Hit Birmingham’s cupcake trail for the ultimate 4PM sugar rush
Reading time: 5 minutes
The taste, decorative appearance and fun size. Not to mention that generous dollop of sweet frosting. Cupcakes have the IT factor. To satisfy that 4PM slump, hit the Birmingham cupcake trail for the ultimate sugar rush. It’s worth every bite.
1. Adored Sweets
Looking to turn on your happy switch? Then cupcakes from Adored Sweets is your go-to and they’re just as delightful as the shop’s name.
Choose between classic flavors like vanilla or triple chocolate and specialty flavors like banana pudding and peachy cream.
Winning Flavor: Lovely Lemon
Price: *One dozen minimum order per flavor | Mini – $18+ | Regular, $27+ | Jumbo, $4.50 each |
Where: Adored Sweets, 1865 Pebble Lake Dr, Birmingham, AL 35235. *By Appointment Only.
Hours: Tues-Fri, 10:30AM-4:30PM | Sat, 9AM-3PM
2. Ashley Mac’s
Cupcakes are cute, but mini cupcakes…well they’re just adorable. For a bite-sized treat that is sure to please, grab an assorted half dozen of mini cupcakes from Ashley Mac’s. You can never go wrong with strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.
Winning Flavor: Chocolate
Price: Mini half dozen, $6
3. CakEffect
With signature flavors made with the freshest and most saporous ingredients, CakEffect gives cupcake fans something to scream about.
You can be adventurous at this shop. Since flavors change seasonally, there’s always something new to try.
Winning Flavor: Chocolate Coma
Price: Standard: Single, $3.75 | 1/2 Dozen, $21 | Dozen, $41
Mini: Single, $1.50 | 1/2 Dozen, $9 | Dozen, $18
Where: 1021 Brock’s Gap Pkwy, Ste 109, Hoover, AL 35244
Hours: Tues-Fri, 10AM-6PM | Sat, 10AM-4PM
4. Dreamcakes
For that magic in your mouth experience, Dreamcakes has it. From fruity to chocolatey and everything in between, don’t be surprised if you go back for seconds.
Winning Flavor: Caramel Sea Salt Mocha
Price: Single, $3.75 | 1/2 Dozen, $21 | Dozen, $41 | Standard Dozen (not decorated), $33+
Mini Cupcakes: Single $1.50 | Half Dozen, $9 | Dozen, $18
Where: 960 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM
5. Edgar’s Bakery
No matter which dessert you choose from Edgar’s Bakery, there’s no doubt your eyes will close in delight at first bite. So when that cupcake urge strikes, head to your nearest location STAT.
Winning Flavor: Strawberry
Price: Single, $2.25 | Dozen, $27.50
6. K&J’s Elegant Pastries
How would I describe K&J Elegant Pastries? With one word—wow! Designer Chef Kristal Bryan definitely found her calling creating custom cakes and Kollosal Milkshakes. But for me, it’s this shop’s gorgeous cupcakes that keep me going back for more.
Winning Flavor: Assorted Fruity Cupcakes
Price: Contact for pricing.
Where: 236 1st St S, #300, Alabaster, AL 35007
Hours: Tues-Fri, 10AM-7PM | Sat, 10AM-6PM
7. Nothing Bundt Cakes
If you love cupcakes, then you’ll love the miniature bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Charmingly named “bundtlets”, they’re similar to cupcakes due to their petite size, moist caky goodness and slather of sweet frosting on top.
Winning Flavor: Carrot Cake
Price: Single, $4.50 | Dozen, $49.50
Where: 310 Summit Blvd Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35243 | 3780 Riverchase Village Suite 600, Hoover, AL 35244
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10AM-6PM; Sun, Noon-6PM
Website
8. Olexa’s Cafe, Cakes & Catering
I went on a wedding cake taste test at Olexa’s Cafe, Cakes & Catering once. Let’s just say I’ve never gotten over how incredible it was. They had the perfect texture, the perfect moistness and the perfect sweet to fluffy ratio. When you can’t order an entire cake, opt for the next best thing—cupcakes.
Decorated cupcakes are available in store. Custom cupcakes are made to order.
Winning Flavor: French Vanilla
Price: Standard, $2.50+ | Specialty, $2.75+
Where: 2838 Culver Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11AM-2PM
9. PastryArt
Pastry Art Bake Shop may be known for their beloved Baby Bites, but their cupcakes are just as delicious. Baked from scratch by the dozen, they even come in the same delicious flavors as Baby Bites.
Winning Flavor: Chocolate Espresso
Price: Contact for pricing. | Available by the dozen in mini, medium, and large.
Where: 1917 29th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35209
Hours: Tues-Fri, 9AM-5PM | Sat, 9AM-3PM
10. Real and Rosemary
Say hello to the new version of the cupcake—the cake cup. Available at Real & Rosemary, order this decadent dessert in strawberry, caramel, chocolate or red velvet.
Winning Flavor: Red Velvet
Price: $3.50 each
Where: 1922 29th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35209
Hours: Tues-Sun, 11AM-8PM
Website
11. Savage’s Bakery
Made from scratch and simply adorable, cupcakes from Savage’s Bakery are perfect for any occasion, including that afternoon sugar rush.
Order cupcakes with standard smooth icing, with a dash of season sprinkles or swirled for an extra dose of frosted goodness.
Winning Flavor: Strawberry with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Price: $19.80 per dozen
Where: 2916 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM | Sat, 9AM-5PM
Website
12. Sweetz
Sweetz is one of my favorite hidden gems in Trussville. Not only is the shop charming inside and out, but its desserts are fabulous too. Cupcakes come in a range of flavors like vanilla, coconut and Italian Cream. Yum!
Winning Flavor: Peanut Butter
Price: Single, $3 | 1/2 dozen, $16.50 | Dozen, $32.50
Where: 110 Glenn Ave, Trussville, AL 35173
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 1-6PM | Fri-Sat, 1-8M
Website
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