Cupcakes are having a moment, and with good reason. The single-serving treats take well to intricate decorations as well as to unusual, even outlandish, flavor combinations. Bacon and coffee, anyone?
Hoodline rounded up Charlotte's most popular cupcake sellers, using Yelp data and our own methodology, to help you decide where to spend your cupcake dollars on National Cupcake Day on Dec. 15.
Choose wisely.
1. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Topping the list is Nothing Bundt Cakes. Located at 601 S. Kings Drive in Myers Park, the bakery, which offers desserts, cupcakes and more, is the highest rated cupcake spot in Charlotte, boasting five stars out of 67 reviews on Yelp.
Nothing Bundt Cakes, which offers a twist on the traditional bundt cake, has more than 300 bakeries in 30 states, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The bakery offers everything from bundtlet towers to bite-sized bundtinis, in flavors ranging from red velvet to white chocolate raspberry. Top off your bundt cakes with its signature frosting of cream cheese and butter.
Yelper Anna M. said, "So good! How are their cakes so moist? If you're a cake/cupcake lover, you have to give this place a visit. I had the chocolate chocolate chip and it was delicious."
2. Fumanchu Cupcakes
Next up is Elizabeth's FuManChu CupCakes, situated at 826 Lamar Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 89 reviews on Yelp, the bakery has proven to be a local favorite.
You won't find traditional cupcake flavors at FuManChu CupCakes. Owner Andy Jackson draws his culinary inspiration from music, alcohol and ingredients, according to the bakery's website.
On the menu, expect to find boozy cupcakes with flavors ranging from peppermint schnapps to tequila to whiskey. Nonalcoholic cupcakes can be found in flavors of French toast and salted caramel. Other sweet treats include pound cakes and chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies.
Michael B., who reviewed it on Dec. 1, wrote, "Their cupcakes are amazing! Most of them are infused with alcohol after they are baked. It's great how you can taste the alcohol in every bite. It's a little different then your typical cupcake, but the flavors are amazing!"
3. Suárez Bakery
Then there's Freedom Park's Suárez Bakery, located at 4245 Park Road, which is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the bakery, which offers cupcakes, doughnuts and more, four stars out of 219 reviews.
Baking from scratch for more than 25 years, Suárez Bakery offers a diverse selection of cupcakes, pastries and bread offerings, according to its website.
On the cupcake list, look for flavors of vanilla bean, chocolate, red velvet and vanilla fudge. Additional flavors are added seasonally. For other sweet treats, look for brownies, doughnuts, cookies, bars, pastries and more.
Javier L., who reviewed it on Oct. 15, said, "Love this place. The desserts are awesome, good tres leches cake, very good cupcakes and some awesome pan Cubano! The team was pleasant and parking wasn't an issue. No complaints, only compliments."
