How to Find Cupcake Bakeries in Boston

Lulu's Cupcakes

Cupcake-only bakeries are a new trend in dessert shops. Cupcakes are a great alternative to a slice of cake because the have less calories and are smaller than a regular cake slice. Everyone loves cute cupcake creations, and with bakeries all over Boston selling cupcakes, it is easy to find these delicious treats.

Instructions

1. Go north. The North End, Boston's Italian section, hosts a dozen bakeries within a small area. Lulu's Bake Shoppe on Hanover Street claim that they have the best homemade cupcakes in the city. The recipe for the butter cream frosting comes from the owner's family. They also make a number of specialty cupcakes, including Hostess-like cupcakes with frosting in the middle and a squiggle line on top. Lulu's isn't the only place on Hanover Street that sells cupcakes, and with world-famous bakeries such as Mike's and Modern right down the street, you may want to shop around before settling on one cupcake place.

2. Go south. The South End, another section of Boston, also has a number of different bakeries that sell cupcakes. However, there isn't a cupcake-only shop here, but you do have a number of different options. The cupcakes at the South End Buttery are winners of the best cupcake award. Their cupcakes are a favorite of locals because they are delicious and because a portion of the proceeds of each cupcake sold is donated to local animal rescue causes. Other bakeries to check out here are Stella Cafe and Francesca's Cafe.

3. Go to the Back Bay. Sweet Boston is a gorgeous cupcake parlor on Massachusetts Avenue right next to Boston University. Opened in May of 2008, their cupcakes received a lot of press in the local media. They offer miniature cupcake sizes for you to taste all of their flavors.

4. Check out the Boston metro area. Party Favors in Brookline stands out. You can get there using Boston's "T" system on the green line. This party superstore wins awards for their cupcakes and cakes almost every year. The whimsical cupcakes are made on the site in the kitchen below (you can see them making the cupcakes from a window in the store). The cupcakes are stacked high with frosting made into your favorite cartoon characters or Red Sox mascot. Kickass Cupcakes in Somerville is also amazing.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring cash, since many places don't accept credit cards.

• Get recommendations from friends they always know the best places.

• Shop around some places are really expensive and other are really cheap.

• Use the link below to find directions to the shops discussed in this article.

Resources

• Cupcakes in Boston