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Header image courtesy of @bakingmaniachk (via Instagram)
Originally published by Sophie Pettit. Last updated by Beverly Ngai.
Dainty, delectable, and incredibly fun to eat, cupcakes truly make the world a better place. Next time you feel like putting on the kettle and whipping out some baked goods, check out this scrumptious range of bakeries, cafés, and personalised cupcake services to satisfy your sweet tooth—here’s where to find the best cupcakes in Hong Kong.
An expert at all things sweet and petite, this popular Instagram shop charms gift-seekers and sweet tooths alike with its ornate cookies, macarons, and of course, cupcakes—the pinnacle of fun-sized desserts. Variety is among their greatest virtues, with a whopping 40 different cupcakes flavours on the menu, available in 2.5-inch and 1.5-inch sizes.
Take your pick from classic flavours like caramel, red velvet, and Oreo, or surprise your guests with out-of-the-box options like chocolate & puer tea, citron honey, and purple sweet potato! Whatever the flavour, the cupcakes come exquisitely piped and decorated with their uber-smooth buttercream!
Run by a mother-and-son duo, Baking Maniac bakes up stunning edible masterpieces that will bring a huge smile to your face before you even take a bite. Whether you’re looking for quirky emoji-themed cupcakes or elegant wedding cakes, the baking maniacs can cater to your whims. Made from the finest organic ingredients, their cupcakes taste just as incredible as they look!
Apart from these elaborate “designer cupcakes,” they’ve also got a solid repertoire of flavour-driven creations, ranging from classic chocolate and red velvet to unique options like fruit loops, masala chai, and even bubblegum! While they currently do not have their own brick-and-mortar shop, you can find some of their delightful treats sold at a handful of F&B retailers.
Boasting over a dozen shops across the city, Twinkle Baker Décor’s tasty cupcakes are always within easy reach! Catering to the local taste preferences, these cupcakes are made lighter and less sweet than their classic American counterparts, with flavours that take on a distinctive Hong Kong spin.
Rich in flavour yet light on the palette, you can’t go wrong with the popular Ovaltine ($28), sweet milk toast ($28), and Hong Kong-style milk tea ($28); but if you are feeling adventurous, try the Coke with ginger ($28), which features a moist chocolate sponge cake topped with dried lemon-flavoured ginger, coca-cola popping candy, and a dollop of ginger-infused cream!
No one needs a reason to indulge in cupcakes, but if you do, then assisting the elderly and underprivileged of Hong Kong should be good enough. The Good Cake is run by a team of one—Karen—who truly puts her back into her creations, sleeping an average of four hours a night and whipping up tonnes of buttercream by day. A portion of her cupcake sales goes towards buying rice for the elderly community living in poverty in Hong Kong. If you’re looking for beautiful, made-to-order cupcakes without preservatives for your next party or celebration, this is where to get them from. Just make sure to get your order in early!
As one of Hong Kong’s premier boutique wedding caterers, you can bet that Gloria’s Cakecraft dreams up some of the most aesthetically pleasing cupcakes in town. Completely handcrafted with natural food dyes and butter-free ingredients, these bakers use Korean white bean paste as a substitute for ordinary buttercream when creating their cupcake toppings. Floral elements serve as the main inspiration for the decoration process and ephemeral pastel colour palettes complete these gorgeous desserts. Their flavours are out of this world as well, with options like Korean-style honey pomelo and triple chocolate up for grabs. Don’t they just look too good to eat?
If you’re looking for a classic cupcake, then Complete Deelite is the place for you. Traditional flavours, delicious frosting, and flawless decoration make this an absolute gem. We love their flamingo-themed cakes, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg, because cartoon characters, stiletto heels, wonders of the plant world, and even Porsche cars are up for grabs on their adorable cupcakes. And if you fancy getting hands-on in the kitchen, then you’ll want to know that Complete Deelite hosts a range of regular baking workshops with seasonal themes, which are especially fun around the holidays.
Complete Deelite, 3/F, On Lan Centre, 11–15 On Lan Street, Central | (+852) 3167 7022
If you haven’t experienced the dream that is a Sift cupcake, then you need to drop whatever you’re doing immediately and make a beeline for your closest store. With over 20 creamy flavours to choose from, including peanut butter ($32), salty caramel chocolate ($32), red velvet ($32), banana foster ($32), and green tea ($32), you’ll be pacing up and down the counter more times than is acceptable, trying to decide which ones to choose. Or just do like we do and buy them all to share with your friends!
Sift Desserts, locations across Kowloon and Hong Kong Island
You may know Oookie Cookie for their imaginative and hyperrealistic cakes, but did you know that they also do cupcakes that are just as impressive? Now with a brick-and-mortar shop in prestigious, owner Ophelia Tam and her team are more than ready to take on custom baking projects for your next big bash. Want unicorns on your cupcakes? Check. What about Pokémon? Also possible. No custom sugary dream is too big or too small for these folks. We’re partial to their adorable dinosaur cupcakes, but we’ll let you be the judge! Just head on to their Instagram to browse through their previous creations and prepare to be wowed.
Oookie Cookie, Shop 302, Lee Garden Two, Causeway Bay | (+852) 9220 9622
Kiss and tell isn’t normally our style, but when it’s up there with the best you’ve ever had, people deserve to know. Winning the hearts of the Localiiz team in one fell swoop, these indulgent cupcakes, topped with the perfect amount of buttercream, are among the best in the city. S’mores, mocha, rum and raisin, pandan—pucker up and tuck in. Don’t forget about their adorable seasonal creations—they’re worth saving stomach space for!
Specialising in bespoke artistic confectionery, Phoenix Sweets whip up a range of delicious cupcakes at their Tai Kwun store, including flavours such as rose earl grey, very berry, cookies & cream, and caramel chocolate. They also bake to order, catering for all occasions, be it pink and gold floral cupcakes for weddings and birthdays, or Gatsby-themed delights for ultimate party glamour.
Phoenix Sweets, Shop 03–205A, 2/F, Barrack Block (Block 03), Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 3686 0915
After taking Singapore by storm with their fluffy bakes and smooth frosting, Twelve Cupcakes has set up camp in Hong Kong. There’s no chance of getting bored at this cupcake counter, with rotating weekly menus and three monthly specials, in addition to six classic flavours that are served every day. Looking for something a little more unique? Chat to the team about the personalised service.
Vive Cake Boutique—a.k.a elegance in cupcake form. The first boutique bakery to set up shop in artistic H Queen’s, this Parisian-inspired store boasts delicately-piped toppings and super chic embellishments. Cupcakes—with flavours like banana, earl grey, key lime, and more—are currently only available on a made-to-order basis; however, we’re excited for the day when we can swing by the powder pink parlour on a sweet-toothed whim and tuck into a cupcake fresh off the rack.
Vive Cake Boutique, Shop 3, 1/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 9602 2869
A step above your average cupcake order service, your made-to-order Yellow Circle desserts are topped with edible flowers that are flown in from France on a weekly basis. Not to mention that their cakes are made following low-sugar recipes, so you can feel good about indulging.
Co-founders Taylor and Jayden combine next-level cake decorating skills, quality ingredients, and home-style baking methods to create a truly memorable cupcake experience. With such attention to detail, it’s no wonder that this guy-and-gal duo is in demand, so make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Taylor also teaches group or private baking or decorating workshops if you’re interested to learn how to recreate the magic of Yellow Circle.
Whipping up guilt-free cupcakes and simultaneously answering our prayers is the Cakery. Using natural, premium organic ingredients, including goji berries, sugar cane, and raw honey, this guilt-free range of 13 flavours are the saviour of health-conscious foodies. Make sure you try the vegan, summer-inspired oopsie daisy cupcake ($45), which features a passionfruit curd-filled spongecake topped with dairy-free cream and passion fruit.
With over 10 years of experience crafting up sugary delights, Pallavi of I Love Babycakes knows how to make some mean cupcakes. Hailing from Mumbai, her Hong Kong bakery has only been operating since the beginning of the year, but she’s already left an indelible impression on the sweet-tooth community with her delightful bakes. How can you say no to magical unicorn cupcakes? You can also put in orders for bespoke creations, with custom frosting and toppings to match any theme! Unfortunately, there is currently no walk-in shop, but I Love Babycakes does accept orders via email, WhatsApp, and phone. You can find them on Deliveroo as well.
Calling all vegans—boy, have we found a sweet secret for you! You’ll be in paradise with the gorgeous selection of gluten and dairy-free cupcakes on offer at this Mong Kok gem. Also free from refined sugar, these little treats are perfect for more health-conscious consumers, with a small yet well-curated range of flavours including the ever-popular red velvet, chocolate beetroot, and strawberry cream. Personalised services are available for when you’re planning something special.
Sweet Secrets, Room 1203, Wing Lee Industrial Building, Tong Mi Road, Mong Kok | (+852) 9371 9089
What if I told you that you didn’t have to feel guilty about scoffing down a sweet, creamy, delicious cupcake? Well, Natural Chiffon is here to answer your prayers. Using all-natural ingredients with no food colourings or additives, this too-good-to-be-true bakery is a healthier option that we guarantee will satisfy your sweet tooth. What’s more, these folks can help you add designs and writings onto each and every cupcake, giving your cupcakes an extra special touch, for that extra special occasion.
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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