We all know what it’s like to crave a little something, but with so many cupcake bakeries sprinkled throughout Melbourne’s CBD, how do you know which one will satisfy your sweet tooth?
To help make your decision a little easier, City Journal visited four of Melbourne’s most popular cupcake franchises and taste-tested the signature cupcake flavor – red velvet* – and here’s our verdict.
*For the record, a traditional red velvet cupcake is made up of a red or brownish red cake made from cocoa, buttermilk, butter and flour, topped with cream cheese or buttercream frosting.
FYI: All cupcakes tested were $4 each (standard size).
JOY Cupcakes
Shop E7B, Southern Cross Lane
Exhibition Street Melbourne
Opening times: Mon – Fri 7:00am – 6:00pm
The bar is set quite high for JOY because they sell themselves as “Melbourne’s best cupcakes.” Just on appearances, their red velvet looks great; the icing to cake ratio is a satisfying 1:1, but after cutting into the cake with my fork, I noticed it’s quite brown, which is disappointing as I expected a vibrant scarlet.
The cake is bouncy, quite tasty and all around nice, but it doesn’t really persuade me to buy another one. The frosting is definitely finger-licking delicious but has a distinct buttery taste rather than the traditionally slightly sour cream cheese.
However, I do give JOY extra points for also offering vegan and gluten free red velvet cupcakes.
Overall: 3/5 cherries on top
Cupcake Central
Level 2, Dining Hall,
Melbourne Central,
City VIC 3000
Opening times: Mon – Thurs 10:00am – 7pm, Fri 10:00am – 9:00pm
, Sat & Sun 10:00am – 6:00pm
As soon as I arrive at Cupcake Central, the first thing I notice is the long queue. I make a mental note; if you have to line up for them they must be good, and I can confirm their red velvet is worth the wait.
The cake was light, fluffy and moist, and a gorgeous vibrant red. It tastes delicious and I’m tempted to get another one. The only (minor) criticism is that you don’t get to eat the entire cake; a lot of it sticks to the patty pan.
The icing was so cream cheesy and yummy, and piped in a generous dollop, which was topped with little red heart sprinkles. This is a cupcake that I would be happy to Instagram!
Overall: 4 ½ / 5 cherries on top
Little Cupcakes
Shop 7 Degraves St
Melbourne 3000
Opening times: Mon – Fri 8:30am-5:00pm, Sat – Sun 9:30am-5:00pm
After placing my order, the cupcake arrives on a gorgeous little vintage plate, which I appreciate; I like that this bakery feels like a café rather than a shop.
The cake is topped with a big dollop of icing and admittedly, it’s not that pretty, but the little red star sprinkle on top is a cute touch. The icing is firm and thick, but nice and creamy. It also has a strong (but not in a bad way) cream cheese flavor and is quite delicious.
As for the cake, it’s a nice shade of red and while it’s dense, it’s absolutely delicious. I’d definitely go back for afternoon tea if I’m in Degraves Sreet, plus they also offer a vegan option for their red velvet.
4 / 5 cherries on top
The Cupcake Bakery
Shop GD 006 Melbourne Central
211 La Trobe St, Melbourne
VIC 3000
Opening times: Mon – Thurs 10:00am-6:00pm, Friday 10:00am-9:00pm, Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 10:00am-5:00pm
The Cupcake Bakery’s red velvet is easily the brightest red colour out of all the other cupcakes I’ve tried, but it’s also thick, dense and quite heavy to eat.
The icing saves this cake though; the frosting is whipped, light and distinctly tastes of buttercream, but because it’s been whipped so much it has holes in it that tarnish the look of the cake. It’s topped with a single big red heart sprinkle, which looks pretty, but doesn’t really taste of anything.
It wasn’t the best looking cake and not the best tasting, but okay overall.
2 ½ / 5 cherries on top
Want a little something? Visit the cupcake bakeries we reviewed as located below.
View Cupcake Crawl in a larger map
What is your favourite flavour cupcake? Let us know in the comments below!
