Salted Caramel Cupcake from Cupcake Royale

It had been a few years since I had a cupcake from Cupcake Royale in Seattle, Washington so the last time I was in town I made it a point to try another one. 

The closest Cupcake Royale location was about a half hour walk from where I was staying and by the time I got going it was later on the afternoon than I had hoped. Side tracked by the mesmorizing Seattle Public Library en route put a little more pep in my step being that I had to be back within an hour for a dinner date with a dear ex-festie. I wish I had gotten out earlier but a las, all the more reason to visit again soon as each time I do, I leave liking Seattle a little more.

Salted Caramel cupcake from Cupcake Royale 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Getting closer and closer to the Cupcake Royale location I wished more and more that I had broken free of the work email vortex I had been sucked into because the neighborhood I found myself in was so cute. Where was I? The streets were alive with an arts district vibe, cute small business store fronts, murals, sticker covered street signs and rainbow crosswalks. Turns out I wound up in the Capitol Hill area and subsequently, unintentionally found the gayborhood. No wonder I serendipitously felt calmer even though I was rushed. 

Stickers at Cupcake Royale in Capitol Hill 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Cupcake Royale in Capitol Hill 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The neon light sign outside conjured memories of the last time, my first time, I visited Cupcake Royale but as soon as I walked in I knew it wasn't the same location. This one was so much smaller and it was so gay. Taking in all of the cute pride and Halloween decor, including sassy stickers by the register I quickly realized that I had indeed gotten there late because the cupcake pickings were slim. 

One of the few flavors left was their Salted Carmel: a chocolate based cupcake with a salted carmel frosting. Though I am not one who usually goes for chocolate cake unless it's flourless (the most chocolatey of chocolate cakes go). I'm also not partial to salted carmel flavored things outside of salted carmels themselves. However, salted caramel carries a certain cozy vibe especially this time of year, doesn't it? I thought so, so I went for it. 

Salted Caramel cupcake from Cupcake Royale 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It was no surprise to me therefore I wasn't disapointed that the chocolate cake wasn't that chocolatey. I will say that it was better than most chocolate based cupcakes I've had. 

As soon as I licked the frosting my mouth salavated for more. That salted caramel flavor hit the sweet and salty spot of my tastebuds and wow. It is one of the most flavorful frostings I have ever had. It's such a comforting flavor, perfect for a cozy Autumn day/evening/night. Just thinking about it makes me crave it. 

If the chocolate cake would have been more chocolatey it might have taken away from the salted caramel and been way too much. The dark chocolate shavings on top of the frosting gave the cupcake an extra touch of chocolatey-ness that was just right. I couldn't have been happier that I decided to take a leap of faith and try a flavor I might not have tried if there was more to choose from. It is a salted caramel in cupcake form. 

Turns out this very Capital Hill location has a Halloween version of the Salted Caramel which features candy corn curls in place of the dark chocolate shavings. Candy corn might get a bad rap but I'm a fan of this Halloween confection. What a treat this halloween time cupcake is! If you're in the area this Halloween you gotta try it for me!

Be safe out there ghouls & goblins.