The Cake Courtesan

The Cake Courtesan in Bowie, MD

Location: The Cake Courtesan 6926 Laurel-Bowie Rd Bowie, MD
Flavors: Vanilla, Key Lime, Split Decision and Monkey Business
Cost: $2.75
Score: 4


Outfitted in gold and silver filigree, The Cake Courtesan is a cake-lovers dream. Despite being inaccessible by metro, its Bowie, MD location is car friendly with abundant parking. Having opened its doors a few months ago after closing down in Annapolis as Nostolgia Bakery, owner Sharon White eagerly shows off her cake designs which, I would pit against master baker Ron Ben Israel any day. 

The Cake Courtesan display case and register

At only $2.75 a pop, I've found myself making 3 trips in less than two weeks. The first time, I went on a whim and walked out with the Monkey Business cupcake. The Monkey Business cupcake is a banana cake with a vanilla buttercream frosting topped with chocolate drizzle and nuts. I enjoyed the banana cake although I found it a bit stiff leaving the luscious and frothy frosting to balance it out.

The Cake Courtesan's Wedding Consultation Station

On my second visit, I arrived five minutes before closing and was stuck with a left-over vanilla on vanilla cupcake. It had great flavor and the vanilla buttercream frosting was flavorful but understandably, the texture was a bit dense as it was approaching expiration. I can't hold that against them.

On my last attempt, I got the yummy key-lime cupcake and, ironically, the Split Decision cupcake. I reference the irony because the clerk (whom I discovered was Myra Weston of Myra's Popcorn Palace in Annapolis) patiently waited as I combed through the wide selection of cupcakes finally arriving at the  Split Decision cupcake.

Key-Lime and Vanilla Cupcakes 

The Split Decision cupcake is a chocolate and vanilla marble cake with chocolate and vanilla swirled buttercream frosting. Think of it as your favorite chocolate and vanilla swirl ice cream cone in cupcake form-Yeah, that good! By the time I got home and ate the key-lime cupcake, I was pleasantly surprised at the genuine flavor and layer-cake like texture. I cut the cupcake in half to save it for later but later came within ten minutes. I wanted to get another but was too embarrassed to make two trips in one day. I'm now waiting for the weekend. 

The Monkey Business Cupcake

Overall The Cake Courtesan is a welcomed addition to the community and after many prayers and would-be-deals with God, I felt that he had heard my cry. With each visit the store clerks were more than patient and very efficient at getting me in and out. Further in each cake you could taste the diligent approach to baking and the craft itself. Despite having a heavy presence of chocolate on their menu, the variety is there and there is something for everybody. 

Olivia’s Cupcakes

Location:  Olivia’s Cupcakes 2318 Minnesota Ave. S.E., D.C. 

Flavors: Strawberry, Chocolate with Vanilla frosting and Red Velvet

Price: $2

Score: 3.5

“The cupcake disparity is a real issue but how do we overcome it?”

Olivia’s Cupcakes is a first in what I am hoping to be a trend: cupcake shops opening in predominately African-American neighborhoods. Walking into Olivia’s you are immediately greeted with factors beyond their control: crime, poverty, and lack of employment. Despite acting as a solution, you can’t blame them for installing triple thick, bullet-proof glass. Let me elaborate.

(Photo courtesy of Olivia’s Cupcakes)

Housed in a purple brownstone, Olivia’s Cupcakes looks like fairytale princess land. Outfitted in pink princess awnings, glitter wands and a crystal chandelier, it’s an adolescent girl’s dream. I was a bit jealous of the little girl waiting with her mother to discuss having her party in their princess room. What I wasn’t jealous of, was their long wait time only to be told the person that they needed to speak to wasn’t available.

Photo courtesy of HBO/The Wire

Although Olivia’s Cupcakes is metro bus accessible, driving there would be ideal. I decided to drive and found plenty of parking across the street. Making my way up the spiraled stairs, I saw potential cast members for the HBO drama, ‘The Wire’, standing in line for cupcakes. Recognizing my surroundings, I knew two things:

1. I needed to get in and get out.

2. The Critic is mad bourgeois

Olivia's Cupcakes Chocolate with Vanilla Frosting

At only $2 a pop I was eager to indulge all my cupcake fantasies. However once I got to the window to order, I was met with the dreaded “Ain’t no mo…” Their website boasted 8 daily flavors but that day only 4 were available. Luckily the line wasn’t long but the two teenaged girls working behind the counter were doing so in tandem versus assembly-line style. Ideally one would handle the money while the other bagged cupcakes. Nonetheless they were super sweet and a bit overwhelmed so I overlooked it.

Strawberry Cupcake from Olivia's Cupcakes

Once I made it back to my car I sunk my teeth into the chocolate cupcake which was Billie D. Williams smooth (Colt 45 Days) and Phillip Drummond rich. Equally rich was their red velvet cupcake. Moist and draped in cream cheese frosting, Olivia’s Cupcakes turned me into a believer! Finally, I managed to grab my all-time favorite cupcake: strawberry frosting on strawberry cake which may sound redundant but Olivia’s made it all worthwhile.

Red Velvet Cupcake from Olivia's Cupcakes

Overall Olivia’s Cupcakes is a venture that I want to succeed. Neighborhoods like Minnesota Avenue are often depraved of eateries (and resources) that others can take for granted. Their cupcakes are awesome and their shop is a sight to behold. Hopefully they will tweak what is within their control so foodies like me don’t mind overlooking what isn’t in their control. Besides, Georgetown can’t have the lock on diabetes and obesity.

Cakes Plus

(L-R): Chocolate w/ vanilla frosting, Vanilla and Red Velvet

Cakes Plus

Location: 3325 Corridor Marketplace Laurel, MD

Flavors: Red Velvet, Vanilla on Vanilla, Chocolate on Vanilla and Lemon.

Price: $1.25

Score: 4

Located in Laurel, MD, it was not uncommon to see a line out the door for cupcakes from this discrete yet commercial bakery. Known for their lavish wedding cakes, I first heard about Cakes Plus in 2007 while attending a Bridal Showcase. For three consecutive years, Cakes Plus was deemed my official birthday cake bakery. Each year guests would pile their plates with cake while I fought for the left-overs. 

Vanilla Cupcake

Walking in, don’t expect to be barreled over with cheeriness; Cakes Plus keeps it simple. No long lines just fast, efficient and cost-effective service which is their hallmark. It’s been a while since I last visited so I was happy to see that they have increased their flavor choices from four to six. I purchased four of their six flavors: red velvet, lemon, vanilla and vanilla-on-chocolate.

More Lemon cupcakes

The vanilla cupcake is classic and by far my favorite. I can’t say enough about it other than they keep it simple, uncompromising and sweet; kind of like your first boyfriend. It borders between a Saturday afternoon baking project and commercial expectation. Next up was the vanilla on chocolate whose flavor was perfect and the cake moist. The vanilla frosting, which graces each of the cupcakes, was a bit commercial but it complimented the chocolate cake.

Happy to try their new flavors, the lemon cupcake is flavorful in its own way offering delightful and unpretentious. Don’t expect it to burst with citrusy flavor however do expect it to satisfy your craving for a lemon-based cupcake. Finally, the red velvet cupcake hits the nail on the head. The actual cake is the perfect blend of rich chocolate and red velvet flavor.

Although it’s not metro accessible per se, (the nearest metro station would be the Greenbelt station or the MARC train. From there you have to take the bus), they are conveniently located for suburbanites between Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George’s Counties. Further for $1.25, you get more than your money’s worth.

*Originally published on 10/19/2011

Fresh Bakery: Arundel Mills Mall

Kiosk cupcake display/ chandelier

Location: Fresh Bakery 7000 Arundel Mills Circle Hanover, MD

Flavors: Lemon, Pina-Colada, Vanilla on Chocolate

Cost: $3.50

Score: 3.8

Recently, I was given a tip from the cupcake-loving community to check out Fresh bakery; a Maryland based bakery with kiosks in Arundel Mills, Columbia and Owings Mills Mall. Feigning to hit up the new Coach store, I sojourned to Arundel Mills Mall. Located between the food court and TJ Maxx, I accidentally walked past the small vendor’s cart. Decorated with an elaborate chandelier and small jewelry boxes housing cupcakes, their décor was attractive but didn’t shout- "Cupcakes are sold here”.

Photos courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Photos courtesy of Fresh Bakery

It was a Sunday and at the end of the day so I was concerned about the selection and freshness. The cashier assured me that the goods were baked fresh that morning. Circling the kiosk I saw chocolate on chocolate, vanilla on chocolate, orange dreamsicle, lemon on lemon, pina colada and red velvet. I went with my standards: lemon, pina colada/coconut and vanilla on chocolate. My treats were housed in a simple plain white box and much to my chagrin, no pretty bag or memento.

Prior to leaving the parking lot, I tore into the pina colada cupcake which would be my favorite of the bunch! The cupcake was rich with a moist texture that was flavorful but not overpowering. The cake and the frosting didn’t fight one another but worked in harmony. Although I detected a hint of Betty Crocker box cake mix that had been doctored up, they still got my vote for the “this could have been baked in my grandmother’s kitchen” (and no one’s cupcakes will ever compare to the ones prepared in my grandmother’s kitchen).

Photo courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Photo courtesy of Fresh Bakery

Next up was the chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. I really enjoyed this cupcake as the chocolate was rich and the frosting was, as Charlie Sheen would say, ‘Winning’! I didn’t do the ‘Dougie’ but perhaps a mild Kappa shiver was in order. Finally the lemon cupcake was fresh and well, exciting (cue Kool & the Gang). Moist in texture but big on flavor without overpowering itself, and frosting that would have you wondering: “Why didn’t I get two?”

Regarding their customer service, I could only expect so much from the young lady who waited on me. It was the end of the evening and I was buying cupcakes from a kiosk in the mall. So the fact that she was on the phone for most of the transaction doesn’t really speak to the customer service but to the fact that I was buying cupcakes at a kiosk in an outlet mall. Further for $3.50 a pop and no swag bag for my loot with hints of boxed cake, I can’t give them a full 4 but may find myself back.

PS: Did I mention that their cupcakes are square? I know, cute right?