Cupcakes from Angel Cakes in Oakland

As part of the celebration for my niece's 13th birthday I got cupcakes from Oakland's Angel Cakes for the birthday girl herself, with her mom (my sister), her grandpa (my dad) and myself (her aunt). 

Angle Cakes in Oakland 
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Unlike me, my niece is a picky eater and I wasn't sure what cake she likes. I figured Red Velvet was a safe pick since the popular flavor falls somewhere between chocolate and vanilla. My sister confirmed that my niece would like anything with sugar in it, which as it turns out, is just like me. 

I had passed Angel Cakes in Oakland near where I happened to be staying for work. Under a maze of freeway over passes and on ramps, this bright pink, rustic, wooden almost barn like structure is a sight to be seen in an otherwise desolate area of town. 

I had known of Angel Cakes for a while but had yet to try their cupcakes. After hearing about the unfortuante robbery and ultimate passing of it's owner, Jen Angel, a couple years ago, I thought that the Bay Area woman's business had closed. 

Needless to say, it's touching to see that Angel Cakes is indeed still open and that her business is booming. Moreover, this is exactly the type of business to support: small, local and founded by a female activist who's mission was to enrich the lives of those in her community being run in her honor. That kind of sweetness is no easy feat. 

Pre-occupied with looking at all of the different cupcakes while straining to read the flavors on the small tags in the display case, it was unclear if the two customers in front of me were picking up orders or walk-ins like myself. It's a small store, with magic being made right beind the array of cupcakes on display. It was a lot to take on all of the different flavors. 

Angel Cakes cupcakes
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Luckily, I walked in knowing what I was there for. At least, I thought I knew what I was there for. They had Red Velvet and Red Velvet with raspberry jam on top of the cream cheese frosting. They also have a passion fruit cake topped with the same cream cheese frosting and raspberry jam that I couldn't leave without. It was an easy decision to add a little variety to my niece's birthday celebration cupcake selection by getting 2 regular red velvet cupcakes and two raspberry red velevet cupcakes. 

Angel Cakes cupcakes
photo by Nikki DeMartini

When I got to the register to place and pay for my order of five cupcakes: two Red Velvet, two Raspberry Red Velvet and one Raspberry Passion Fruit, a small sign promoting six cupcakes for $25 got my attention and I wound up leaving with six Angel Cakes cupcakes. The sixth being for my friend who I knew does not like raspberry so she got a Blueberry Walnut cupcake: walnut cake topped with cream cheese frosting with blueberry jam on top of it. The four birthday cupcakes went in a box that held four and the other two went in a box made for two. 

Typically I don't refridgerate cupcakes but since these wouldn't be eaten for a few days that's where they went in the until it was time to celebrate. The two cupcakes for my friend and I were eaten that day. I wasn't planning on reviewing the Raspberry Passion Fruit cupcake, however, the explosion of flavor upon biting into it blew my mind. There was no way I could not, not write a review of this cupcake. 

Red Velvet & Raspberry  Red Velvet  cupcakes from Angel Cakes in Oakland
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Raspberry Passion Fruit cupcake from Angel Cakes in Oakland
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The cake is dense, moist and full of flavor. And I mean, WOW. The passion fruit flavor is no joke. I've had one other Passion Fruit cupcake and to say that it does not compare to this one is an understatement. It's tartness met with the sweetness of the frosting is a perfect match. The fresh raspberry jam adds a little bit more sweet and a little bit more tart without over doing anything, while it's berriness complements the tropical flavor in an unexpectedly, lovely way. Seeing raspberry seeds is a clear indicator that the jam topper is freshly made. In fact, the whole cupcake is divinely fresh, making it all the more delicious. If you are a fan of passion fruit and cupcakes I highly recommend this cupcake. 

Raspberry Red Velvet cupcake from Angel Cakes in Oakland
photo by Nikki DeMartini

On the day of the birthday celebration, I let me niece an sister pick which cupcake they wanted and they both chose the Raspberry Red Velvet. Being that I had already had one of Angel Cakes' cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting and raspeberry jam I was happy with their choice. Reporting back, my niece said she liked the cupcake and that her mom had eaten hers in two bites. Nervous that the cupcakes would taste stale, this came as a releif. I was happy that they both liked the cupcake they chose. 

The Red Velvet was a standard Red Velvet cupcake as far as Red Velvet Cupcakes go. I knew that it would have tasted even better if it was enjoyed when it was fresh. Nevertheless, it was still tasty with the signature not quiet chocolate cake and not too sweet cream cheese frosting. Angel Cakes' cream cheese frosting is more creamy than it is thick and a little more on the sweet side than the cream cheese side. The small piece of dark chocolate and white chocolate striped curl on top parallels this perplexing yet simple flavor and is a nice accentuating touch.

Red Velvet cupcake from Angel Cakes in Oakland
photo by Nikki DeMartini

My one and so far only experience of Angel Cakes cupcakes has already rendered recommendations to others. Not only are the cupcakes great but it's a great small business support. Angel Cakes also offers full size cakes, mini cupcakes, vegan and gluten free options along with other treats like lemon bars, cookies and macarons.  Order online or walk in to see what you can walk out with. I can't imagine leaving with a treat from Angel Cakes that isn't short of heavenly. 

Red Velvet cupcakes from Angel Cakes in Oakland
photo by Nikki DeMartini