A while back I stared looking for a gourmet cupcake bakery in Calgary. In fact I found two, "Crave - cookies and cupcakes" and "Buttercream Bake Shoppe". Fabulous!! The reason for my excitement is that my husband's and my wedding anniversary was approaching and for our wedding cake we had gourmet chocolate cupcakes with strawberry buttercream icing. Every year I like to recreate this delicious part of our wedding with a gourmet chocolate cupcake topped with strawberry buttercream. Since we moved from Ontario, and ordering cupcakes across the country is problematic, I started to look for a local gourmet cupcake shop.

The first place, "Crave" has 2 locations, the one I visited was in Kensington. Kensington district is considered the trendiest neighborhood in Calgary with many chick shops, restaurants, and other urban village establishments. One sunny day we visited this cute urban village and found at the horizon a large line-up outside of a certain shop. Of course the line was in front of the cupcake shop. I didn't mind waiting 20 minutes to place my order... although my husband and the other men that stood in the line looked as though they felt slightly out of place. I enjoyed looking at the storefront gallery with it's many tasty looking cupcakes deliciously decorated. In a second window, facing the back of the store, I could see a girl decorating what looked like a birthday cake. The storefront's simple display was very inviting and encouraged us to continue to stand in line.

Inside were 4 or 5 young ladies with big smiles rushing around and arranging cupcake orders. Indeed, it looks like business is good. I asked the lady behind the counter, who was taking my order, to tell me about their current selection, she was most helpful.

All the large cupcakes cost $2.65, and with engaging smiles all around no one seemed to mind the price. We purchased a chocolate cupcake with strawberry buttercream "The Princess", the signature cupcake "Crave-o-Licious" and a few others. As soon as we left, my husband and I found the first available bench to try out our freshly bought treats.

The icing was light, airy and delicious and complemented well the chocolate cake on first bite. However on finishing our first cupcake and several ones later at home I must say that I have a few less praising opinions. Firstly, there was not enough icing. I would have liked to eat a cupcake maybe with 10-15% more icing. Secondly, the cake batter (chocolate and vanilla), left me feeling empty as if I just ate air. However, the flavours themselves were good. I would have preferred a cupcake batter with richer texture and flavour. 

Feeling less than impressed with my own opinion I asked a few of my friends who tried cupcakes from this gourmet bakery what they though of this fancy shop. Interestingly they had a similar opinion to my own, and now only purchase from the bakery when they're bringing treats to a party.

Indeed, paying $2.65 plus tax for a cupcake left me feeling empty and hungry for another dessert. 

All in all, a cupcake and cupcake sometimes just don't measure up. I am however still looking forward to checking out the "Buttercream Bake Shoppe" and trying a few of their cupcakes. After all, half the fun is in savouring every bite. Try for your self.   

 

 

 

 

 

|