Is it just me or can you just never have enough cupcakes? Anytime I go to a bakery I end up ordering at least 3 because I can’t just try one! These cupcake artists and small businesses are musts when it comes to yummy and unique cupcakes.
Frosted n’ Iced by Tina Conway
I’m sure you could guess by the catchy and adorable name that Frosted n’ Iced is a local cookie and cupcake business! Located in the neighborhood of Green Tree, this business was founded by Tina Conway to “bring strength and happiness to people.” Tina is not only the founder but the baker and cookie designer for this small business. Frosted n’ Iced offers custom order goodies as well as holiday bundles! There are themed offerings just in time for Valentine’s Day! Purchase a Cupcake Gift Set for only $12 or the so crazed Hot Chocolate Bombs in a Valentine’s theme for $20. The cupcake set features 2 vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting and 2 chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, all with strawberry filling, MMMMM.
Liv Off Cake
A cute pun was the direction this pastry chef took when naming her business. Olivia, or Liv, started her career in baking when she worked at Nemacolin as a Pastry Chef Apprentice. She obtained her degree and became a certified working pastry chef working for Pittsburgh’s very own Oakmont Bakery. Liv now specializes in gourmet cupcakes, floral cupcakes, and cupcake cakes. Her standard cupcakes start at $15 a dozen and her filled dozen starts at $24. She takes orders for personalized cupcakes and cakes for any and all occasions! Need a rustic wedding display or gender reveal cupcakes? Liv will make it happen. She will even pick up colored/themed balloons for the gender reveal so it’s a surprise for everyone!
Le Cupcake Shoppe
This boutique cupcake shop started in 2012 as Pittsburgh’s very first mini cupcakery. The owner Alexandra, grew up and started her business in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh. With a passion for baking with her mother at a young age, she has created her business with the idea of giving her customers the “old fashioned, custom style” that goes along with a locally owned business. Le Cupcake Shoppe offers a gourmet mini dozen for $12 and gourmet full-sized cupcakes for $36 per dozen. Each week they offer 15-20 different flavors from their menu including Chunky Monkey, Tiramisu, Coconut, and Java Chip. If you’re interested in a flavor on their list that they don’t have in store that week, you can special order with a minimum of one full-sized dozen or 3 dozen of minis!
Kara Kakes Pittsburgh
Pastry Chef, Kara Leo is the owner of Kara Kakes operating out of Mount Lebanon. The most notable factor about Kara Kakes is that they are allergy-conscious and are peanut and tree nut-free! This makes Kara Kakes perfect for any group gathering. Their pricing for standard cupcakes is $1.75 each. Specialty cupcakes come in at $2.75 each and custom cupcakes start at $3.00 each. Seasonal cupcakes are featured at their storefront as well as weekly specials. Keep an eye out for their new cupcake flavors like Chocolate Mint Swirl and Bananas Foster pictured on their Instagram!
A unique service Kara Kakes offers is to host baking parties! If you’re looking for an allergy-conscious activity for a group, hit them up. An option they have available is for a Kids’ birthday party. This package includes your choice of cupcakes/cut-out sugar cookies/mini cakes, piping bags filled with various colors of buttercream, custom/edible decorations, chef hat and colorful apron, and a personalized goodie bag. Let’s be real though, as an adult I’d love to do that! Shoot them an email or give them a call for pricing.
Chatty Cupcakes
Our very own Food Network Cupcake Championship winner, Chatty Cupcakes owned by Ella Mae, is located at the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon! This gourmet cake and cupcake shop offers divine and intricate designs and is the perfect spot to place a special order. Uniquely themed cupcakes fill their Instagram feed and website! Harry Potter, Christmas ornaments, farm animals, and fairy tales are just some of the themes created on these miniature canvases. The coolest thing about this bakery is its exclusive Automated Cupcake Machine. Yep, you heard that right…a CUPCAKE VENDING MACHINE! With inspiration from family recipes and European techniques, this bakery is a must-visit!
Flour & Sugar Cakery
This gourmet cupcake shop is located north of Pittsburgh in Seven Fields and brings the heat when it comes to handcrafted sweets. From seasonal favorites like Apple Pie and Chocolate Peppermint to classics like Almond Torte and Red Velvet, each cupcake is made BEAUTIFULLY. Flour & Sugar Cakery has a rotating list of cupcake flavors so be sure to check their social media or website to stay in the know. Pre-ordering is highly recommended, but they also take walk-ins during their store hours Thursday-Saturday. You can score a half dozen of cupcakes for $16.50 and a dozen for $30. The owner, Andrea states that she is committed to using only high-quality ingredients in her delicious cupcakes such as Madagascar Vanilla and Belgium Chocolate. Wow, count me in!
Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, I’m sure you can agree these cupcake artists and small businesses are crushing the cupcake game. Remember it’s always okay to treat yourself every once in a while to a sweet treat!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.