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