Sprinkles v. Society Bakery

Cupcakes, the most convenient, cute, and courteous of  cakes, have been a favorite of mine for a long time. I even attempt to bake them myself every once in a while for both my own pleasure and putting smiles on others. Put this carefully-decorated, bite-size cake in front of a grump, and see that person instantly transform. Cupcakes make people happy.

For this reason, I am forever on the hunt for the perfect cupcake. Luckily for me, Sprinkles Cupcakes decided to grace Dallas with its store in 2007. I’ve been getting cupcakes there for a long time, and am rarely disappointed. Though the store is cramped and constantly crowded, it gives a feeling comprable to a kid waiting to open his presents Christmas morning. When I finally get my brown box of delight, I can’t wait to devour them. Red velvet continues to be my favorite. Beautiful and tasty.

Then I heard about Society Bakery and how it’s been a rival of Sprinkles since the history of Dallas cupcakes. “It’s the BEST cupcake in Dallas,” I would hear. I had to see for myself. The early closing time was the first disappointment, but I decided to come back and give the cupcakes a chance. I wasn’t impressed with the presentation, but decided to read the book before I judged it. I bought a box of eight to ensure a decent variety.  When it comes down to the most important factor, taste, I regret to report, I was wholly disappointed. The frosting was light, more like a whipped cream than a thick frosting should be. The red velvet cake tasted a bit cinnamony. I don’t remember that being an ingredient. And I would’ve appreciated the novelty if it had worked, but it didn’t. The chocolate wasn’t so bad, but Sprinkles still has it beat there. The only one I do like better is the strawberry.

Both places charge about the same price (Sprinkles $3.25, Society Bakery $2.95), but if I’m going to pay anything for cupcakes, I’d like some that didn’t look and taste like I made them myself.