Here's our final cupcake interview of 2007...many more to come in 2008! Also note that Happy Cakes is offering champagne cupcakes for New Year's on a limited basis - see their site for details and also check out their cupcake photo gallery for gummi bear cupcakes and more!
L to R: Sara Bencomo, Laura Reynolds, Lisa Herman
Name: Sara Bencomo, Lisa Herman, Laura Reynolds
Age: 34, 29, 36
Location: 3815 W. 32nd Avenue Denver, CO 80211
Occupation: bakers/owners
URL: www.happycakesdenver.com
How and when did you come up with the idea for Happy Cakes, and how long after that did it take for you to
open? Why did you decide to focus exclusively on cupcakes?
Sara and Laura came up with the idea in August 2006 after visiting other cities that had cupcake bakeries that were wildly successful. Meanwhile, Lisa was working on a cupcake bakery business plan for her MBA at that very same time. We all met (via our hairstylist) in December 2006 and decided to form a partnership. Our first paid party was January 2007 and we launched our virtual bakeshop in March 2007. Our bake-to-order business grew and grew via word of mouth driving us to look into a retail location. Finally on December 7, 2007 we opened Happy Cakes Bakeshop. Cupcakes only because it works, right?! People go nuts for them, and so did we.
Did you get your recipes from family or friends, or did you start from scratch?
We started with recipes from family & friends, old cookbook recipes we loved, some we found online...now that we've been doing it a while, many are our own creation born of random inspirations! And every recipe we have has been adjusted for the altitude...that was our biggest challenge in our test kitchen.
You just had your official grand opening; what’s been the reaction so far?
Amazing...we're in a great neighborhood who has really embraced us. People squeal when they walk in, they're so excited. Denver doesn't have anything like us...a dedicated cupcake bakery. And they're loving it! We've had a lot of press coverage and are excited to see what's next!
What was the cupcake scene in Denver like before you opened?
Pretty nonexistent. Some larger bakeries do offer cupcakes, but it's not their specialty.
You offer all sorts of flavor combinations, from Orange Creamsicle to Jack and Coke to Strawberry Pretzel and Caramel Apple, offered on a rotating basis (with a few daily mainstays). Which flavor(s) seem to be the most popular so far? Which did you have the most fun creating?
While the fun flavors are intriguing to people, and they do sell, the classics are the most popular - Happy Together (vanilla on chocolate) is our best seller. Red Velvet is a hot number two. We'd have to say the most fun we had creating a flavor was the Jack & Coke. We were going to a Kentucky Derby party and Sara came up with the Bourbon buttercream as a fun adult treat. We topped a simple vanilla cupcake with it and people devoured it. We started thinking about what would be a perfect pairing to better set off the yummy frosting and the Jack & Coke (chocolate Coca-Cola cupcake) was born.
Some of your flavors, such as the Cosmo and Jack and Coke, involve alcohol (vodka-soaked cranberry cupcake for the Cosmo and bourbon buttercream for the Jack and Coke). What prompted these adults-only treats?
See above... :)
We like to drink, and eat cupcakes.
Do you have plans to introduce any new flavors?
Yup! We have so many great ideas and recipes in our 2008 recipe book. Our plan is to change our menu seasonally or even monthly to offer new flavors. We've had 6 holiday flavors on the menu for December, and in January we'll be unveiling our New Year's flavors.
For the Trendy Cupcake Sale and Contest for Charity on December 13th, you selected your French Toast cupcake
as the one to enter. Why did you pick this one, and is it your favorite?
We love this flavor! It's an unexpected flavor in a cupcake, one that we haven't seen any other bakeries doing. The French Toast cupcake has been a bit of a sleeper hit, people are now coming in on Thursdays specifically to get a French Toast (or 12). We chose to submit it for the contest because we wanted to put something out there people could come get in the shop, not something elaborate created just one time for a contest. It's hard to say that we have a favorite...we really love them all!
Your bakery got its name from Sara’s 2-year-old son Alden calling cupcakes “Happy Cakes.” Do you think
kids react differently to or appreciate cupcakes in a different way than adults?
Yes. Adults are charmed because they have the fond nostalgic memory of cupcakes...there's a giddiness about them when they check out all the flavors.
Kids are just fascinated to see this whole counter full of so many different kinds of cupcakes. They can't believe their eyes! And we have little step stools down in front of the counter for them to get up close for a peek. They are way into the sprinkles, too. If we have the time, we'll often let the kiddos pick their own sprinkles and top their own cupcake. We have little ones at home and know what they like, so we've brought it here.
You also do catering for weddings, parties, book clubs, corporate functions, etc. How long in advance should someone place an order? Do you prefer to get their input on flavors and arrangements, or be given free reign?
We ask for at least a couple weeks for large events, though approaching wedding season more time will be required to secure dates, as we'll book up. For smaller events, 72 hours should be enough notice. In planning an event, we like to set up a consultation with the the hosts to determine their tastes and discuss what kind of customization they want for their cupcakes. We'd love to go free reign, but typically people know what they want. We'll offer suggestions to make every event special!
What’s the most fun event you’ve catered so far?
We love doing weddings and other larger events, but the most fun was a sweet 16 party we did in November. Ever seen My Super Sweet 16 on MTV? Yeah. It was that.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part about running Happy Cakes?
Favorite...people's reactions, creating new treats, the decorating, having our very own place!
Least Favorite...early mornings/late evenings, we miss our kids, husbands and dogs!
And now for some personal questions…
How often do you eat cupcakes?
Not as often as everyone thinks.
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
Really? You have to ask?
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
We truly have a hard time answering that. Today, I'll say Peanut Butter Cup, but really they're all super delicious!
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
We're huge fans of baked goods, of course. But not much can top the cupcake.
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
Heck no. (Unless it could bake itself at 5am.)
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
For now, we bake ourselves. We're hiring though! Send us an email if you are interested, and a morning person.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
School cake walks...the cupcakes always went first!
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
My husband would be mad if I shared that. Sorry.
L to R: Sara Bencomo, Laura Reynolds, Lisa Herman
Name: Sara Bencomo, Lisa Herman, Laura Reynolds
Age: 34, 29, 36
Location: 3815 W. 32nd Avenue Denver, CO 80211
Occupation: bakers/owners
URL: www.happycakesdenver.com
How and when did you come up with the idea for Happy Cakes, and how long after that did it take for you to
open? Why did you decide to focus exclusively on cupcakes?
Sara and Laura came up with the idea in August 2006 after visiting other cities that had cupcake bakeries that were wildly successful. Meanwhile, Lisa was working on a cupcake bakery business plan for her MBA at that very same time. We all met (via our hairstylist) in December 2006 and decided to form a partnership. Our first paid party was January 2007 and we launched our virtual bakeshop in March 2007. Our bake-to-order business grew and grew via word of mouth driving us to look into a retail location. Finally on December 7, 2007 we opened Happy Cakes Bakeshop. Cupcakes only because it works, right?! People go nuts for them, and so did we.
Did you get your recipes from family or friends, or did you start from scratch?
We started with recipes from family & friends, old cookbook recipes we loved, some we found online...now that we've been doing it a while, many are our own creation born of random inspirations! And every recipe we have has been adjusted for the altitude...that was our biggest challenge in our test kitchen.
You just had your official grand opening; what’s been the reaction so far?
Amazing...we're in a great neighborhood who has really embraced us. People squeal when they walk in, they're so excited. Denver doesn't have anything like us...a dedicated cupcake bakery. And they're loving it! We've had a lot of press coverage and are excited to see what's next!
What was the cupcake scene in Denver like before you opened?
Pretty nonexistent. Some larger bakeries do offer cupcakes, but it's not their specialty.
You offer all sorts of flavor combinations, from Orange Creamsicle to Jack and Coke to Strawberry Pretzel and Caramel Apple, offered on a rotating basis (with a few daily mainstays). Which flavor(s) seem to be the most popular so far? Which did you have the most fun creating?
While the fun flavors are intriguing to people, and they do sell, the classics are the most popular - Happy Together (vanilla on chocolate) is our best seller. Red Velvet is a hot number two. We'd have to say the most fun we had creating a flavor was the Jack & Coke. We were going to a Kentucky Derby party and Sara came up with the Bourbon buttercream as a fun adult treat. We topped a simple vanilla cupcake with it and people devoured it. We started thinking about what would be a perfect pairing to better set off the yummy frosting and the Jack & Coke (chocolate Coca-Cola cupcake) was born.
Some of your flavors, such as the Cosmo and Jack and Coke, involve alcohol (vodka-soaked cranberry cupcake for the Cosmo and bourbon buttercream for the Jack and Coke). What prompted these adults-only treats?
See above... :)
We like to drink, and eat cupcakes.
Do you have plans to introduce any new flavors?
Yup! We have so many great ideas and recipes in our 2008 recipe book. Our plan is to change our menu seasonally or even monthly to offer new flavors. We've had 6 holiday flavors on the menu for December, and in January we'll be unveiling our New Year's flavors.
For the Trendy Cupcake Sale and Contest for Charity on December 13th, you selected your French Toast cupcake
as the one to enter. Why did you pick this one, and is it your favorite?
We love this flavor! It's an unexpected flavor in a cupcake, one that we haven't seen any other bakeries doing. The French Toast cupcake has been a bit of a sleeper hit, people are now coming in on Thursdays specifically to get a French Toast (or 12). We chose to submit it for the contest because we wanted to put something out there people could come get in the shop, not something elaborate created just one time for a contest. It's hard to say that we have a favorite...we really love them all!
Your bakery got its name from Sara’s 2-year-old son Alden calling cupcakes “Happy Cakes.” Do you think
kids react differently to or appreciate cupcakes in a different way than adults?
Yes. Adults are charmed because they have the fond nostalgic memory of cupcakes...there's a giddiness about them when they check out all the flavors.
Kids are just fascinated to see this whole counter full of so many different kinds of cupcakes. They can't believe their eyes! And we have little step stools down in front of the counter for them to get up close for a peek. They are way into the sprinkles, too. If we have the time, we'll often let the kiddos pick their own sprinkles and top their own cupcake. We have little ones at home and know what they like, so we've brought it here.
You also do catering for weddings, parties, book clubs, corporate functions, etc. How long in advance should someone place an order? Do you prefer to get their input on flavors and arrangements, or be given free reign?
We ask for at least a couple weeks for large events, though approaching wedding season more time will be required to secure dates, as we'll book up. For smaller events, 72 hours should be enough notice. In planning an event, we like to set up a consultation with the the hosts to determine their tastes and discuss what kind of customization they want for their cupcakes. We'd love to go free reign, but typically people know what they want. We'll offer suggestions to make every event special!
What’s the most fun event you’ve catered so far?
We love doing weddings and other larger events, but the most fun was a sweet 16 party we did in November. Ever seen My Super Sweet 16 on MTV? Yeah. It was that.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part about running Happy Cakes?
Favorite...people's reactions, creating new treats, the decorating, having our very own place!
Least Favorite...early mornings/late evenings, we miss our kids, husbands and dogs!
And now for some personal questions…
How often do you eat cupcakes?
Not as often as everyone thinks.
What's the best thing about eating cupcakes?
Really? You have to ask?
What's your favorite type of cupcake?
We truly have a hard time answering that. Today, I'll say Peanut Butter Cup, but really they're all super delicious!
How do cupcakes compare/contrast to other baked goods for you?
We're huge fans of baked goods, of course. But not much can top the cupcake.
Is there any innovation you'd like to see made to the cupcake that would improve it for you?
Heck no. (Unless it could bake itself at 5am.)
Do you bake your own cupcakes? Or (even better) have someone who bakes them for you?
For now, we bake ourselves. We're hiring though! Send us an email if you are interested, and a morning person.
What's your first cupcake-related memory?
School cake walks...the cupcakes always went first!
What's the most fun you've ever had with a cupcake?
My husband would be mad if I shared that. Sorry.
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