Cupcakes are arguably the best food in the entire world. Can you think of anything better than sticky-sweet buttercream frosting slathered on top of a gooey, rich cake? If you are anything like me, you are utterly obsessed with cupcakes. Although I could bake cupcakes, I prefer purchasing them from local bakeries, and although I have yet to find  a truly bad bakery cupcake, some are definitely better than others. With this belief in mind, I have spent the last two weeks sampling cupcakes from bakeries around Arlington. For this article, I will rate a vanilla cupcake, specialty cupcake, and ambiance of the bakery out of ten. The averages of all three of these ratings shall determine which bakery reigns supreme.

Georgetown Cupcake

My first spot on the search for the best cupcake was none other than Georgetown Cupcake. To provide context, Georgetown Cupcake is a highly acclaimed bakery located in Washington, DC. This famous bakery has appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times and Oprah Show. To say that I was excited to try these cupcakes would be an understatement. When I first walked into the shop, I noticed a line forming at the register.  Only one cashier was working; however, she was assisted by a small team in the back who assembled the orders. Nevertheless, the waiting process took around fifteen minutes due to the number of people in the line. However, that day was slow compared to the lines I have seen in the past

When I got to the front of the line, I placed my order with a pleasant cashier who seemed a bit frazzled. I ordered a vanilla cupcake and a pumpkin cheesecake cupcake. I decided to take a seat in the store just as somebody else left their table, which was super lucky because there was limited seating and a big crowd.My initial impression of the vanilla cupcake was its petite size yet impressive presentation. The cupcake was topped with a tiny, pink fondant flower. Upon biting into the cupcake, I felt the cake portion was dry and crumbly and the frosting was a bit too rich for me. However, the vanilla flavor in the cake and frosting was a standout. The cupcake tasted like good-quality vanilla, which differentiated Georgetown Cupcake, from the other cupcakes. 

The second cupcake I tried was the pumpkin cheesecake cupcake. The pumpkin flavor in this cupcake was pleasant, and I adored the crumbly graham cracker crust at the bottom of the cake. However, the buttercream frosting tasted a bit too rich. 

In conclusion, Georgetown Cupcake was a fun bakery to try for the first time. I can see why it is a popular tourist spot, but would I go there again? Probably not.

• Vanilla Cupcake: 6 /10
• Specialty Cupcake: 8 /10
• Ambiance: 6/10
• Final Rating: 6.7/10

Pastries by Randolph

The next bakery I chose was much closer to home. Instead of having to cross the Potomac, all I had to do was cross Langston Boulevard. The first thing I noticed when I walked into Pastries by Randolph was the massive glass case displaying dozens of treats. I took my spot in line and waited for a few minutes while contemplating what specialty cupcake to purchase. In the end, I selected a key lime pie cupcake and my mainstay, a vanilla cupcake. Unlike Georgetown Cupcake, there was no indoor seating, so I was forced to take my order to go. Technically, there were outdoor tables, but it was 50 degrees and windy that day, so I decided to go home. Immediately upon arriving home, I ripped open the bakery box and dug into my cupcakes.

First off, I tried the vanilla cupcake. Unlike my Georgetown Cupcake, the cake portion of the cupcake was soft and moist. I found the cupcake icing to be light and fluffy. However, one thing that stuck  out to me was the cupcake’s overall lack of vanilla flavor. It tasted as if the baker took a half-full bottle of vanilla extract and filled the rest of it with water. Although the cupcake’s vanilla flavor was nothing compared to Georgetown Cupcake, I could still taste the vanilla, but it was not really as much as I would have liked. Altogether it was a good cupcake, but not the best I have ever tasted. Secondly, I tried the key lime pie cupcake. When I bit into this cupcake, the first thing that hit me was a citrusy punch. I will say that Pastries by Randolph does not skimp on the lime flavoring, and I’m here for it. Once again, the cake was lovely and moist, and the icing was light and fluffy. However, unlike last time, the flavor of the cupcake came through. In conclusion, Pastries by Randolph is a nice, local spot. I do not think it would be a great place to work, due to the lack of indoor seating. However, their vanilla cupcakes are pleasant and their specialty cupcakes are superb.

• Vanilla Cupcake: 6.5 /10
• Specialty Cupcake: 10 /10
• Ambiance: 7/10
• Final Rating: 7.8/10

Bakeshop

The last bakery I tried was Bakeshop. One thing to know about Bakeshop  is that the ambiance is a 10/10. Garlands and other pieces of decor are strung around the shop. The bakery is clean and inviting. The workers were so nice and let me take some time to think before I ordered. There are numerous tables and chairs if you want to study or work in the shop. In the end, I chose a caramel cupcake as my specialty cupcake and ordered a plain vanilla cupcake.

Just like at the last two bakeries, I chose to try the vanilla cupcake first. The vanilla cupcake had a solid flavor, and the cake was fluffy and soft. However, I think the vanilla frosting tasted less like vanilla and more like butter. Altogether, still a pretty good vanilla cupcake. Later, I tried the caramel cupcake. Out of my Bakeshop cupcakes, I would consider the caramel cupcake my favorite. The cake was a bit more dense than the other cupcakes, but it was not dry. I could easily taste the caramel in the cupcake, although perhaps a bit too much in the caramel frosting. I loved the caramel drizzle on the top of the cupcake. I felt like it added a nice final touch to the cupcake. In the end, I would visit the Bakeshop again. The bakery has a nice ambiance, and the cupcakes were delicious.

• Vanilla Cupcake: 7 /10
• Specialty Cupcake: 9 /10
• Ambiance: 10/10
• Final Rating: 8.7/10

After calculating the means, I am proud to announce that Bakeshop has won the award for “Best Cupcakes in Arlington.” The standout features of this bakery was the excellent seating area and, of course, the superb cupcakes. If you are  ever in the Arlington area, stop by Bakeshop. I guarantee that you, and your stomach, will not regret it.