(food)Review: Sprinkles Cupcakes

Clockwise from left: vanilla, strawberry, red velvet, raspberry (seasonal)

Now these babies really don't need an introduction. Sprinkles is probably the most popular cupcake place in the Bay Area due to their size, taste, and founder's popularity. They're on my top 10 list for cupcakes (which only has maybe 6 stores on it, but I won't tell if you won't), and my number 1 for cupcakes in a drivable distance.

I like Sprinkles for two reasons: one, their sprinkled vanilla, and two, their frosting. Almost every other cupcake place in the area has frosting that's either too soft, melty, or messy. Sprinkles' frosting is firm, flavorful, and complements the cake perfectly. The only thing I don't like about them is their dot decoration on top, which is edible but tastes like a communion wafer made from Playdoh.

Their sprinkled vanilla is probably my most favorite cupcake ever -- it has all the textures you could possibly want and they don't clash at all. The sprinkles are pleasantly crunchy, the frosting is thick and delicious and the cake is firm but tender. Their other flavors are always pretty good as well, and each month they rotate with 2 seasonal flavors, though sometimes I think their red velvet is just a little too sweet and a little too red...

(No, I won't make a Pinkamena reference.)




Sprinkle's direct competitor in this area is Kara's, and for the life of me I cannot understand why. I have had Kara's Cupcakes twice, and twice I have been disappointed. Their frosting is nondescript, but their cake is disgusting, dry, and crumbly. I always see people in Kara's and I just wonder at how they can settle for less-than-average cupcakes, even if they're conveniently located in yuppie central-I mean, Santana Row. Hopefully I have convinced you, dear reader, not to settle for less.

Overall: 9/10 big cupcakes, big flavor, big love
Pinkie's rating: sleeping off a sugar high

Sprinkles Cupcakes official website