The Absolute Best Cupcake Shops In The U.S.

Buy a dozen in lieu of a cake, bring a selection to the office to sweeten everyone's day, or grab a single one when you need a little pick-me-up. Whatever the occasion, the answer should always be cupcakes. What came about as an individual pound cake sometime in the 18th century, per Food Timeline, has since expanded into a billion-dollar industry. From classics done well (vanilla and buttercream frosting, anyone?) to an infinite number of variations you'll unfortunately never have the time to try, cupcakes deserve to be in the spotlight.

Nowadays you can find these handheld cakes all over, in supermarkets, cafés, bakeries, and let's not forget at birthday parties. However, dozens of shops countrywide specialize in only selling these miniature cakes, and you can bet that their creations go above and beyond. Aside from cupcake-only bakeries, a number of spots focusing on baked goods are doing a commendable job making the portion-sized treats. Cupcake lovers — get ready to plan the ultimate sweet tooth trip across the country. And for anyone who's stuck with the taste of stale cupcakes and dry frosting from a poor rendition from their distant past, clear the cache and start off fresh thanks to our list of the absolute best spots in the U.S. to get your cupcake fix.

Cupcake Bakery in Minnesota knows that people like to have options, so a variety of assorted packs are available on the menu. Decide whether you need the ultimate, premium, or gourmet selection and prepare to savor every last morsel. Per its website, the bakery has been experimenting with flavors, toppings, and fillings since 2004, so you can guarantee that the 50 or so choices taste of pure perfection. Classics stay on the menu and seasonal spins are regularly in the works, meaning that you'll always have a different cupcake to sample when you stop by.

Premium cupcakes come with a filling, and you're looking at mouthwatering combinations like chocolate caramel, vanilla white chocolate, triple chocolate, and dulce de leche with vanilla. The gourmet category is missing a surprise on the inside, but these cupcakes are no less delicious. Try chocolate cream cheese, cookies and cream, or chocolate peanut butter. Anyone with gluten sensitivity knows how hard it can be to find baked goods that are worth it, and Cupcake Bakery has the recipe down. Try raspberry chocolate, strawberry lemonade, or lemon sunshine and you might never search elsewhere. As for the vegan cupcakes, creative flavors abound: Oreo and sweet mint, salted nut, or vanilla latte are up for grabs.

While it seems unimaginable today to think of a time with no cupcake shops, when Cupcake Royale opened in Seattle in 2003, it was the first bakery of its kind to set up shop outside NYC. This is Seattle, so you can bet that the fresh daily baked cupcakes are served with some of the best java around. Community commitment is at the forefront of the bakery's principles, and apart from sourcing all of the ingredients regionally, it also makes regular donations to local non-profits. Enjoy a cupcake and be confident that it's contributing to something greater; what more can you ask for?

An emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients means that new and exciting cupcakes are always being made. Plus, creatively themed assortments are on the menu in case you need a box of cupcakes with dog, cat, alien, or football designs to bring to an event. The baker's choice assortment is certainly a tempting proposition (especially for the indecisive among us), and a vegan box makes it easy to keep dietary restrictions straight.

The flavors are enticing enough to make you order a selection: salted caramel, lavender, tiramisu, cherry chocolate cheesecake, and chocolate hazelnut crunch are obvious choices. Or else, try the Fluffernutter (vanilla cake with marshmallow fluff and peanut butter), Peppermint Party (mint buttercream on a chocolate or vanilla cupcake), or let loose with a Dance Party (vanilla buttercream and cake with confetti).

We love being able to get our favorite cupcakes across the country, and apart from having locations in eight states, Sprinkles ships nationwide. Since 2005, the bakery has been making cupcakes and other sweet treats for its satisfied customers. The value of a cupcake should not be underestimated, and Sprinkles works with community organizations and projects to share some of that sweetness with everyone. Regular customers will love the loyalty program which compensates you with a free cupcake after you reach a certain amount of points.

The cupcake menu is filled with tempting options (gluten-free and vegan too!), and flavors available for a limited time keep it exciting. Among the bestsellers, chocolate lovers need to taste the Belgian dark chocolate cupcake with dark chocolate frosting and sprinkles. Other guaranteed favorites are strawberry (cake and frosting), black and white (dark chocolate cake with vanilla frosting), and red velvet. Triple cinnamon, carrot, and banana cupcakes add plenty of variety, and the gluten-free or vegan red velvet will keep everyone content.

With two locations in Virginia, Buzz Bakeshop is satisfying the local sweet tooths with its tempting selection of baked goods. The bakers will happily cater to any occasion — how about a cupcake decorating party? You could enjoy one of Buzz Bakeshop's savory breakfast offerings, a hearty muffin, or the assorted desserts, but a cupcake is obviously a must. While you're at it, you'll probably have to bring home a variety to try a variety of the tasty flavors on the menu.

Classics like vanilla, red velvet, and chocolate are obvious places to start, and coffee lovers will definitely want to save some space for the specialty buzz cupcake (chocolate cake with espresso buttercream). As for the gourmet options, s'mores, cookies and cream, and lemon cake will keep you coming back for more. Yelp reviewers praise the moist cupcakes, noting that they don't cross the delicate line of being overly sweet. One new customer even called them "life-changing," adding about the bakery, "I wish I didn't know you existed, cause now I think about you all the time." Loyal fans describe them as being "truly decadent," so get ready for a well-deserved treat!

It's been almost 20 years since business school friends Marc and Wayne co-founded Billy's Bakery in NYC. Now, with three locations in Manhattan, the bakery is busier than ever feeding the neighborhood sugar fiends. The menu is extensive with breakfast pastries, cookies, cheesecakes, pies, and cookies among the selection. It doesn't stop there; various DIY Kits let you decorate your own treats so you can feel like you're partaking in some of the artistry.

As for the cupcakes, classics like chocolate and vanilla are on offer, but you'll want to expand your palate. You can't go wrong with bourbon salted caramel, red velvet, and chocolate peanut butter, or for something fruitier, try lemon raspberry or banana Nutella. Billy's also has an assortment of unique creations for special occasions such as the King's Cake for Mardi Gras: a cinnamon cupcake with cream cheese frosting. For the indecisive, the Crowd Pleaser combines vanilla and chocolate batter into a single cupcake with marbled icing. If you want to have a say, discuss custom options with the baking team to design your dream cupcake.

Although Gigi Butler, the name behind Gigi's Cupcakes, is no longer at the helm, this bustling bakery has franchises across the country. That means that each location has its own specials and unique flavors, inspired by the local community. What do they have in common? A towering swirl of creamy frosting, perfectly paired with the flavors of every cake. If you're all about the icing then you'll love the fact that there's no skimping here. Custom cupcakes are welcome, and Gigi's is ready to cater weddings, birthdays, and any celebration where a sweet treat is on the menu.

Speaking of which, Gigi's menu showcases classic and seasonal flavors, so don't worry about getting bored. The flavors are fun and creative and these cupcakes are total showstoppers. Try lemon champagne for your bubbly fix or enjoy the Lovella (Nutella and strawberries). Or, skip the Nutella and try a strawberry shortcake cupcake for a fruity snack that also comes in a gluten-free version. Chocoholics need to try Midnight Magic, chocolate salted caramel, or cookies n' cream — all are good bets.

The Flying Cupcake Bakery in Indianapolis has graced many best cupcake lists since opening in 2007. If you like savoring a cupcake as a small or larger snack, you'll love the fact that the treats come in mini, regular, and a signature jumbo size. Plus, classic and daily flavors keep the selection wide (over 60 choices!), and vegan, gluten-free, and custom options are all available. If you're planning an event, you'll want to reserve one of the bakery's two food trucks (cutely named Petunia and Penelope), and if you're anywhere else in the continental USA, the bakery even ships!

The cupcakes even have fun names, and you might want to enjoy a Breakfast Club Mimosa (champagne cake with orange buttercream and edible pearls) followed by a Bart Simpson (chocolate cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting and Butterfinger). ET Phone Home is a great choice for anyone who loves Reese's, and if you're all about the coconut then say it loud and clear with a jumbo KooKoo for Coconuts. Staff favorites include black raspberry truffle and Fluffernutter (cake filled with marshmallow cloud buttercream, topped with peanut butter fluff, more marshmallow buttercream, and a Nutterbutter cookie to finish it off).