This weekend, I was visiting Washington, DC and had planned to try cupcakes from 3 bakeries - CakeLove, Georgetown Cupcake, and Baked & Wired. But time was short and these bakeries are not like ones in New York with long hours. They were open from 11-4 or 12-5. Well, save for Georgetown Cupcake - like many who've tried to go there, I found it closed an hour and a half before it was supposed to be. Helpful hint: It's not a good business practice to stay open only until "we run out of cupcakes." Bake more!
Thankfully, nearby was Baked & Wired, a lovely little shop with some pretty big cupcakes. At $3.50 each, they better be. I was told that their flavors rotate - I tried all 5 on offer on Sunday: vanilla/vanilla, vanilla frosting/chocolate cake, strawbrry, coconut, and carrot cake.
inside the carrot cake cupcake
They were all delicious, though probably the vanilla/chocolate and coconut were my favorites. The strawberry was wonderful if you're really into strawberry. The cake was moist and did indeed have strawberries in it and the frosting was pretty intense. The vanilla buttercream frosting was amazing, but the vanilla cake was a little crumbly, the chocolate was excellent. I'm not the biggest carrot cake fan generally, but this one I found myself reaching for seconds for. (On a non-cupcake note, I also recommend the apple caramel bar and the peanut butter brownie, but the cupcakes were better overall, though I may be biased in that regard.)
They also had some fabulous cupcake art by Dana Ellyn on the walls:
See my full Flickr set from Baked & Wired here
Comments
i also happen to know that Baked and Wired is MUCH better than Georgetown Cupcake. Seriously, how are they closed all the time? all they have to do is make cupcakes. On top of that, their cupcakes taste so...generic...nothing special for $2.75.
For me, a Georgetown student, Baked and Wired's cupcakes take me right back home except even my mom can't compete with them! You should definitely try their lattees too...perfect to go with any cupcake!
Another thing that makes me a Baked and Wired fan is their service. They are all so down to earth, friendly, and thoughtful! Not to mention they make a damn good cup of coffee! The owner is the friendliest of all. Definitely a breath of fresh air in this city.
Happy Cupcaking!!!
I like B&W's setting, though - definitely friendly and relaxed!
I'd rather support a business that's owned by a local who has strong ties to the community.
Baked and Wired and Georgetown Cupcake are totally different concepts and can't really be qualified as competitors because Baked and Wired is more of a one cupcake at a time kind of place as you drink your coffee and GC is more like buy a dozen, take them home, and share. GC has more flavors and selection because that is their main source of income, Baked and Wired's main source of income is drinks. People need to stop cupcake bashing these stores because they are both small companies that are doing well, employing students, and satisfying the sweet tooth of the DC community. GC is still relatively new and trying to work out the kinks, Baked and Wired has been around longer... they are both good and remember cupcakes should make people happy and not be a source of conflict or bashing. Get over it and go to both depending on your craving, you want a cupcake and to sit down, relax and enjoy it while surfing the web with a coffee go to Baked and Wired, you want them for dinner or to bring home to your family or just one in hand to walk with go to Georgetown Cupcake. Georgetown Cupcake also presents a prettier product.
Both businesses are quality in service and product.
Also remember GC just opened a few months ago and they are working out the kinks that come with any new business... I mean lately there have been very short lines and an availability of flavors. They aren't running out anymore, they stay true to their hours, and their staff is really friendly!
Good luck to both businesses, they can thrive together.