Central Jersey Winners
The Dessert Plate
34 East Main St., Somerville
908-722-9881
Dessert Plate won the top slot by a landslide—we’re guessing that’s because of this sweet spot’s no-corners-cut baking philosophy and hometown vibe (staffers usually greet customers by name). Check out the variety of cupcake flavors, tarts, cookies and personalized cakes, and make sure you leave with a steaming hot cup of organic coffee. Can’t decide what to order? Try the brown sugar cupcake.
Runner's Up:
2. Blue Sheep (Somerville)
3. Tan’s Tasty Cakes (Trenton)
4. Sugarush (Red Bank)
5. Sugar + Sunshine Bakery (Plainsboro Township)
Essex County Winners
Cupcakes by Carousel
Multiple locations
With literally dozens of flavors here, you will find the perfect cupcake for your every mood. Try unique picks like cookie dough or cannoli, or sample an infused cupcake, where mild-mannered cake gets a jolt of apple compote or peanut butter cream filling. We especially love the apple pie and the s’mores cupcakes!
Runners Up:
2. Asalt & Buttery Bake Shop (Caldwell)
3. The Able Baker (Maplewood)
4. Gigi’s Cupcakes (Maplewood)
5. Sweet Retreat Boutique (Newark)
Morris County Winners
Ava’s Cupcakes
20 Wall St., Rockaway
973-625-7601
Taste some Cupcake Wars-winning treats here, including Ava’s famed Apple Pie and Banana Guava varieties. They’ve got a big menu to satisfy whatever you’re craving and one of the best gluten-free selections around. If Ava’s is far from you, never fear—just order something online (flavors like raspberry lemonade, root beer float and cotton candy) and have cupcakes delivered right to your door.
Runners Up:
2.Sweet Bake Shop (Chester)
3. Pink Cake Box (Denville)
4 & 5. TIE Crowley Cupcakes (Madison) & Sweet Lucy’s (Morristown)
North Jersey Winners
Mr. Cupcakes
Multiple locations
These guys have been making more than 40 cupcake flavors with a twist since 2007. Instead of topping chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with various frosting flavors, á lá most bakeries, Mr. Cupcakes takes its unusual toppings and bakes them right into the batter. The legendary Peanut Butter and Jelly and Fruity Pebbles are must-tries, and the Holy Cannoli and Roberto’s Flan are tasty newcomers. Also, visit their other locations in Hackensack and Oradell.
Runners Up:
2. Sweet Avenue (Rutherford)
3. House of Cupcakes (Multiple locations)
4. Cupcakes by Carousel (Multiple locations)
5. Carlo’s Bake Shop (Multiple locations)
South Jersey Winners
1. Sweet Eats Bakery (Voorhees, Marlton)
2. Gallo's Bakery (Cherry Hill)
3. Crust and Crumb Bakery (Beach Haven)
4. Carlo's Bake Shop (Ridgewood, Westwood, Marlton, Morristown, Red Bank, Hoboken)
5. Cake That (Manahawkin)
Union County Winners
Natale’s Bakery
185 Broad St., Summit
908-277-2074
Open since 1938, this old-school Italian bakery is known far and wide for its delicious and beautiful confections—especially its cupcakes. Choose from classic vanilla cake/vanilla frosting combos or take home something themed, like an Elmo cupcake for your Sesame Street fan. Make sure to try the signature Philly Fluff poundcake.
Runners Up:
2. Swiss Pastry Shoppe (Scotch Plains)
3. Cake Artist Cafe (Cranford)
4. Sugar House Bakery (Garwood)
5. Vaccaro’s Bakery (Clark)
More Golden Popsicle Awards:
Central Jersey Winners
Essex County Winners
Morris County Winners
North Jersey Winners
South Jersey Winners
Union County Winners
