I hate leaving one star when nothing awful happened but the cupcake was just really bad. I took one bite and had to spit it out, which never happens because I love desserts. I honestly think the frosting had gone bad. The place itself is super cute with the self serve honor system and they even had gluten free options, which I thought was great. But I got the chocolate mint cupcake and it must have been sitting out way too long or something because it was not edible. read more

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The Peppered Cupcake (TPC) in Wilmington, NC, is a gourmet cupcakery known for its creative and adventurous flavor combinations. Located downtown at 105 S. Front Street, within walking distance from the waterfront. TPC also has a cupcake vending machine at UNCW, it has been serving cupcakes since 2008. They focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as homemade caramel, fresh fruit, and true buttercream, making their cupcakes a step above others. Their menu features nine daily flavors alongside a rotating selection of specials. When you walk into TPC you will notice that there are no employees in the store. This storefront works on the honor system and there is a sign with a QR code which explains the system and is what you use to check out. TPC is a must-visit spot for dessert lovers and has been featured in Southern Living Magazine. read more

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The Peppered Cupcake Bakery is such a unique and fun experience! The whole shop is completely automated--you simply grab your cupcakes and pay with a QR code on the front desk. It feels futuristic and reminded me of Japan with how efficient and easy it was. I tried the Birthday Cake, Caramel Macchiato, and Cookies and Cream cupcakes. Each one was fantastic--the cakes were moist, and both the whipped and buttercream frostings were delicious by their own merits. The Birthday Cake was classic, Cookies and Cream was rich and indulgent, but the Caramel Macchiato stole the show with its spot-on coffee flavor. Overall, everything was fun, convenient, and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend! read more

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Now I consider myself a cupcake snob so I'm hard to impress! We were at the houseboat for the week and wanted something sweet and gourmet. My husband went here and picked us up 6 cupcakes. I couldn't believe it when he said there was no workers there lol but I really love the concept now. He was able to take time and look at the cupcakes and the flavors. I had the tuxedo one night and the salted Carmel the next. Tuxedo was ABSOLUTELY amazing and the frosting was OH SO good!!! Such a cute idea! read more

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Many changes have occurred over the years. The second location they used to have is no more, but they apparently offer a cupcake vending machine at the university. The downtown shop has prepackaged cupcakes that you pick up yourself, which aren't boxed and labeled by hand as they used to be. But you can't question the quality. The myriad toppings give way to a delicate buttercream center that is sure to please. They offer the occasional cupcake for special diets, which don't look as fancy but in my experience do taste the part. Having stopped back in on this occasion, I can't tell you whether the cupcakes are truly as good as they used to be, because I bought them for a crowd and the crowd ate all of them. read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Stop by the shop and got the Keylime pie cupcake $5. It a very soft cake with amazing cream. The key lime flavor was just right with the sour and sweet ratio. Surprisingly one of the top 3 cupcakes I've ever had. Very glad I just stumbled across this shop as I was visiting the area. I would definitely come back if I come back to the area! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

So we walk in to get a cupcake and there's nobody in the shop and once we read the signs, we realize it is basically on the honor system. I was awestruck but love the concept. You grab a cupcake and then scan the QR code to pay, and off you go. So easy and the cupcakes were soooooooooooo good and in so many unique flavors, and not to mention fresh - they must replace them quite often throughout the day. Seriously love the concept and wish there were more businesses who did it like this - made life so easy! read more

This place was very cool! The setup was nice and all you had to do was grab a cupcake and pay, which was very convenient. I had a couple cupcakes and my favorite was the Taro one, it was unique and I really liked it! I even had to come back the next day! read more

I hadn't purchased from peppered Cupcake for a year or so but thought of them first for a friend's surprise birthday celebration; they have always been delicious, in my opinion. The space was empty when I arrived on a weekday but the shelves were fully stocked and accessories on hand. I bought a dozen of the pricy jewels and happily presented them to my friend at the celebration, and...they were not good. Dry, with a waxy tasteless buttercream (all 6 flavors I had purchased). NO ONE said how delicious the cupcakes were, for good reason. NO ONE had seconds or asked to take the extras home. I leave this review on Yelp as also, there is NO ONE to speak with to discuss this problem. read more

We got 4 cupcakes yesterday. They are usually always good. But the gluten free chocolate one had mold inside and another one was stale and very dry. Had to throw out both. It was also pretty warm inside the shop. So disappointed read more

The Peppered Cupcake is a self-serve cupcake shop conveniently located near the Cape Fear River. They have a great selection of rotating items that are all on display in the shop. We decided on the Coffee Cream cupcake for a post-dinner snack. The ordering and paying process was pretty straightforward, and we liked how we could take our time looking through the different displays. The cupcake itself was surprisingly quite moist! The frosting and caramel drizzle on top were also nice, though a little on the sweet side. We would recommend stopping in if you have a sweet tooth or want to check out some novel flavors! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Coffee Cream Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Worst cup cake I have ever ate. Self service during some hours so don't plan on coffee. With a 4.6 rating I guess a lot people have not have had a good cup cakes read more

I'm visiting from NYC and here for a work trip.... OH MY GOD... THE BEST CUPCAKES MAYBE I HAVE EVER TASTED??? For those who are unhappy with the peaceful self-checkout process, LET IT GO! It doesn't really affect you, and why worry when you're about to indulge in the most delicious cupcakes on the planet? Coming back tomorrow and the day I leave (sad I won't be able to enjoy these in the Big Apple read more

Tasty cupcakes! We had chocolate peanut and toasted cookies. We love the self serve concept and how everything is hand made.

The cupcakes were amazing! It's a cute little shop that you can select and bag your own cupcakes. You pay by scanning a QR code. There was no staff in the store area when I went. read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Spicy pepper cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Stopped here for a desert before lunch. It was a bit disorienting as the shop has no staff, just cameras and a terminal, signs and of course cupcakes. You can read all the descriptions of the cupcakes make your choice and pay at the terminal. I had chocolate with chocolate the icing was just enough but the cake itself was dry. Hubby had coffee, the coffee cupcake had just the right amount of flavor. Not sure if I'll go back. I know it's the after effects of Covid, not able to hire staff. You can grocery shop by scanning bagging and leave. It's the future I get that, doesn't mean I like it. read more

One of the best cupcakes I have ever had! I highly recommend checking this place out. I recommend going earlier in the day as they do sell out of some flavors closer to closing. read more

The absolute best cupcakes I've ever had in my life. As soon as I tasted the cupcake I looked at my boyfriend and said this will be our wedding dessert! It was absolutely delicious. I tried to call the store to rave to them about how amazing the cupcakes were but it was an automated line. Above all else you should try these cupcakes out!!! read more

Disappointed. When my family and I walked into this place, it was so welcoming, cute, innovative, and there were so many unique cupcake flavors to choose from. That is the extent of the quality of this bakery. The cupcakes were super dry and the frosting was mediocre. It tastes like it was made from a box. The only redeeming cupcake was the chocolate chip cookie dough flavor, which I enjoyed. read more

I was able to try these because they were given to my brother-in-law from his volleyball team and I was delightfully impressed at how yummy these cupcakes were! The flavor I tried was Black Velvet... it was a dark chocolate with a cream cheese frosting and vanilla cream center...yummm! It was moist and decadent. The frosting was so light and I couldn't help sticking my finger in it to try it. One of my favorite things to do when I lived near WDW was to try all the yummy cupcakes at the different resorts. After trying one of these and seeing the amazing flavors they have, I'm super excited to keep my cupcake tradition going by trying all the Peppered Cupcake flavors! Very excited to visit this location...this may be as close as you get to cupcake heaven here in the Wilmington area ;) read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Black velvet! - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

The frosting was delicious- light and sweet, but not too sweet- but the cake was really dry and crumbly. They advertise having different cupcakes every day, so I assumed it would be fresh, but the chocolate cake part seemed like it was several days old. It was the one with crumbled Oreos on top. read more

We have been purchasing cupcakes from The Peppered Cupcake on Racine for years. We have always dealt with Monica who was a delight with excellent customer service. The gluten free cupcakes have always been my go to dessert in Wilmington. Today, 7/16/2022, our daughter stopped by to pick up some cupcakes for us. Unfortunately, Monica was not there. The person behind the counter was incredibly rude. Maybe she was having a bad day? On the website we learned that the lady behind the counter was the owner. We tried to send a message via her website or Facebook, yet neither give you the option to do so. While a product may be good, it is the customer experience that makes the difference. Unfortunately, we will be taking a break from this business. We hope that in the future all customers will be treated with value and respect. Which seems hard to come by in many places these days. read more

I went to check out this place and what a gem! The place itself is just adorable, the service was excellent and the cupcakes TO DIE FOR! I got to try a few... passion fruit w/ habanero, the creme brûlée (awesome and airy), a coffee cupcake. My boy friend tried strawberry and basil while I tried the apple and cheese... they were all so well paired but my favorite was the apple and blue cheese. The apple was warm which made the cheese melt just slightly and it was like an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I will be talking about the apple and cheese cupcake for a long time. I love the sweet and sour, spicy and sweet pairings so I will certainly be coming back. Come check it out. They also have a location downtown. read more

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I am not a sweets person but we were on vacation so carbs don't count. The place has a religious vibe that isn't my thing but the employee was very nice. The smell of this place should be a candle scent. I think I liked the smell more than I liked my cupcake. We got the banana pudding, caramel macchiato, and creme brûlée. I think the banana was my favorite. The icing is tasty and not overly sweet. The cake was super moist and delicious. Definitely indulge your sweet tooth and give this place a try. read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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So I hate to come on here and mention another company's name. But I am a die-hard Sprinkles fan. To me, no other cupcake has ever come close.....until now! The Peppered Cupcake has amazing concoctions! They are super moist yet flavorful. And I love all the different flavor combinations that they offer. They also get bonus points for carrying gluten free cupcakes in a variety of flavors as opposed to just chocolate and vanilla. The cupcakes were so good that I returned to get more before I left town! My son had the gluten free pancake and bacon. My daughter had the salted caramel. My husband had the black Velvet. And I had the chai spiced latte. The customer service is just as amazing as the cupcakes. I came in with a large party. She was super patient with us and answered all of our questions. I definitely plan to return soon! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Kind of in cupcake heaven right now! - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I was sure I reviewed this previously, with a video of their cupcake with hot topping in "action"! (Other location: Front St.) Lovely flavors, & special order gluten free (& daily Sat & Sun) & also vegan. Always a destination, when family comes to town. read more

I absolutely love this place! The quality of the cupcakes is definitely made with quality ingredients and love haha. When I was stationed in North Carolina, I would make it a point to come here. The owners of this store are super friendly and caring. read more

Oh my pregnant self and my husband loved us some Peppered Cupcakes!!! Hit the spot- perfectly sweet, but not too sweet. The staff member was super patient and sweet as my pregnant mind tried to decide what to try. And they have gluten free options!! All were soft, moist and perfectly topped. What I really love is ALL the cupcakes have a pudding center!!! Score ! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Great tasting cupcakes and awesome flavors! Try the Peppered cupcake for an unusual flavor.

Such a cute little place with originally cup cake flavors! It's fun to try something new!

I came in for the first time as part of the Elite Yelp event. Upon entering, the aroma of beautiful sugar heaven emerges. The place is extremely cute, comfy and full of adorable things. Not to mention, the furniture is super cool. The cupcake selection was very unique and. You can tell they were made with love. The customer service was wonderful, too. I will definitely be back to buy these special treats for friends and family. read more

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Cupcakes anyone? This adorable little cupcake spot is literally just behind college street! Hey, don't let the WAZE App fool ya! Just a few minutes behind the Jeep dealership lies in wait the most assorted and beautiful sight of cupcakes a gal could ask for! Right in the heart of the main business district! Check them out and grab one or twelve! They also have assorted peppered jellies which is where they got their name sake! And we all love pepper jelly and cream cheese!!! Get there!! Trust me!!! read more

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I am shocked to see anything below a 5 star review here. I've been buying cupcakes from here for years and every time has been perfection. I am not a fan of the overly sweet, overly decorated cupcakes you tend to find in the more Instagrammable bakeries - if you like that then this place isn't for you. The cupcakes here are packed with flavor and always seem fresh. Dare I say they may be the best cupcakes I've ever had?! Long story short - I highly recommend. read more

I got these for a birthday celebration and was really disappointed. I was expecting them to be different but the flavors were just okay. All of the cupcake bases were the same with different toppings so I highly recommend just trying one before you buy a dozen so you can decide if you like them first. It was a birthday celebration with 8 people and no one liked them. Disappointing but glad I tried it out. They were beautifully decorated! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

We went here for my moms birthday and all of us were impressed with the quality, the variety and the deliciousness of the cupcakes! And the tee shirts are divine too! I bought one that reads, "Cupcakes are muffins that believed in miracles." I love that! I had the Black Velvet cupcake. It was so rich and chocolatey with butter cream icing that melts in your mouth! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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This was my first visit to The Peppered Cupcake on Racine Dr., in Midtown, although I have enjoyed the downtown TPC location a few times. TPC has always been innovative, consistent and their staff are exceptionally trained in the craft of cupcake sorcery. FOOD: Mango Habanero Peppered Cupcake; Creme Brulee Cupcake & Pina Colada Cupcake. I'll begin with the Mango Habanero Peppered Cupcake...it is the best cupcake that ever was, is and will be. I love some sweet heat and this cupcake blends it all with my favorite ingredients (mango puree with habanero, centered over a vanilla cupcake). If there are cupcakes in Heaven, I hope these are the chosen ones. My 2nd choice is the Creme Brulee with the fresh blueberry and blackberry garnish. Caramel drizzle over a baked puff of fine creme brulee will make you wonder how they do it. This cupcake tastes just like a 5-Star dining restaurant dessert but...solidified into a large, fluffy morsel of handheld goodness. Lastly, the Pina Colada cupcake was smooth and subtle with coconut flakes and a pineapple chutney resting on the top, garnished with a cherry. I guess I was expecting more "pina colada" punch into the cupcake but most of that flavor came from blending the toppings and icing together. Overall, the flavor is very subtle and I had to focus hard during each chew to taste Pina Colada. Maybe I was expecting a hint of reduced Rum, but couldn't taste any. It is sweet, refreshing and Caribbean-style, but I don't know if I'd label this one as a Pina Colada. SCORE: 4.6 STARS!! SERVICE: The only staff member I encountered (please forgive my forgetting of her name) was very pleasant, offered recommendations and had an overall friendly demeanor. She was masked up throughout the visit but did not have on gloves (if that's an expectation of yours) during this visit. Recognizing that I mentioned the Mango Habanero Peppered Cupcake as my favorite, she offered me a sample of a new peppered puree in the works to get my opinion. She did well at providing exceptional customer service. The decor and ambiance of this location is Southern and "Homey". Very inviting and pleasant experience. SCORE: 5 STARS!! OVERALL SCORE: I am not necessarily a "sweets" kinda guy (exception is ice cream), but TPC will give you cravings once you've had them. With a wide variety of flavors available throughout the day, TPC is sure to please your sweet tooth whenever you want something remarkable. Great treats, great service and a convenient location. SCORE: 4.8 STARS!! read more

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A must stop when we are in Wrightsville beach. Cake is more of a muffin base and the frosting is light and sugary, not heavy. We bought the Tarro, creme bruele and berry crumble. The creme bruele was the most flavorful. Good cupcakes and cute shop! read more

The Peppered Cupcake - 6 pack! - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I love this cupcake bakery! I visited the other location about a month ago and fell in love with their cupcakes. I'm happy I was able to come back to this location. This time I was able to taste several of their cupcakes. My first selection was their signature The Peppered Cupcake. AMAZING! The cake itself is so light it practically melts on your tongue. It's topping has a wonderful sweet (but not too sweet) taste that is mixed with some flavors that I just cannot put my finger on. Guess that's what makes it soooo yummy! We also purchased the Turtle (absolutely decadent with the caramel swirl and toasted pecans). Hubby loves Taro. He said it was an exact taste of Taro and also not too sweet. I also tasted his rose water cupcake and that was delicious! The store is beautifully decorated handpainted trees on the wall along with farmhouse wooden signs hung throughout. They also have a coffee bar area decorated and a couple couches to relax on in the front. This place is fabulous! Cupcakes are delicious. Employees are very friendly. I'm so happy I found this place, but sad it's 4 hours away. read more

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Best cupcakes in Wilmington. Hands down the most unique cupcake flavors that are so delicious. I had a warm cupcake for the first time, and I didn't think I'd like it, but instead I fell in love with it that I didn't share it with my friend! They taste super fresh, no egg smell, and not too sweet, so if you buy a few cupcakes, CAUTION you'll probably finish them in one sitting. read more

The Peppered Cupcake - Cupcakes Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I ordered some cupcakes for a friend and her husband. But mostly for my friend. I don't live in the area, and so I ordered them online/over the phone. While I did not taste the cupcakes myself, I thought I would review the whole ordering experience, with supplemental information from the recipients. The experience was super easy! The online ordering menu was pretty easy, though finding the right page to order from was a bit confusing. Since my friend's husband was picking it up, I called them to be sure that it was ok, as the name on the credit card was different than the name of the person picking it up. Once on the phone, I realized that they have some additional flavors available that were not listed online and added a few more cupcakes to the order. Note: if you are curious about any additional flavors that may change daily, definitely give them a call. The person on the phone was super friendly and helpful. They absolutely get a 5 star review. Once ordered, my friend's husband went to pick it up. He rated the pick-up process as "easy as Sunday morning." While I don't think Sunday mornings are easy, I believe he is saying that he would give the pick-up process a 5 star review as well. My friend (and her husband) loved the cupcakes! Her favorites were the pumpkin delight and the berry cobbler. She also liked the banana foster. Her husband liked the coffee cream. Given their responses, I feel like they would give the cupcakes themselves a 5 star as well...especially since they are now all gone. All in all, a really good experience from start to finish! When I visit, I will definitely be stopping by to get some for myself. And maybe I'll share with my friend. And her husband. read more