balance. Hello Cupcake also offers special cupcakes for those who cannot normally enjoy them because of gluten allergies or dairy restrictions.
Price: $3/cupcake
Location: 1361 Connecticut Ave. NW
Flavors: Rotates daily, but includes Chocolate/Vanilla, Vanilla/Chocolate, 24 Carrot, Peanut Butter Blossom, Triple Coconut, Tiramisu, Raspberry Beret, Cookies-n-Cream, Dulce de Leche, Peppermint, Prima Donna, Pink Lemonade, Vanilla Gorilla, Heart of Darkness, Lucy, Penny, Gianduja, Velvet Elvis, Chococo, Princess, Raspberry, Hazelnut.
