It’s hard to say when my love affair with cupcakes began, but that love is real and it’s strong. Every year, someone makes my favorite Funfetti cupcakes for my birthday. That someone is usually my mom, but this year my mom and my friends Steph and Jen also made some. Three sets of cupcakes made for the perfect start to my 28th year. My friends know me well and know that my happy place is located wherever there are cupcakes.

Just when I thought life couldn’t get better, recently my friend Ashley introduced me to a little slice of heaven right here in ICT, also known as cupcakes from Monica’s Bundt Cake Company. Monica’s has been open since 2005, but the cupcakes are a new addition. I drive by Monica’s almost daily but have never stopped until the mention of the cupcakes. I don’t know how I will ever repay Ashley for passing this bit of information on. I’d say I’d give her a cupcake, but that’s not happening; I skipped the day in kindergarten when everyone learned to share. But enough about my selfishness.

The cupcakes, all made with cream cheese frosting, are sold individually for $2.50 apiece or $28.70 a dozen. The individual cupcake selection during this trip included Chocolate Sour Cream, Crazy Carrot, Chocolate Chocolate with Caramel filling, Lots-O-Vanilla and Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate. Other flavors that can be ordered if buying a dozen include Chocolate Kahula, Lemon Bundt with Blueberry Liqueur Glaze, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Gingersnap and No-Guilt Chocolate.

Previously, I had tried the Chocolate Sour Cream cupcake during a wine night with some friends. If there is a better combination than cupcakes, wine and friends, I am not aware of it. That cupcake was a party in my mouth. For this trip, I limited myself to trying only two. The first one I tried was the Chocolate Chocolate with Caramel filling. Full disclosure: I ate the cupcake in my car in front of the store. I didn’t even give it time to go to room temperature after being stored in the refrigerator. I do not recommend doing this. It was still delicious, but it was a little too cold and the frosting was not as good as the time I tried it before. I waited to try my second cupcake, the Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate, and I’m glad I did. The cake was so freaking moist and the frosting – oh, the frosting. Two thumbs way up from this girl. My love of Funfetti isn’t over, but we are now in an open relationship – one in which I will most likely be getting cupcakes from Monica’s weekly. I hope Funfetti will understand.

I also like to go to Sugar Sisters to get my cupcake on. This bakery offers flavor options of White Wedding, Celestial Chocolate, Red Velvet, Strawberry and Ultimate Carrot, to name a few. The beauty of Sugar Sisters is that is it also a cafe, so I can enjoy a sandwich and a side of macaroni and cheese (you must try this) before I eat my cupcake or after, depending on my mood. The service is usually hit or miss, and at times the buttercream frosting is a bit too rich, but  I still like this place.

If you aren’t looking to eat your cupcake right away but rather are planning a party, I suggest ordering from Cheri’s Bakery for adorable and delicious combinations. Or check out Bliss Cake Shop, which is based in Andover but delivesr for free to Wichita. As a lover of both cupcakes and daisies, their flower cupcakes make the perfect team in my world.

So we’ve talked about where to go to eat cupcakes and where to order cupcakes, but I’d like to go one step further. In Milwaukee, Sandy Ploy started something amazing and I want to bring it to Wichita. She began an Iron Cupcake competition for local bakers. Ploy encourages others to start their own competitions in their cities. Wichita, WE NEED THIS. If you are a local baker who wants to participate or own a place where an event can be held, contact me at carly@verbict.com. Let’s do it for the cupcakes.

(Image Credit)

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