SF's best cupcakes

June 30, 11:19 AMSF Bakery ExaminerLindsey Danis

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Citizen Cake cupcakes by Slightly North

Everyone in San Francisco loves a great cupcake. Right? Here are the best spots in town to get a fresh-baked delight:

Citizen Cake 399 Grove St, San Francisco
San Francisco foodies know Citizen Cake's Elizabeth Falkner for her whimsical approach to desserts. From deconstructed cakes to blue cheese ice cream, her offerings are interesting and artful.

Lucky for cupcake lovers, her classic bakery treats are among the city's best cupcakes. While Citizen Cake offers plain vanilla and chocolate cupcakes--and uses real vanilla beans in the frosting-- the real winners here display a touch of splash. Rocky Road offers chocolate chiffon cake, chocolate frosting mixed with nuts and homemade marshmallows and a chocolate ganache shell. Pineapple Upside-down is a tropical confection of caramelized pineapple, buttermilk cake, passionfruit frosting and shredded coconut.

Kara's Cupcakes 3249 Scott St/Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Evidenced by recent expansion into San Jose and Napa, Bay area dessert lovers can't get enough Kara's Cupcakes. Both the chocolate and vanilla cakes are moist and flavorful, there are many flavors of frostings, and the presentation is an understated elegance. Try the Chocolate Velvet and Sweet Vanilla if you prefer the basics. While Kara's Cupcakes offers mainly treats without add-inns, they occasionally feature seasonal filled specials like Strawberry Cream or Caramel Apple.

That Takes The Cake 2271 Union St, San Francisco
Relative newcomer That Takes The Cake is a hit for its kitchsy names, clever flavor pairings and moist, flavorful cakes. The clear favorite is the Gentlemen Prefer Reds, a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. That Takes The Cake also offers a Neapolitan cupcake and two green tea cakes with lychee or jackfruit buttercream. That Takes The Cake prides itself on warmth of service, and even partners with a vegan bakery to serve special orders.

Delessio 1695 Market St, San Francisco
Delessio Bakery offers miniature cupcakes in constantly changing flavors that have included pumpkin spice, lemon-raspberry, and PB&J. While their cakes are slightly dry, the frostings, fillings and topping are fun and tasty.