The Best Cupcakes In Chicago, Illinois

Although it’s a relatively new establishment in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, Maddiebird Bakery should be on everyone’s sweet tooth radar. Maddiebird is named after owner Michele McAtee’s daughter, and the cupcakes are just as sweet and cute as the name implies. Custom-ordered cupcakes come beautifully decorated and are what make this bakery especially memorable. The handmade fondant pieces are intricate and detailed. They transform the simple dessert into a veritable work of art. Some past designs include the Chicago skyline, a realistic replica of a hamburger, and a plate of Thanksgiving dinner. The flavors are classic and simple, ranging from coconut to chocolate salted caramel, and the taste is impeccable.

You’ll certainly want more cupcakes when you visit this boutique in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. More is known for crafting stylish and inventive cupcakes, using specialty ingredients to create original flavor combinations. These include amaretto coconut, chocolate bourbon, and bacon maple. Try their signature valrhona cupcake topped with unbelievably silky chocolate ganache. Or, sample their punchy cocktail flavors like mojito or margarita. If you can’t choose just one, they have an option of ordering a flight of six small cupcake “moresels.”

A winner of Food Network’s hugely popular Cupcake Wars series, Molly’s Cupcakes certainly lives up to the hype. It creates truly delectable treats deserving of accolades. What truly sets Molly’s cupcakes apart are their fillings, which complement the flavors of the cake and frosting perfectly. They are often made with fresh fruit ingredients. You can always find interesting gourmet flavors daily, as well as a selection of rotating seasonal flavors. Some of these include pumpkin spice in the fall and lemon meringue in the spring. Try their peach cobbler cupcake, filled with a fresh peach puree and topped with a light, fluffy cloud of whipped cream. In addition to selling delicious baked goods, Molly’s donates a portion of their profits to local schools in the community.

A regular fixture in the Lincoln Park neighborhood for nearly a decade, Swirlz Cupcakes has stood the test of time by consistently offering elegant artisan cupcakes that delight everyone who stops by. Their flavors are bright and bold, offering a fun and whimsical twist on classics, such as the lemon knot cookie and the chocolate caramel pretzel. Drop in to try and guess what their daily surprise cupcake is, a flavor not often featured in the regular menu. Swirlz also offers gluten-free and vegan options. In addition to their storefront, you can also find their cupcakes in retail stores like Whole Foods Market and Green Grocer.

Largely believed to be the bakery that first started the cupcake trend, Magnolia Bakery is world-renowned for its baked goods and vintage decor. There is a reason that this franchise originating in New York has garnered such fame. The location in Chicago has continued to produce first-class cupcake treats. Although deceptively simple, the flavors are rich and decadent and are guaranteed to satisfy your sugar craving. Particularly notable are the frostings, which manage to be creamy and light without being overly sweet.