Move over New York City, there's a new cupcake capital licking at your heels - Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
It didn't take long after Dubaians watched Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City devouring the confection at the legendary Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan, before they were seduced by the sweet charms of this children's party favourite. Now, residents have two delicious stores (with one more in the works) and a sprinkling of home bakers to choose from to satisfy their dessert cravings.
Sugar Daddy's Bakery, The Village Mall, Jumeira
Set in a 1950s retro-style ambience, this outlet is a franchise of Sugar Daddy's from Amman, Jordan, whose founder was a devoted fan of Magnolia Bakery while at culinary school in New York. Owned by Dana Jallad in Dubai, the cupcakes have funky names like Fake Blonde (vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting), Tanned and Toned (chocolate cupcake with caramel frosting) and 24 Carrot (carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting). To maintain authenticity, the cakes are baked fresh daily in-store and are frosted by hand. The bakery also sells a range of cakes, cheesecakes, cookies and pies. Call +971 (4) 3448204.
Must try: Red Velvet cupcake
Kitsch Cupcakes, Villa 611, Jumeira Beach Road
This funky cupcake 'bar' concept is the brainchild of childhood friends, Dalia Dogmoch and Racil Chalhoub. Following special homemade recipes, the cupcakes are whipped up from ingredients imported from the US and France and include favourites like Red Velvet with cream cheese icing and Double Vanilla (vanilla cake with vanilla icing). Says Dalia: "We only bake with the best quality products to ensure that our gourmet cupcakes are perfected and meet the expectations of cupcake connoisseurs from around the globe." Call +971 (4) 3956963.
Must try: The Kitsch Cupcake (chocolate cupcake with praline icing)
Scrumptious
Inspired by the cupcake revolution in the UK, this home-run business was started in October 2007 by Anna Hayworth, a former food product developer for Marks and Spencers. Using only the highest quality ingredients like free range eggs and Swiss chocolate, she bakes cupcakes in three different sizes - cute (bite-sized), fairy (medium-sized) and indulgent (muffin-sized) - to order. You can indulge in the goodies at the Covent Garden Market at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, every Friday until the end of March or order directly by calling Anna. The chocolate brownies are also worth a try. You can contact her through the website or call +971 (50) 7356268.
Must try: The chocolate and vanilla cupcakes
The Sweetest Thing
Just six months old, The Sweetest Thing grew out of owner and founder Ninie Desa Reudink's love for baking. Although her menu includes just chocolate and vanilla treats, it's her customised designs that make her cupcakes stand out from the rest. Expect clown faces, flowers or even cartoon characters like Winnie The Pooh depending on the theme you have in mind. Reudink bakes cupcakes in a mini (minimum order 30) and maxi size (minimum order 12) and prefers to speak directly to the customer when an order is placed so she can conceptualise exactly what they want. Check out her website for contact details or call +971 (50) 9029489.
Must try: The chocolate and vanilla cupcakes
Sugarbox
Owned and run by Emirati Mimi Alq, Sugarbox has a wide selection of cupcakes that can be customised for the occasion, be it Eid, Christmas or Halloween. Flavours include Devil's Food cake with marshmallow frosting, date cake with cream cheese frosting and saffron cupcakes. All products are home-baked to order. Sugarbox also has a creative portfolio of desserts, cheesecakes, chocolates and celebratory cakes. Orders can be placed via e-mail or phone. Log on to sugarboxtreats.blogspot.com for contact details and product pictures. Call +971 (50) 9088886.
Must try: Decorated baby shower or cartoon character cupcakes
Sprinklez
This company added to their fan following after distributing generous portions of their famed cupcakes at Taste of Dubai 2009. Following the motto of, 'designed to be admired, made to be devoured', the company offers a variety of light flavoured sponges that can be topped with one of their delectable frostings that range from marzipan to chocolate ganache. A Sprinklez cupcake 'boutique' will be opening at Business Bay Waterfront Avenue soon. Until then, orders can be placed by e-mail or calling them. Log on to www.sprinklez.ae or call +971 (50) 2697902.
Must try: Vanilla cupcake with jam filling
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