Green Velvet Cupcake from Urban Cookies in Phoenix

There was so much to see and eat on my vacation to Arizona and I fully enjoyed taking it all in with good friends. Since it was my first time in Phoenix, my friend who used to live there brought me to Urban Cookies, a must-stop: a bakeshop that specializes in cookies but they also have cupcakes.
Delicious cookies and cupcakes recommended by friend who knows their stuff? 

Sold. 

We were engulfed in a sensory overload of yum as soon as we walked into Urban Cookies Bakeshop on 7th Street in Central Phoenix.  I deeply inhaled the warm scent of baked butter and sugar that swirled in the air. It smelled so good it made you want to eat the air. Imagine walking into a chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven, that's what walking into Urban Cookies for the first time is like.

Cupcakes at Urban Cookies in Phoenix Arizona
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Cupcakes at Urban Cookies in Phoenix Arizona
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Along with cookies and cupcakes, Urban Cookies also has donuts, desert bars, cakes, ice cream and coffee on their menu. Their gourmet pastries are always made from scratch using the most natural ingredients possible including organic sugar, as well as ingredients free of artificial additives, colors and preservatives. 

Taking up a better portion of the wooden counter top, the spread of scrumptious cupcakes sprawled like a cute flower bed blooming with different flavors. 15 different flavors to be exact. Three of which were St. Paddy's day Specials: the not kid friendly Irish Cream and Irish Coffee and the kid friendly Green Velvet. The gluten free chocolate cake with green cream cheese frosting and a glittery green, lucky clover topper of the Green Velvet called me. 

Wrapped in a single brown kraft paper wrapper, my to-go cupcake was neatly popped into to matching brown Chinese to-go box. I really liked the simple rustic aesthetic of Urban Cookie: it's not a shabby or Bohemian chic that you see in so many bakeries these days. It's wood and metal fixtures let the baked goods sell themselves (the delicious aromas help too). 

Cupcakes at Urban Cookies in Phoenix Arizona
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The chocolate cake of the cupcake was very, cakey. The word moist is used a lot to describe cake and this one was moist but there was something more to it. The gluten free, velvet cake recipe (which can involve baking soda and vinegar or sour cream) made for a more gooey, cake texture. The chocolate flavor itself was just a hint but it worked with the rich cream cheese frosting. Thick, smooth and well balanced, the cream cheese frosting wasn't too sweet and was definitely, classically, cream cheese frosting. Every bite was velvety and fresh and just sweet enough.

I also got a cookie from Urban Cookies, how could I not? And, like the cupcake, the cookie did not disappoint. 

I'm lucky to have friends to tell me where the good cupcakes are when I visit and luckily for you, now you know to give Urban Cookies in Phoenix a visit, too!