While I've seen these cake shops in the Chicago area as well as Albany, I had their cakes for the first time today. They recently opened up a shop in Clifton Park and I wanted to see what all the hype is about so I stopped in today while in the area . I purchased the white chocolate raspberry, and the chocolate chocolate chip individual bundts.
First upon entering the tiny shop I felt like I was in a gift shop not a bakery. For starters there was no sweet aroma hitting me in the face making my senses tingle. The sweet smells are my favorite part of walking into any bakery. A few tables were set out with what I think were retail items, (not baked goods), but I didn't pay close enough attention.
Staff were ready to take my order and cashed me out. It was quick and painless. But I was disappointed that there wasn't much customer interaction. Being new to the area you would think they would go out of their way some to chat up customers.
I was a bit taken back by the price. $10 for 2 cakes no bigger than a large/jumbo cupcake (normally a $3-$3.50 price range for a cupcake of this size in other bakery's) $5 each seemed a bit extreme to me. However, I believe in charging for and paying for value, so I assumed the cakes would be "to die for" and worth every penny. They were not, in my opinion.
The cake pros: The first noticeable trait is their size. They were larger than a standard individual bundt . About the size of a jumbo bakery cupcake.
At first bite I fell in LOVE with the white chocolate raspberry cakes texture. Seriously I am in awe over this texture. It is so moist. It has a tight and soft velvety crumb. Soft and moist doesn't describe it completely. I can't find the correct word to describe the amazing texture these cakes offer. The frosting is a nice lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting not overbearing with tang or sweetness. Beautiful!
The cake cons: The white chocolate flavor is clearly artificial. My guess is some type of a flavored syrup is used. (Syrup could also play a roll in the moist factor of the cake, but more of that in a moment) The White chocolate raspberry cake was missing the raspberry (as shown in my attached pic). One small very light pink swirl. That's all. Very disappointing. The chocolate, chocolate chip was also missing chocolate chips! I literally had 3 chips in the entire bundt. The chocolate cake also has a very artificial after taste.
Professional experience tells me these cakes are not 100% from scratch but rather doctored up powder cake mixes. My guess is an extra egg yolk, some pudding mix, maybe a scoop of sour cream, and a lot of flavored syrup contributes to that amazing one of a kind texture. For some that maybe fine, but for me, I prefer from scratch. If I am correct, that is disappointing because then the price is no longer justified IMO. I also wonder if the cakes come in pre-made and frozen, and are only decorated in house? That would explain the lack of "bakery smell" upon entering. I may be wrong on all accounts I have no way of knowing one way or another, these are just my opinions.
All in all, Nothing Bundt Cakes is like any other franchise corporate chain food business. It's not bad, but it lacks the quality often found with from scratch mom and pop food service providers. For me, outside of the amazing texture, it did not live up to all the hype. read more