Hit Birmingham’s cupcake trail for the ultimate 4PM sugar rush

Reading time: 5 minutes

Sweetz, Trussville
Sweetz in Trussville is ready for your afternoon sugar rush. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

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

Adored Sweets
So decadent. Photo via Adored Sweets’ Facebook

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

Ashley Mac's
Mini cupcakes are the ultimate afternoon treat. Ashley Mac’s. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

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

Locations
Hours

3. CakEffect

CakEffect
Gorgeous from cake to frosting. Photo via 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

Dreamcakes
Dreamy cupcakes from Dreamcakes. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

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

Edgar's Bakery, cupcakes
Strawberry sweetness from Edgar’s Bakery. Photo via Patience Itson for Bham Now

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

Locations
Hours

6. K&J’s Elegant Pastries

K&J's Elegant Pastry
Fruity cupcakes for the win. Photo via K&J’s Elegant Pastries’ Facebook

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

Nothing BundtNothing Bundt Cakes
Can’t go wrong with carrot cake. Photo via 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

Olexa's Cafe, Cakes & Catering
Olexa’s offers cupcakes for every occasion. Photo via Olexa’s Cafe, Cakes & Catering’s Facebook

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

PastryArt
Easter’s coming in cupcake form. Photo via Pastry Art’s Facebook

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

Real & Rosemary, cupcakes
A new take on cupcakes… cake cups. Photo via Real & Rosemary’s Facebook

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

Savage Bakery
Simply irresistible. Photo via Savage’s Bakery’s Facebook

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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Patience Itson
Patience Itson
Articles: 1754