Chicago Cupcakes

While Chicago may pale in comparison to NYC in terms of the abundance of cupcake shops, there are a few pretty amazing ones here. While Sprinkles IS delicious, it's not local...so I didn't include it on the list (but the cupcakes are still worth trying).

My hands-down favorite local cupcake bakery is Molly's. It's located at 2536 N. Clark St. I believe the owners opened a bakery in NYC (but it started in Chicago)! The shop is modeled after a retro candy store/ice cream parlor. It's a great place to sit and enjoy a cupcake, but beware! The location is extremely close to DePaul's Lincoln Park campus, so it's usually packed. My favorite is the center-filled Ron Bennington. It's a chocolate cake with peanut butter filling, chocolate ganache, and butterfinger bits.

Another favorite of mine is Phoebe's Cupcakes at 3327 N. Broadway Ave. Their Red Velvet cake is one of the best. The frosting leaves a bit to be desired...but the cake ACTUALLY feels like velvet on your tongue. They are also famous for their Breakfast Cupcake, which they describe as "Maple soaked buttermilk cake with a maple butter frosting topped with crispy bacon." Sounds like an amazing way to start the day!

My last recommendation is a little more adventurous. If you feel the need to hunt down your cupcake, I suggest following the Flirty Truck's Twitter feed. With a selection of delicious flavor combinations and cute names, these cupcakes are worth the hunt. I've tried The McDream (far right corner), a chocolate cake with cream cheese and chocolate filling.

Are you hungry now? Because I am....