Husband Does Cupcake Work in Chicago

Last week my husband and I celebrated our four-year anniversary! Problem: my husband was in Chicago for business. I knew he would be gone during our anniversary so I made him promise that he would bring me back a cupcake.

And just my luck, Cupcakes Take the Cake was hosting an unofficial cupcake summit in Chicago during the same weekend my husband was in Chicago. How did he get all of the cupcake luck this month?

Friday morning I saw a post on Cupcakes Take the Cake that Rachel would be visiting Swirlz Cupcakes in Chicago for a free mini cupcakes event. I immediately emailed the info to Skyler (my husband) in hopes that Swirlz would be near where he was staying. When I picked him up for the airport late Saturday night, he had cupcakes in hand, along with pictures and a story. Here's his adventure:


After attending a Cubs game at the famous Wrigley field, Skyler had about an hour of free time before he had to catch his flight home. Being the sweet husband that he is, he stopped by Swirlz Cupcakes (only two miles from Wrigley field) to get some cupcakes to bring home to me.



Swirlz was giving away free cupcakes to celebrate their three-year anniversary and Rachel's (from CTTC) visit. My husband sampled almost every flavor! He had Snickers, Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle, Vanilla on Chocolate (vegan gluten-free), Carrot, Chocolate Chip (gluten-free), Chocolate Peanut Butter (vegan gluten-free), and Red Velvet.

While vegan or gluten-free cupcakes are not usually his top choice in cupcake flavors, Skyler actually thought those cupcakes were some of his favorites. Making cupcakes with non-traditional ingredients is no easy task and bakeries that can pull it off are few and far between.


Skyler got a chance to talk with one of the owners, Pam. She gave him the low-down about their cupcakes. Swirlz Cupcakes uses a whipped Italian buttercream for the frosting on their cupcakes. They also had special toppers on their cupcakes in honor of Rachel's visit. The toppers were pieces of white chocolate with the Cupcakes Take the Cake logo.


Skyler called me on his way to the airport to tell me that he made it to Swirlz Cupcakes and told me about the cupcakes and the flavors he tried. He then told me that he met someone special. I couldn't imagine who he would have met, except....Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake! I couldn't believe it! He has the photo evidence to prove it.


Just like he promised, Skyler stepped out of the airport carrying two cupcakes!! I can't believe how well they survived the flight across the country (the containers were perfect)! I got to try Banana Split and Red Velvet.

The Banana Split was a vanilla cupcake filled with banana cream, layered with bittersweet chocolate ganache, topped with strawberry buttercream, toasted pecans, and a cherry-flavored flower. I'm really into banana in cupcakes lately. This cupcake definitely held up the trend, especially paired with the chocolate ganache. Yummy!

The Red Velvet cake was good. Like I mentioned before, it had a whipped Italian cream cheese buttercream frosting. Whipped frosting is not my favorite (I like the heavy, creamy kind), but this frosting was good.


Overall, Swirlz Cupcakes tastes and sounds like a great cupcakery! Skyler said the staff was super nice and he really enjoyed his visit. I especially like that they have so many choices of vegan and gluten-free cupcakes. You can also check out Rachel's photos of her visit and interview of Swirlz head pastry chef on Cupcakes Take the Cake.

If you are ever in the Chicago area, you must stop by:

Swirlz Cupcakes
705 W. Belden
Chicago, IL 60614