With a combination of fluffy sponge, luscious frosting and oh-so cute packaging, cupcakes are fast becoming our favorite dessert. Small enough to finish by yourself, but big enough to satisfy the munchies, these mini treats work for almost every occasion from a spot of afternoon tea to a birthday celebration or wedding reception.
Cream by Café de Tu
2/F, Chamchuree Square, Phayathai Rd., 08-1809-9353. MRT Samyan
The flagship of restaurant/bakery Café de Tu, Cream rolls out a variety of cupcakes (B80-120) in a modish sapphire setting under the theme “map of Cream nation.” All the cakes are named after various cities, such as Munich Munch (chocolate cake with cream frosting and chocolate biscuit) and Cambridge Burnt (vanilla cream custard).
Try this: Best-selling NYC Origin combines fluffy red cacao cake with rich buttercream frosting. Chocoholics, try Antwerp’s Finest, topped with caramel crème and dark chocolate bits.
Cupcake Carousel
G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 08-5612-8605, 08-5833-0886. BTS Siam. www.cupcake-carousel.com
Quality is the top priority of this pioneer cupcake shop. Started by two friends, Jeab and Leng, Cupcake Carousel seeks out the best ingredients to make its individually baked cups (B65-90). Vanilla beans come from Madagascar, chocolate from Belgium and peppermint from America. That’s why it remains a favorite among sweet-toothed regulars and even wins approving nods from celebrities, including lifestyle writer Ploy Chariyaves. Free delivery for a minimum order of B2,000.
Try this: Crowd pleasers include Very Vanilla, Cherry Streusel Coffeecake and Boston Cream Pie which springs a surprise with its custard filling.
Hi-Tim
3/F, Central Chaengwattana, Chaengwattana Rd., 02-954-1722, 02-589-1266, 08-7553-7488. www.hi-timsweet.com
The multi-hued cupcakes (B60-80) at Hi-Tim are the creations of New York pastry chef Tim Butler, so expect American flavors like Red Velvet, peanut butter and M&Ms. There are also a few Thai-inspired options on offer such as pandanus, coconut and Thai tea.
Try this: Some of Hi-Tim’s baked treats are a tad too sweet for our liking, but we do enjoy the Choc Chip and the Strawberry (with fresh sliced strawberries on top). If you want to try a bit of everything, get a set of mini cupcakes (B235 for eight pieces, B285 for 12).
Pandora
5/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-982-5229. BTS Phrom Phong. www.pandorabakeshop.blogspot.com
Thanks to word of mouth, this newcomer has been getting a flurry of attention. Each day, it bakes up almost 30 different varieties of mouth-watering cubcakes (B65-75). But your waist need not fret: Pandora uses sugar-free whipped cream and makes its dough with zero-fat butter, so you can feel a little less guilty sampling its mini treats. The kiosk also provides bake-to-order cupcakes (two days advance notice required). Delivery is available with a minimum order of B2,500 or else you pay a B200 charge.
Try this: We love the luscious Red Velvet with rich cream cheese frosting and the moist Dutch Chocolate with gooey chocolate fudge topping.
