Best of Philly

The Carrot Cake Man

For more than 40 years, Vernon Wilkins, a.k.a. “The Carrot Cake Man,” has blessed West Philly and University City with sweet and fluffy carrot cupcakes topped with a thick layer of cream cheese icing. On rare occasions, they’ll pop up in corner stores, but you’ll most likely find these sweet treats wrapped in cellophane and ready to enjoy at Lee’s Deli on Baltimore Avenue and Four Worlds Bakery on Woodland Avenue. Read More »

Colonial Farms

At a time when cupcakery is becoming not just an overdone art (we'll pass on the chocolate-covered bacon sprinkles, thanks) but a reviled one, Colonial Farms bucks the trend with back-to-basics flavors. The chocolate, vanilla and killer red velvet cakes are adorned with occasionally cutesy icing creations (flowers, frogs, etc.), but the taste hits that just-like-Mom's sweet spot that was always the point of the cupcake's sudden rise to celebrity. Read More »

1108 Taylorsville Road, Washington Crossing, PA | 215-493-1548 | Website

Whipped Bakeshop

We were so busy admiring Whipped Bakeshop's pretty little cupcakes in luscious flavors like lemon curd and banana chocolate chip peanut butter that we almost didn't notice the Fishtown bakery's younger, more modern child, the cakecup. It's confectionery genius, really, and thrifty, too: Leftover cake trimmings (mmm, burnt edges) come naked or blasted with icing, ganache or whipped cream, in a grande-size plastic cup. Retail hours on Saturdays only. Read More »

636 Belgrade Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-598-5449 | Website