BabyCakes NYC Cupcakes Opens in Los Angeles
It’s official. On Sunday, January 3, 2010, BabyCakes NYC opened its doors for business in Los Angeles. After hearing the announcement, I was anxious to try the cupcakes. The BabyCakes L.A. retail store is located at 130 East 6th Street, which straddles downtown’s Gallery Row and the Garment District.
Frankly, I expected BabyCakes NYC to set up shop in the Westside ‘hood of L.A.’s Cupcake Central. On a weekday, the freeway traffic from Orange County to Los Angeles can take as long as two or more hours. Therefore, It made sense to venture up to L.A. on a Sunday afternoon to avoid traveling the road to hell on the 5 Freeway also known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The drive was uneventful, but parking in downtown was challenging. However, finding downtown street parking is difficult on any day of the week. Lot parking is readily available, but can get pricey. Fortunately, I located a parking spot about four blocks from the shop. At first impression, the BabyCakes storefront is easy to overlook. It is easy to spot once you know it’s next door to Cole’s, the landmark L.A. French Dip eatery.
A steady flow of customers filled BabyCakes. Everyone was happy to see BabyCakes open for business and eager to order their favorite treats. There were donuts, cookie sandwiches, brownies, loaves and of course, the famed BabyCakes cupcakes.
BabyCakes is a health conscious bakery committed to “all-natural, organic and delicious alternatives free from the common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs.” BabyCakes is now certified Kosher, parve and vegan.
The cupcake menu is available as spelt and gluten-free. Spelt is sold as dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free. Gluten-free is sold as gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free. A spelt cupcake is $3.25. The gluten-free is $3.95. A bit higher in price than the average cupcake, but these are not average cupcakes. BabyCakes does not use refined sugar. Agave nectar is substituted as a sweetener in most of their baked goods. The rest of their products use unrefined evaporated cane juice.
I love Vanilla cupcakes so my choice was a no-brainer: A vanilla cupcake with vanilla icing. I was expecting a bland cupcake. but pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. BabyCakes does not sell “sugar free” or unsweetened cupcakes. They sell cupcakes sweetened with a healthier alternative. No refined sugar is used at BabyCakes. You can learn more about BabyCakes’ ingredients HERE.
The customer service at BabyCakes is excellent. When asked if I wanted a “spelt or gluten-free” cupcake, I was clueless. Despite a long line of customers, a server kindly took the time to inquire if I had wheat allergies and patiently explained the difference. She recommended the spelt. Another plus, the staff didn’t object to picture-taking, which seems to be an issue at some cupcakeries. Opening day was “cash only,” but Debit and Major Credit Cards will be accepted when the credit card terminal is activated.
The store has indoor and outdoor seating. Local delivery service is available. BabyCakes also ships via Federal Express. Orders are taken weekdays during daytime business hours. The choice of location may seem questionable but it appears to make good business sense. The area is surrounded by converted lofts geared towards a young professional buyer. Weekdays brings thousands of people into the corporate towers and arts, fashion, flower and jewelry districts that populate downtown. The neighborhood has few established cupcake shops save for Big Man Bakes and Blue Cupcakes at Lot 44. BabyCakes is an established brand with a unique cupcake/baked goods menu. The only other “Sweet Shop” within walking distance is an Asian dessert bar, which does not sell cupcakes.
You can learn more about BabyCakes NYC owner Erin McKenna in her online interview by Gwyneth Paltrow and try your hand at some of her favorite cupcake/cookie/teacake recipes HERE.
