A cupcake bakery is a business that specializes in selling many varieties of cupcakes. As opposed to other types of bakeries that may sell a variety of baked goods such as bread, muffins, pastries, cakes, or cookies. A cupcake bakery typically only sells cupcakes, along with hot beverages such as coffee or tea. Cupcakes and cupcake bakeries are increasing in popularity, and some people even create their entire wedding cake out of cupcakes.
A cupcake bakery will usually offer cupcakes in any imaginable flavor, far beyond the familiar chocolate and yellow cake staples. Some popular flavors might include lemon, strawberry, red velvet, raspberry, carrot, or peanut butter, just to name a few. The icing generally comes in many different flavors and colors as well, to suit any taste or occasion. Different types of icing might include whipped cream, butter cream, fondant, or cream cheese frosting. Some cupcakes have a filling inside them as well
Cupcakes are often decorated for special events such as holidays, birthdays, or anniversary celebrations. Some cupcake bakeries allow customers to decorate their own cupcakes with sprinkles, sugar flowers, or other sweets. A cupcake bakery may also personalize cupcakes for their patrons, with a specially chosen decoration, picture, word, or theme. Cupcakes found at cupcake bakeries are often much larger than the cupcakes one might make at home, and the price is likely higher as well.
Most bakeries will sell cupcakes individually, or at a discounted price for a larger order. It is best to request a large order of cupcakes in advance, so the cupcake bakery can have them all ready to go without depleting their stock for walk-in customers. A batch of cupcakes for a wedding will likely be very expensive, but the bakery will typically be happy to provide any customization that the couple requests. For instance, a couple could theoretically have multiple tiers of cupcakes at their wedding, with many different flavors and individual decorations.
In addition to the cupcakes offered at a cupcake bakery, most offer customers hot or cold beverages. These might be sodas, iced teas, or other flavored drinks, in addition to hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and apple cider. A cupcake bakery is often more similar to a coffee shop than a bakery, and may encourage customers to stay and relax, read a book or magazine, or work on a laptop. A gift basket of cupcakes and delicious coffee can make a great holiday gift for just about anyone, and cupcake bakeries are great places to find fresh, homemade treats.