I vacillate between two extremes in most things and when it comes to dessert it is either cupcakes or crème brulee.  This segment is devoted to that piece of Americana that always finds it way to my mouth: Cupcakes!

Vanilla Bake Shop Cupcake Minis

mmmmm.....cupcakes

On Wilshire Blvd at 5^th avenue is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it storefront with the most resounding name…Vanilla Bake Shop.  Like the treats themselves the shop has a distinct retro vibe that is not overdone.  But it’s the delicacies in the cases that make this bit of Wilshire Blvd worth the drive into Santa Monica.  Sure, they have those regular sized cupcakes…but who wants one cupcake with just one flavor when you can have three (or four or five) mini cupcakes in varying flavors!  The filled cupcakes are the reason to visit this lovely little shop and I’ve been told that the Red Velvet is one of the best you will ever have (personally, Red Velvet is just not my thing) but don’t get my started on the Meyer Lemon Raspberry!  And the ice box treats are like mini pies waiting to burst in your mouth!

So next time your in Santa Monica you must seek out Vanilla Bake Shop on the south side of Wilshire at 5^th Ave and be prepared to drop a few $20s on the most delish cupcakes your palette will ever enjoy!