For the rest of the country macarons are the new cupcakes, but here in Ferndale we're just getting our first cupcake shop. I went in last week on what turned out to be opening day. There were about six flavors of cupcakes available, along with some cookies and chocolates. The cupcakes come in three sizes: mini for $1, regular for $2.50, and large for $5. However on my first visit there were no minis available, and on my second visit the minis only came in one flavor. Carol mentioned that she'll be having one special cupcake every day, and from what I can tell that one will be the large.
The first cupcake I tried was the daily special... a sweet potato cupcake topped with toasted marshmallows and walnuts. I loved the sweet potato cake, but I think I would have preferred a cream cheese frosting over the marshmallows. Also it didn't wow me enough to be worth the $5 price tag.
On my second visit I had two of the regular size cupcakes. One was a half chocolate/half vanilla cupcake (cutely named something like "can't make up my mind"), and the other was a creamsicle cupcake. Overall I've found the cake to be perfectly moist, and the frosting nice and sweet, with a good balance between the two. The only improvement I'd suggest is more pronounced flavors, as I couldn't really taste much orange in the creamsicle. But I am glad that Carol is being inventive with the flavors and not just sticking to the usual chocolate with chocolate, chocolate with vanilla, vanilla with vanilla, vanilla with chocolate, etc.
To be honest, in a larger city I don't think Carol's Cake Designs would last against stronger competition. But it's a wonderful addition to Ferndale and I have a feeling I'll be stopping by pretty regularly. read more