Cupcake report from the OC

Got a report from Julie this week, see below, but I had to do a double take when I saw that Babycakes had opened in CA. You know, I just love the one on the lower east side in NYC. I was already planning my trip south to visit one of my favorite bakeries over the holidays! But...as it turns out, it is another cupcakery running by the same name. Hmmm...will see how that pans out in the future. In the mean time, here is Julie's report:

Went to a new cuppie shop today - called "babycakes" in Mission Viejo mall. Not very inspired aesthetic (well, it is in the middle of a food court) but they had one unique feature that I appreciated: each of the $3 behemoth cupcakes could also be purchased in a $1 baby size. Meaning you can buy and try a bunch. Or buy a small one for a toddler child and not have to worry about a screaming sugar fit afterwards. Or buy a small one for a tired mom who need a sugar pick-me-up but without a million calories. It's also a very nice idea if you don't like the cuppie you bought - you're not wasting so much.

We tried two - baby got a double chocolate - cake was good but the frosting - bleh. Tooth achingly sweet. They had a very dark red velvet, but then they also had something I haven't seen before: a Black Velvet. Hello, cupcake world? Time to get on that train, right? All the chocolate flavor of a Red Velvet, but no Red Dye No. 40 to give us all brain damage. Even better - the Black Velvet was topped with cream cheese frosting. Too sweet but still - GREAT combination.

I'm interested to see if this business makes it in the mall setting. I saw a lot of people walk up and order one mini-cupcake, but did not see anyone take home a box of them, the way you see at Sprinkles and whatnot. I can't imagine they can sustain a business in a high-end mall by selling a few buck cupcakes each day.

One buck cuppies to go with your Two Buck Chuck? Now that's how we party in the OC my friend...