The Cupcake
Blog
Sweet treats for adults this Halloween
Friday, October 27, 2006 | 5:57 PM
By Steve Dolinsky
October 27, 2006 (WLS) — ABC7′s Hungry Hound spans the globe in his search for sweets– from American cupcakes to Australian donuts and scones.
Why should the kids get to hoard the sweets over Halloween? Adults not only have sweet tooths, they’re often somewhat more refined. Two brand-new bakeries offer everything from home-spun cupcakes to the best scones in town.
Who doesn’t love a cupcake every now and then? They certainly put a smile on people’s faces, and that’s the mantra at the brand new Swirlz Cupcakes in Lincoln Park.
“I think people come in and they’re very pre-disposed, but they’re open to try new things; and we’ve done a lot of sampling,” said Margot Chapman, Swirlz Cupcakes.
Ten flavors are on hand everyday; five of which stay the same, including chocolate, vanilla and red velvet. Everything is baked and frosted in-house; there’s also one flavor each day that’s gluten-free – that means no wheat, oats or barley – and an additional sugar-free option. Chapman says despite the popular flavors, customers still want to try something new.
“So people come in and they’ll say ‘I really want red velvet, it’s very nostalgic from my childhood, but I’m gonna try the pumpkin.’”
Over in Humboldt Park, there are several flavors from “down under” at the brand-new Tipsycake on North California, where a custom cake designer is expanding her modest operation.
“We’ve been making custom cakes and pastries for about a year-and-a-half; now we have a small retail storefront, which we’re encouraging people to come in and place orders,” said Naomi Stepanek, Tipsycake.
Original birthday, baby shower and other special-occasion cakes are always on hand, but check out the tiny, focused retail counter up front: brownies, cupcakes and rugelach are worth picking up, including some of Stepanek’s favorites from back home.
“We have lemingtons, which are the Aussie’s equivalent of a doughnut.”
Sponge cake is layered with raspberry preserves…rolled in tons of coconut. For an early-morning treat, do not miss the fantastic scones. They come with the requisite fruit preserves and clotted cream, and Stepanek says they are one-of-a-kind.
“Because they’re made by an Australian, that’s the one recipe that I stick to, and only I know the recipe because it’s all about the texture, and what you put in it and how you make it.”
Two other alternatives for excellent baked goods: the cupcakes at Southport Grocery are out of this world and just about anything from Bittersweet Bakery in Lakeview.
Swirlz Cupcakes
705 W. Belden Ave.
773-404-2253
Tipsycake
1043 N. California Ave.
773-580-8113
Southport Grocery
3552 N. Southport Ave.
773-665-0100
Bittersweet
1114 W. Belmont Ave.
773-929-1100
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