Does Orange County Know Its Cupcakes?

Each year the Orange County Register puts out a survey to find the Best (blank) of Orange County. On Friday the 2008 edition of Best of Orange County was published. Surprisingly, there was a section called Best Cupcakes. So where do Orange County residents think the best cupcakes are? I was amazed at the answer!

First Place: Sprinkles Cupcakes
I can agree with this one! Sprinkles puts out some amazing cupcakes! I have expressed my love for their Red Velvet many times. Along with their great tasting cupcakes, Sprinkles gives you the experience of a gourmet cupcake. They make their cupcakes feel special and worth the price tag of $3.25. See my latest review of them here.

Second Place: Wonderland Bakery
I was not expecting to see this bakery on the list. My friend brought me a cupcake from here a few months ago and it was just ok. Nothing great and definitely not worth the most expensive price tag of $3.75. Their store feels like you are in a fairytale with toys and glitter everywhere. The cupcakes almost seem like a side note in the store.

Third Place: Beverly's Best Bakery
Funny thing is that I bought my wedding cake from this bakery three years ago, but I never noticed that they had cupcakes. My mom must have known that I hadn't tried a cupcake from here before because when I stopped by her house on Friday night, I found these two treats waiting for me!
I was thrilled to be trying something new! After taking my first bite I realized that these cupcakes were not quite what I expected. The frosting was decent, a light buttercream frosting, and the cake was good, but just average. Then my sister informed me that these cupcakes were only $1.25. Value menu cupcakes!...just like the ones from Poul's Bakery in Orange. Price has a lot to do with the quality of cupcakes. If you want an outstanding cupcake, you will have to pay the price for one. But if a cupcake craving has sprung up on you and you need something to satisfy that urge, a value-priced cupcake will do the trick. Beverly's Best is smart to sell cupcakes, but they aren't ones I will be craving. (My nephew Diego will take any cupcake he can get his hands on!)

SURPRISED! That's how I feel about the Best of Orange County's survey of cupcakes. I can list a handful of cupcakeries and bakeries that have better cupcakes than the second and third place winners. Looks like I need to do my job better and let Orange County know where to find the best cupcakes!