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Whether you're thinking of throwing a birthday bash, looking for a way to make your wedding more unique, or looking for a sweet treat to satisfy you any time of the year, cupcakes are a great way to go. Cupcakes are the best of both worlds: all the care and love and sweetness of cake but in a personal-size commitment.
If you're looking for something that stands out from the pack (not your average grocery store cupcakes or something you have to make from a mix), your options used to be limited to local bakeries you could find in your area. Today, however, many modern bakeries offer delivery services online, so you can get cupcakes shipped from anywhere in the world right to your door.
Tuesday, January 14th
Wicked Good Cupcakes is owned by a mother-daughter duo who first presented their idea for jarred cupcakes on Shark Tank. Their goal was to create a way to ship cupcakes nationwide without worrying about the cupcakes losing freshness. Their solution? Packaging cupcakes in jars (complete with cake, frosting, and toppings). In 2021, Wicked Good Cupcakes joined the Hickory Farms company, which made it even easier to send their cupcakes as gifts. Plus, Wicked Good Cupcakes offers something for everyone, including gluten-free options for those with dietary needs.
Jarred cupcakes ready to go
Wicked Good Cupcakes is all about cupcakes, so finding what you need takes no time at all. You can jump right into browsing with the "Shop Now” button, click through the Choose Your Flavor link, or check out some holiday flavors (and birthday cupcakes too). The listings are all displayed with colorful photos showing the cupcakes in glass jars with layers of cake, frosting, and sprinkles. The listings have the name of each package, the quantity of jars, and the price on the main page. When you click on a specific cupcake listing, you'll see a description with exact flavors, instructions on refrigeration, and all allergen information.
Choose from 46 packages and around 25 flavors
There are 46 different cupcake packages on Wicked Good Cupcakes. There are sets of pre-packaged flavors like PB Chocolate & Cookies ‘n Cream or "Mix & Match” cupcake jars that allow you to select flavors yourself. The options range from 2-32 jars per pack. There are also subscriptions you can buy if you want regular shipments of cupcakes. Wicked Good Cupcakes has around 25 cupcake flavors on its menu, with a mix of year-round classics and specials that rotate in and out for the seasons. A few standout flavors we saw during our review include:
The flavors are also available in gluten-free cupcakes if need be.
Pricing from $25.99 to $299
The cupcake jars at Wicked Good Cupcakes range in price from $25.99 for a 2-pack (2 jars per shipment) to $299 for a Mix & Match 32-pack. Some of the packages include cards or messages, and there are some that are paired with wines (like the Cupcake 2-pack & Moscato Gift Set for $59.99) that are ideal for gifting. Depending on what you buy, the prices here are pretty reasonable overall.
Shipping from $10 to $21.99
Depending on the delivery date you choose, the price of shipping can change. For our area, shipping ranged from $10 for some days to as high as $21.99 for others. If you're flexible with your delivery day, you may find a pretty good deal on shipping at Wicked Good Cupcakes.
Offers a competitive refund/reship policy
Wicked Good Cupcakes takes pride in ensuring its customers are completely satisfied. According to the refund policy, Wicked Good Cupcakes will send you a replacement or issue you a refund if you're not happy with your order (or an order as a gift for a loved one). All you need to do is email the customer service team at Wicked Good Cupcakes, and you'll be on your way to a solution.
Perfect BBB rating and praise for great flavors
Wicked Good Cupcakes holds an impressive "A+” rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, coming in as one of the top-performing cupcake sites according to the BBB. On other third-party sites like Trustpilot, reviews are solid. Most of the cupcake enthusiasts who reviewed Wicked Good Cupcakes praise the sweet flavors. A few reviews said this was the ideal cupcake service if you have a sweet tooth.
No downsides to jarred cupcakes
This cupcake delivery service is the top contender in our review for three reasons: great prices, reasonable shipping costs, and top-quality customer service. Backed by an "A+” rating from the BBB, Wicked Good Cupcakes is a standout service to get yourself a sweet treat. And the unique jarred cupcake method will keep your delivery fresh throughout the shipping process. There are zero downsides to trying this bakery and it easily earns the top spot in our review.
If you're looking for unique decorations and artistic cupcakes, Maggie & Molly's Bakery is going to be a shop you'll want to check out right away. Based in Denver, Colorado, Maggie & Molly's Bakery is a full scratch bakery that offers a range of creatively-decorated treats including cakes, cookies, macarons, and cupcakes. Whether you're looking for nature-themed cupcakes, something to celebrate Pride, or unique (and decadent) flavors, Maggie & Molly's Bakery has tons to pick from.
Minimalist browsing experience
The website is a little minimalist, but that doesn't stop you from finding cupcakes ASAP. You can select cupcakes from the top navigation bar and start browsing the 6 pages of treats. The listings include a photo and a name for the cupcakes as well as the price. To see more details you'll have to click on a specific type or flavor. On the pages for individual cupcakes, you will be asked to fill out fields like your preferred delivery date, add any message for a potential gift, and you'll see a brief description of the treats including the number of cupcakes included in the order, and the flavors included in the pack. However, there are no details included for allergens on any of the listing pages.
Over 20 flavors to try
There are 40 different assortments of cupcakes to choose from at Maggie & Molly's Bakery. These include unique flavors like Coconut, Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream, Old Fashioned, Banana Nut, Chai, Bailey's Irish Cream, Snickerdoodle, Guinness, Whiskey, Tres Leches, Churro, Earl Grey, and more. There are over 20 individual flavors and tons of unique decorations and designs (like the hydrangea frosting cupcakes). All of these, except for the cupcake petit fours, come in 12-packs with either one flavor or an assortment. You'll find mini, standard, and jumbo-size cupcakes at Maggie & Molly's Bakery.
Pricing from $42 to $75 per package
The prices at Maggie & Molly's Bakery range from $42 for a set of jumbo cupcakes up to $75 for a bouquet of twenty cupcakes (shaped like a flower arrangement). Most of the 12-packs of cupcakes are $48 regardless of flavor. Only a few specialty cupcakes are higher-priced, including the Sunflower Cupcakes or the Summer Fishing Day design. You can also find gluten-free cupcakes, which are the same cost as the normal ones (we love that there's no upcharge for such dietary needs).
Shipping around $25
Shipping is quite costly at Maggie & Molly's Bakery. For our area, the estimated shipping was $25 for one pack of cupcakes (12pc). The final retail price for a $48 cupcake pack was $79.06 after shipping and tax. This price may change depending on your location, but we were only offered one shipping method, so whatever Maggie & Molly's Bakery quotes you will be your only choice. You can select a delivery date though, so this is a solid option if you need cupcakes on a timeline.
No refund policies listed
Regrettably, there is no refund or reship policy offered at Maggie & Molly's Bakery. There isn't even an FAQ on the website. To be more competitive, Maggie & Molly's Bakery may need to spend some time updating its site and putting together more customer service policies as it continues to ship out cupcakes across the country. For now, your only option is to contact customer service if something goes wrong.
Great flavors and loyal fans
On the bright side, Maggie & Molly's Bakery does extremely well with customers. While there isn't a page for this small Denver bakery on the Better Business Bureau, the bakery is well-reviewed on Yelp and Tripadvisor by local fans of the tasty bakes. Maggie & Molly's Bakery has a 4.5-star average rating on Tripadvisor and reviews highlight positives for both the delivery service and the flavor of the treats. Customers love the unique decorations and keep going back to Maggie & Molly's Bakery again and again.
Best-in-class cupcake decorations
Maggie & Molly's Bakery is a standout in almost every way. The decorations are creative, the flavors are unique, and there are tons of them to choose from. The pricing is competitive, though shipping is a little steep, and you can get your cupcakes scheduled for any time. With rave reviews from locals, you can be sure the flavors are worth the price. While we'd love to see Maggie & Molly's Bakery upgrade its website and improve its customer service section (and add an FAQ), this Denver powerhouse earns an excellent rating in our review.
The Cupcake Collection was started by Mignon Francois in 2008. Her bakery had humble beginnings in her local Historic Germantown area of Nashville. Now the company has a range of pop-up shops in New Orleans, LA. All of the treats at The Cupcake Collection are made daily with rotating flavors, different-sized cupcakes, and gluten-free and vegan options. Whether you want to buy locally or ship the cupcakes nationwide, you can grab some tasty treats from The Cupcake Collection.
Start buying shippable cupcakes right away
To start picking out tasty cupcakes, you just need to click on your preferred method to get them: Local Pick-Up or Nationwide Shipping. From there, you'll be shown a scrolling list of cupcakes for purchase. The listing photos have high-resolution images of colorful cupcakes with fluffy frosting. However, the menu is a little limited compared to other cupcake services. The listings page shows only the name and price of the package of cupcakes. If you click through the actual items, you'll find a basic description (including the number of cupcakes, the flavors that are included, reviews for each package, and the complete list of ingredients) for each package.
6 ways to buy and up to 13 flavors at a time
The best way to see all the flavors at The Cupcake Collection is to click on the listing for Twelve Cupcakes Shipped to You. This will let you add 12 of any of the cupcakes on the menu to a curated order. There were 13 flavors available at the time of our review, and you can expect these to rotate throughout the year. For example, The Cupcake Collection added three new flavors recently:
You can also find unique flavors like Sweet Potato, Wedding Cake, Strawberry, Sweet Lemonade, Carrot Cake, and more traditional flavors too. As for the packages themselves, there are 6 different ways to buy cupcakes, including gluten-free build-your-owns, a baker's choice assortment, and vegan assortments.
Pricing from $42 to $48
All of the packages of cupcakes at The Cupcake Collection are in 12-packs of cupcakes. The cheapest way to get your cupcakes is either to choose your own or let Mignon select seasonal favorites for you. These packs cost $42. The rest of the options, which are a range of gluten-free or vegan picks, are $48 for a dozen. The prices are competitive, and the ability to select exactly what cupcakes you want (regardless of dietary restrictions) makes The Cupcake Collection stand out from the pack.
Shipping costs around $35
Shipping is calculated when you complete the checkout. For our area, the cost was $35 per package. This raised our total (from a $48 purchase) to $88.40 including tax and shipping. You are also encouraged to tip the staff at The Cupcake Collection, which could add up to 30% more to your total (or a custom tip if you prefer).
Refunds only for orders canceled before shipping
The Cupcake Collection does have a refund/cancellation policy, but it's limited. Cancellations need to be provided one day in advance of the completion of your order. Refunds for properly-canceled orders will be provided through store credit. There is nothing currently in the FAQ for online orders or problems with shipment. So, you may want to be prepared to not receive any money back if you're not satisfied with your order.
Rave reviews from locals
On the bright side, you may not need to worry about needing a refund. The Cupcake Collection holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. While there aren't any ratings on sites like Trustpilot, this home-grown bakery has rave reviews from foodies on Tripadvisor. On average, The Cupcake Collection has a full 5 stars from reviewers. Customers rave about the Sweet Potato cupcake specifically and make a point to visit the in-person location in Nashville. While none of these reviews focus on the delivery service, the overall feedback for The Cupcake Collection is outstanding in every way.
Great place to pick your own flavors
The Cupcake Collection is the best of all worlds. You get a home-grown bakery with unique flavors, shipments of 12 cupcakes to your door in vegan, gluten-free, or regular styles, and an impressive range of feedback from happy customers. Only the high cost of shipping is a drawback with The Cupcake Collection, and even then, customers are saying it's worth it to try these cupcakes. For these reasons, The Cupcake Collection earns a competitive rating in our review and a high recommendation to check it out if you can afford the shipping.
Established in 2005, Bake Me a Wish! set out to solve a problem in New York: finding a bakery that could ship out of state. The bakery got its start with cakes, and now it has expanded its offerings to include cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pies, and cheesecakes. Bake Me a Wish!'s goal is to be the top destination for giving bakery treats to your loved ones, and the bakery is popular on news stations and TV shows. You can find features for Bake Me a Wish! on Oprah Daily, Forbes, The Sun, Windy City Times, and more.
A great gifting site for cupcakes
Finding the cupcake selection at Bake Me a Wish! just takes one click on "Cupcakes" from the top navigation bar. Once you find the treats, it's a feast for your eyes. Each cupcake package is displayed with a range of beautiful photos that show tasty cupcakes with unique decorations. You'll be able to see the flavor names, prices, and the number of customer reviews for each listing (and the total star rating). All of the cupcakes at Bake Me a Wish! are sold in multipacks, so you can get a range of flavors in one shipment. Clicking on a specific cupcake package brings up additional details like a short description of the flavors and allergy information. You can select your delivery date, add a gift message, and upgrade your cupcake package with something special like an extra order of cookies, birthday candles, or a teddy bear plushie.
Choose from 13 multi-packs
There are 13 different packs of cupcakes to choose from at Bake Me a Wish! These include normal size, mini size, and jumbo size. Packs range from a 4pc up to a 12pc and you'll find flavors like Chocolate Lovers Cupcakes, Birthday Cupcakes, Fruity Cupcakes, and a range of gluten-free options in all flavors. For example in the Gourmet Cupcake Favorites (9pc) pack, you'll find the following flavors:
There are also some additional holiday flavors like Peppermint at Bake Me a Wish! too.
Pricing from $50 to $68 for cupcake packs
The prices at Bake Me a Wish! range from $50 to $68 depending on which pack you buy. The least costly cupcake pack is the Mini Birthday Cupcakes which includes 12 treats (3 Chocolate, 3 Vanilla, 3 Strawberry, and 3 Red Velvet). The most expensive is the Gourmet Cupcake Favorites (9pc), which include 9 totally different flavors. The gluten-free options are priced exactly the same as the regular, so you don't need to worry about any extra charges if you have special dietary needs.
Shipping is costly for cupcakes
One downside to ordering at Bake Me a Wish! is the relatively high shipping cost. For our location, shipping was priced at $22.99, though this can vary depending on where you live. You can't change the shipping option either. You can only see the shipping charges after entering all your checkout details, which can be a bit of a shock when you see the final price. For us, this made a $50 order $72.99.
On Time Guarantee plus refund options
Bake Me a Wish! offers an "On Time Guarantee” for its shipments. All cupcakes are shipped with UPS, and if your order doesn't arrive on the promised date, the shipping costs will be refunded to you completely. If you're not satisfied with your cupcakes once you receive them, Bake Me a Wish! promises to offer a partial or full refund, store credit, or even overnight replacement of your cupcakes.
Tasty flavors but missing the mark with shipping
Bake Me a Wish! has earned an "A-” rating from the Better Business Bureau and shows plenty of positive feedback on their own website. Each cupcake package has received thousands of high ratings, with most of them holding a 5-star average. However, feedback from third-party platforms is mixed. Trustpilot shows a 3.4-star average rating for Bake Me a Wish! Many customers report problems with delivery including that the promised fast shipping (and the On Time Guarantee) doesn't come through. There are also reports of missing packages. However, most customers also rave about the flavor of the cupcakes and the pretty designs.
Solid choice if you want to send a gift
Bake Me a Wish! offers fun flavors and is a favorite for sending cupcakes as gifts to your loved ones. However, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. If you're flexible with when you expect your delivery, you might be happy with Bake Me a Wish! However, if you're expecting a perfect shipping experience, you'll possibly be disappointed. Plus, there are some limits to the flavors that could leave you wanting more if you're after something truly unique. Overall, Bake Me a Wish! earns a solid rating for its quality baking and gifting abilities, but it could improve flavor variety and shipping to earn a higher score.
Baked Cravings was founded by Craig Watson to create desserts that address the issue of severe nut allergies. The entire facility at Baked Cravings is 100% nut-free and it uses high-quality ingredients purchased from nut-free vendors. This is one of the newer businesses in our review, founded in 2017, and it offers shipping nationwide in the US. It is also one of the top minority-owned small businesses in America.
Look for cake in a cup instead of cupcake
It can take a little time to find the cupcakes you can actually have delivered on Baked Cravings, but rest assured, they are there. If you use the navigation bar to click "Shop”, you may want to jump right into the "Cupcakes” category. Sadly, Baked Cravings doesn't ship its classic cupcakes. You can only snag these if you're a local. If you want the shippable cupcakes, you'll need to click on the "Cake in a cup” tab instead. Here, you'll find pictures that look like ice cream cartons full of cake. The listings include the name, price, and star ratings for each cupcake. You can buy individual cupcakes or packages. On the pages for individual flavors or packs, you'll see a brief description of the flavor, including all main ingredients and what you can expect it to taste like.
18 packs and single cupcakes
You can find 18 different cupcakes from single cakes in a cup to packs of up to 6. You'll find 13 different flavors with some unique boozy selections like the Ciroc Strawberry Cake or the Hennessy Cake. You can also find vegan flavors like Vegan Black Forest Cake or Vegan Cinna Crave. Some of the standard flavors include Cookies and Cream, Confetti Deluxe, and Lemon. The packs include choose-your-own or pre-made assortments that include all the boozy flavors or all the vegan flavors. However, none of these cakes in a cup have frosting, which may be a problem for buttercream fans.
Pricing from $5.95 to $59.90 per shipment
The prices at Baked Cravings range from $5.95 to $7.95 for individual cupcakes or between $38 to $59.50 for packs of 6. The least costly cake in a cup shipments are the standard flavors like Vanilla or Chocolate, whereas the flavors that are on the high end are (unsurprisingly) the alcohol-infused ones like Whiskey Cake. The least expensive pack is the Cake in a Cup Starter Pack for $38. But, you have to make the actual treats yourself. The most expensive six-pack is the Vegan Cake Cup Gift Box which includes 2 flavors of vegan cake.
Free shipping on orders $75+
The cost of shipping includes two things: the actual delivery costs and a $1.95 charge for ice to keep your cupcakes nice and cold. For our area, the shipping cost for any order was $9.95, making a single cupcake $17.85 (including the ice and shipping costs). If you pay over $75 for your entire order, you can score totally free shipping, though, which is great if you plan to buy multiple packs for gifting.
Limited refunds for custom orders
Currently, the only details for refunds or reshipment are under the custom order section of Baked Cravings' FAQ. We also tried asking through Baked Cravings' online chat and were told to check the FAQ instead of getting real answers. Currently, if you cancel a custom order within 12 hours of placing your order, you will receive a full refund. You will get an 80% refund if you cancel after 12 hours (as long as the bakery hasn't made a lot of progress on your order). Finally, if you cancel after production begins, you'll be given store credit for 50% of your order.
Solid reputation with locals
While the reviews seem stellar on the Baked Cravings website, we looked through them and found almost half of them to be spam. Some of the reviews have no comments at all and just the letter "E” in the reply field. Currently, there aren't many other reviews to back up the company's reputation. Baked Cravings is currently marked "NR” on the Better Business Bureau and has no reviews on trusted third-party review sites like Trustpilot. We did find some feedback on Yelp where locals have left reviews that show a 4.3-star average. Customers say the flavors are fantastic and that they went back to Baked Cravings again and again. However, none of these reviews revolve around deliveries.
Perfect for those with allergies
Baked Cravings is a popular bakery for locals, and has some impressive flavor options you won't find anywhere else. With their promise of a totally nut-free experience, this bakery is ideal for anyone with a nut allergy. The prices are reasonable, and with the option for free shipping, you may want to check out Baked Cravings for sending gifts. However, with some concerns for absent reviews (and spam reviews on the Baked Cravings website) and a lackluster refund policy, it doesn't quite make it to our top cupcake picks but earns a good rating overall.
Harry & David stands out as one of the oldest bake shops in our review, with a history dating back to 1934. Over the years, it has become a well-known destination for gourmet gifts. The selection of giftable treats at Harry & David includes sweet treats, fine wines, beautiful flowers, and baked goods (including cupcakes). This is a great one-stop shop for gifting, though it can be a costly option for not a lot of flavor.
Website could use an update
Harry & David offers a wide range of treats, and it can be a little overwhelming when you first land on the home page. To find cupcakes, head straight to the "Bakery” section on the top navigation bar. There you'll find the sub-category "Cheesecakes, Cakes, and Pies” which will guide you to cupcakes. From here, you can browse beautifully-photographed cupcakes with fun and colorful decorations. Each listing shows you the flavor, package type, and availability status. When you select a specific item to order, you'll get a short description of the flavor (or flavors) included in the shipment, texture details, and what kinds of frosting are used. However, there are no details for allergens on Harry & David, and some of the details are outdated. For example, on the Unicorn White Chocolate Dipped Cupcakes, the details list this as part of the 2022 Pride Collection (with details relating to sales in the year 2022). This hasn't been updated over the years, and it is unclear if the donation of 20% to LGBTQ+ organizations is still in effect.
18 packages and 13+ flavors to choose from
There are 18 packs of cupcakes to try at Harry & David. Many of these are standard vanilla or chocolate with buttercream with a variety of different decorations. There are some unique flavors like the Chocolate Lover's Mini Cupcakes which include:
There are over 13 different flavors we've seen in different packages. You'll receive between 6 and 12 total cupcakes depending on which package you buy.
Pricing from $32 to $109.99
The prices at Harry & David range from $32 to $109.99 for the cupcake packages. The least costly are the DIY Baking Kits which send you the materials to make your own cupcakes for $32. The lowest cost pre-made cupcake package is $39.99 which is the Buttercream-Frosted Assorted Cupcakes (6pc). The most expensive package is the Cheryl's Cookies and Cupcakes, Gourmet Drizzled Strawberries, and Wine pack that includes a variety of treats in one purchase. The most costly package that is just cupcakes is the Little Whisk Happy Birthday Jumbo Filled Cupcakes for $54.99.
Shipping around $19
The shipping for Harry & David is reasonable, but the final price will depend on your location. For our local area, shipping was estimated at $18.98. This price is competitive, but a little high, and can take your order of cupcakes from just over $30 to $50+. While this isn't the most costly we've seen in our reviews, we didn't see any opportunities for free shipping unless you opt for the Celebrations Passport at $19.99/year (and even then, not all cupcakes may be eligible for free standard shipping).
Refund or reship guarantee
Harry & David provides a satisfaction guarantee, promising that you (or anyone you send a gift to) will be pleased with your order. The guarantee policy states that if there is an issue with the order for any reason, Harry & David will address it by either sending you a replacement right away or providing a full refund.
Customer service complaints on most reviews
Harry & David has an impressive "A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau, but ultimately the company's reputation is mixed. On Trustpilot, the company has a concerning average of just 1.2 stars. Customers complain regularly about delayed deliveries, irresponsible customer service, and support calls that lead to zero resolution in some cases. While the reviews about flavor seem to be positive, if Harry & David wants to stay competitive, it will need to make significant changes in its approach to customer service.
An average choice, but worth it for chocolate fans
At Harry & David, cupcake flavors are great, the prices are reasonable, and the shipping doesn't break the bank. This one-stop shop should be a top competitor. However, due to the negative reviews with a 1.2-star average on Trustpilot, Harry & David doesn't quite make it past a "just okay” rating as a cupcake delivery service. While it may still be worth your time to try the flavors (especially if you're a chocolate fan), for now, Harry & David earns a middle-tier score in our review due to concerns about customer service.
Baked by Melissa is a bakery that first started as a home baking endeavor that turned into a business. This NYC-based bakery is focused on mini cupcakes. The owner, Melissa, is passionate about her family and has recently released a cookbook so you can explore baking her cupcakes at home if you're enthusiastic about home baking. Baked by Melissa works with the community and makes regular donations to improve the planet, so you can feel good about your carbon footprint while you snack. Baked by Melissa is partnered with Girls Inc., Every Mother Counts, Dress for Success, and other non-profits to give back as much as possible.
Fun and colorful browsing experience
Baked by Melissa has a clean browsing experience that makes it simple to find what you need. The entire site is based around cupcakes, and you can either browse by flavor or check out cupcakes by event (birthday, Christmas, Baby, Thinking of You, Wedding, and more). The listings are colorful and show pictures of the packs of mini-cupcakes. You can see the titles, number of cupcakes, price, and star ratings while browsing. When you click through to the individual packages, you'll be able to see the different assortments available, gifting extras, and a brief scrolling description of each assortment (and the included flavors). You'll also get details on shipping and instructions on how to serve your cupcakes.
16 different cupcake packages
There are 16 different packages of mini cupcakes at Baked by Melissa. Some of these are boxes for gifting, like the Birthday Gift Box or Christmas Gift Box. All of the boxes include 25-100 cupcakes, and some offer multiple flavor assortments to choose from. Some pre-made packages, like the Holiday Cheer assortment, include 7 Christmas Sugar Cookie, 6 Vanilla Fluff, 6 Snowcap, and 6 Brookie cupcakes. On the other hand, the "Sending Love” package lets you choose between 6 different flavor assortments including gluten-free or vegan cupcakes. There are a minimum of 12 flavors that change out around the year on Baked by Melissa. The one difference between Baked by Melissa and other bakeries is that these mini cupcakes are truly "mini”. You can expect to get about one bite per cupcake.
Pricing from $37 to $135 for cupcake packages
The cupcakes at Baked by Melissa range from $37 to $135, depending on how many cupcakes you want. Most of the basic packages (that aren't for specific events) are $37. For example, the Latest & Greatest Cupcakes (25pc) is one of the $37 options while the Birthday Gift Box (25pc) is $47. The most costly cupcake package is the Dessert Table Cupcakes (100pc) which is $135.
Shipping from $15.95 to $24.95
Standard shipping (2 days) from Baked by Melissa was $15.95 for our area, making Baked by Melissa a reasonable choice in terms of shipping costs. If you want expedited shipping (1 day) it costs $24.95. For more specific shipping dates (like a birthday), you can schedule shipping ahead of time to arrive for a gift or specific occasion. Shipping goes to all US states including Hawaii and Alaska.
Missing a refund policy entirely
There are no listed policies for refunds or reshipments at Baked by Melissa. The FAQ covers almost everything else, but there is no mention of recourse for problems with your order. We found that Baked by Melissa does consider all orders to be "final”, so it's on you to make sure your order is correct at the time you submit payment. If you make an error, they recommend reaching out with the live chat, but they do not guarantee any help or changes. However, we couldn't find the live chat on the website. At this time you need to either call or email Baked by Melissa.
Mixed reviews and concerns about customer service
While Baked by Melissa has solid reviews on its own website, we're a bit concerned about its reputation on third-party review sites. Baked by Melissa is doing okay on Tursptilot with a 3.6-star average, but there are only 9 total reviews to back up this rating. However, the most recent reviews all praise the flavor and the on-time delivery when they shopped through Baked by Melissa. On the other hand, customers also complained that the service team was terrible. On top of this, Baked by Melissa holds an "F” rating and a 1.5-star average with the Better Business Bureau.
Try if you love mini cupcakes
While these mini cupcakes are a great gift idea for any occasion, the poor reviews and total lack of a refund or reship policy raise some serious concerns about ordering from Baked by Melissa. If you're a fan of cupcake minis, the range of rotating flavors could be a great place to try some bit-size treats from a homestyle baker. However, with the concerns about the customer service and the "F” rating from the BBB, Baked by Melissa just misses the mark in our review.
Magnolia Bakery has been around for over 25 years, offering baked goods of all kinds with old-fashioned recipes in small batches. From cakes to brownies or cookies to cupcakes, Magnolia Bakery has treats for every occasion. The company is based in the West Village of NYC where its red velvet cupcakes became an iconic treat for locals. Now, Magnolia Bakery ships across the US, sharing its specialized buttercream recipe with everyone.
Jump right into colorful cupcakes
Magnolia Bakery has a delightful browsing experience. You can easily find the cupcakes that are deliverable by clicking on the "Order Now” button. You can either shop by delivery date, or shop by treat, and cupcakes are fifth down the list. The cupcakes are sold in packs with photos of minis and full-size cupcakes. The listings include the cupcake name, a fun description (including all flavors offered in the pack), and the price. When you click through the individual cupcake packs, you'll find a full list of all ingredients, allergens, and any size options for the cupcakes (most come in a 12pc if you're opting for nationwide delivery).
15 packs of cupcakes but only 4 flavors
Magnolia Bakery offers 15 different packs of cupcakes, including holiday styles, birthday assortments, a "Best of New York” assortment, and their fan-favorite red velvet cupcakes. We saw around 4 flavors and noted most of the cupcakes were vanilla, chocolate, or a swirl of both. Other than the red velvet, there aren't a lot of unique cupcake flavors at Magnolia Bakery. You're looking more at buying the cute decorations, frosting, and sprinkles rather than cake flavors you've never tried before.
Pricing from $40 to $69 for shippable cupcakes
The pricing at Magnolia Bakery is reasonable, depending on what you grab. However, the listed prices are for the in-store pickup quantities (where you can order fewer cupcakes). For national delivery, you have to order a minimum number. So while it looks like the mini cupcakes range from $22 to $24, and the full-size cupcakes range from $24.90 to $55, the price range for those who reside outside of NYC is much higher. The Classic Mini Cupcake Assortment (24pc) is the lowest-cost mini cupcake pack for $40. The highest-priced option is the Holiday Candy Store Mini Cupcake Assortment (36pc) for $69. Birthday Cupcakes (12pc) come in at the lowest for the full size at $54, and the Winter Cupcakes (12pc) are the most expensive full size for $55. However, if you don't need holiday-themed decorations, you can easily get the same cupcakes for less at Magnolia Bakery.
Shipping costs around $35
Shipping is somewhat costly at Magnolia Bakery too. There was only one delivery option available for our area and we were quoted $35 for shipping and handling. This brought a $54 cupcake purchase up to $89 (over $90 if we added the optional shipping protection). You may be looking at a hefty bill for not a lot of special flavors or excitement when you shop with Magnolia Bakery.
Magnolia Bakery doesn't want to give you a refund
For any and all issues related to your order, Magnolia Bakery suggests that you contact their customer support email, and the FAQ states that every issue will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Magnolia Bakery considers cupcakes final sale, and they will not offer any refund for an order that's shipped nationwide. It also states there are no refunds for delays in shipping. If you hope for any kind of recourse, you'll need to email the support team within 5 days of your original purchase date with proof of purchase.
Mixed reviews and issues with flavor
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Magnolia Bakery's lackluster customer service policies, Magnolia Bakery currently holds a "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, customer reviews are minimal online with only 6 reviews on Trustpilot and 2 reviews on the BBB (both of which were 1 star). In general, complaints focus on issues with Magnolia Bakery's shipping. Customers were also "underwhelmed” by the flavor options and the final taste of the expensive cupcakes. There is some good news on Tripadvisor where Magnolia Bakery has the most reviews (and a 4-star average). Locals love the banana pudding specifically; however, there are plenty of complaints about the staff and about the cakes not tasting "special”.
A boring selection for most cupcake fans
If Magnolia Bakery is going to focus on simple flavors, they really need to knock it out of the park. According to reviews, this simply isn't the case. With high prices, mid-tier cupcake offerings, and a lackluster customer service policy, this bakery doesn't stand out among the pack. It may be worth a look if you're a huge fan of vanilla cupcakes (or you live in NYC), but for most cupcake fans, Magnolia Bakery won't be a first pick.
If you're wondering if this Williams Sonoma is the same store you think of when you imagine fancy cookware, impressive kitchen decor, and a high-end home, you'd be right. And yes, they sell pre-made cupcakes. If you're unfamiliar with this cooking powerhouse, Williams Sonoma is a high-end store for cookware and treats that's under the same umbrella as Pottery Barn, and Mark and Graham. While you can get cupcake mix (and all sorts of fun treats to bake yourself) at the Williams Sonoma stores, they also have plenty of snacks that you can grab without the hassle of making it on your own. The cupcake assortments give you a fun gourmet feel in cute box sets of 8 or 12.
Informative website and simple browsing
To find cupcakes on Williams Sonoma, you'll want to head to the food tab where you'll find "Cakes, Cupcakes, & Pies” on the dropdown menu. From there, you can use the filters to narrow the choices down to just cupcakes. Since Williams Sonoma doesn't specialize in cupcakes, there aren't a lot of options, but the listings are designed to look very enticing with multiple flavors in each photo and creative frosting and decorations. The listings tell you the name of the box set, the number of cupcakes in each, and the price. When you click through, you'll see additional details like the bakers that are behind the cupcakes you're buying, the full list of cupcake flavors, shipping instructions for frozen cupcakes, a full list of ingredients, and shipping and return policies.
5 boxes but over 22 flavors to try
Despite having a low number of cupcake packages (just 5 options of 8 or 12 cupcakes) compared to some of its competitors, Williams Sonoma has plenty of flavors to pick from. We saw unique options like Peanut Butter Fudge, Key Lime, Coconut, Chocolate Squared, Carrot, Cookies & Creme, and Lava Fudge. Williams Sonoma also offers fan-favorite staples like Red Velvet, Vanilla Birthday, and Chocolate & Vanilla. You can also find a range of seasonal cupcake boxes with even more fun flavors like Chocolate Eggnog, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Snowball, Gingerbread, and more. There are around 22+ individual flavors for sale through Williams Sonoma.
Pricing from $74.95 to $89.95
With the exception of one cupcake box, the prices at Williams Sonoma are all the same: $74.95 for a box of 12 cupcakes (including gluten-free flavors). Whether you want holiday or standard flavors, you can grab any of the Williams Sonoma cupcakes for the same price. There's only one exception: the Williams Sonoma Peppermint Bark Cupcakes for $89.95. If you're familiar with the Williams Sonoma Peppermint Bark (a holiday favorite for many), you'll love this treat.
Shipping for $16
Williams Sonoma's shipping costs are highly competitive at only $16 per order. The only drawback is that the specialized shipping for the cupcakes is only within the 48 contiguous states in the US. So, if you live in Hawaii or Alaska, you're out of luck. For most customers, though, this is a good deal on shipping (which helps a little to make up for the cost of the cupcakes). Plus, you may be eligible for in-store pickup, which can solve the shipping costs, if you live near a Williams Sonoma retail location.
No returns for food items
Williams Sonoma does not currently offer any form of return policy or cancellation for food products, which are all considered final sale. Based on the policy, which focuses entirely on refunds for items that are returned, it is unclear if Williams Sonoma offers any recourse for customers who experience problems with their orders.
Pattern of complaint and serious issues with deliveries
Regrettably, Williams Sonoma has an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau and a noted pattern of complaints for delayed shipments and issues with delivery. At the time of our review, the BBB reached out to Williams Sonoma for comment and had received no reply. However, the news is just as bad at other third-party review sites. On Trustpilot, Williams Sonoma has just 1.3 stars out of 5. Customers complain about the service representatives not solving issues, missing items from orders, incorrect orders, and having difficulty with returns for items that were listed as returnable by the policy.
Too many problems, not enough cupcakes
If you're a Williams Sonoma superfan, you'll probably love their cupcakes no matter what. If you're not…you might want to check out one of our top-rated cupcake shops instead. Williams Sonoma has higher-than-average costs for its cupcakes, and if you're getting it shipped to you, your final order could be over $100 for 8 cupcakes. With zero refunds for food items, a serious pattern of complaints from the BBB, and an "F” rating, this might be a better bakery to put on the back burner for now.
Cookies By Design was founded by Gwen Willhite as a site to provide memorable sweet treats as gifts for loved ones. Created for cookies in the beginning, Cookies By Design now offers a range of sweet treats including cookies, cookie cakes, cookie arrangements, and cupcakes. The company was founded in 1983 and has now been in business for over 30 years. You can find some of Gwen's retail locations (under the name Cookie Bouquet) in Texas.
Hard to find cupcakes on this cookie store
Finding cupcakes on Cookies By Design takes a lot of work. At first glance, it appears that the only thing Cookies By Design sells is cookie-related treats and gifts. If you try to find cupcakes through the navigation buttons, you may end up never finding the cupcakes. The fastest way to get what you want is to type "cupcake” in the search bar, and you'll find all the results. The listings show the name, flavor, and price of each cupcake. On the listing pages themselves, the details for individual cupcakes are pretty minimal. You'll get a brief description of the flavor and see that all cupcakes are sold by the dozen.
6 flavors to pick from
The flavor options are fairly limited at Cookies By Design. There are 6 total flavors but that's pretty much all. At Cookies By Design, these limited flavors are basic (without any standout mixes) with options like:
If you're looking for unique flavors or those that you've never tried before, you may be disappointed by the cupcake selection at Cookies By Design.
All packages priced at $44.99
All of the cupcake packages at Cookies By Design are the same price. You'll get 12 cupcakes for the cost of $44.99. You can choose either 12 of the same flavor or an assortment of all six flavors (2 cupcakes with each flavor). This makes it simple to grab, but the limited options mean you won't find any specialized cupcakes for your dietary needs - even for an upcharge.
Shipping around $17.50 per order
There is one snag to the shipping. Cookies By Design does not ship everywhere. While we were clear in our area, all of the cupcakes required you to put in your zip code before you could add them to your shopping cart. There's no way to know if your area is served until you check. If you can get the cupcakes delivered in your area, you'll be asked to select a preferred delivery date (from any time between 2 days ahead to weeks in advance). The cost was $17.50 in our area on any delivery date we chose.
100% satisfaction guarantee
On the bright side, Cookies By Design offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren't satisfied with the quality, freshness, or presentation of a treat you bought from Cookies By Design, the company promises to make it right. You just need to call or email the customer service team to get the process started. While there is no specific mention of what will be offered, the guarantee is listed under the "refund policy” section of Cookies By Design's terms.
Reviews show terrible quality control
Regrettably, Cookies By Design has a poor reputation on Trustpilot and an abysmal "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On Trustpilot, the bakery has just 1 total review with a 1-star rating. The complaint focuses on a cookie arrangement but shows some startlingly bad quality control issues at Cookies By Design including missing cookies, the wrong items sent in the basket, issues with broken cookies, and mishandling of the package during transit. The reviews on the BBB show similar issues with missed delivery dates and issues with missing packages.
Not worth the hassle and quality issues
Considering the issues with quality control and minimal customer reviews online, we don't feel comfortable recommending Cookies By Design for its cupcakes. There really aren't any pros for this site other than the fair prices. The cupcakes are basic and you don't have many flavors to choose from. Plus, with an "F” rating from the BBB, you can definitely find better quality and customer service elsewhere. For this reason, Cookies By Design earns one of our lowest ratings for their cupcakes in our review.
The cupcake got its start in 1796 when Amelia Simmons put a "cake to bake in cups” in her cookbook, and according to research, cupcakes are among the top two favorite treats in the US (tied with cake). Unsurprisingly, Valentine's Day is one of the top holidays where cupcakes are a fan-favorite treat to give to your special someone. With the rise of options for dietary restrictions too (like a new trend of gluten-free cupcakes), cupcakes are still one of the most popular sweets to date.
Shipping cupcakes may sound difficult - trust us, we know the struggle of just trying to get cupcakes home from the grocery store without ruining the frosting - but these bakeries have it down to a science. Most bakeries that send cupcakes have special packaging, tried-and-true shipping methods, and expedited shipping times so that the cupcakes you order online are exactly what you see when they get to your door.
And there are tons of flavors to choose from. Whether you want a chocolate cupcake that beats your home-made box mix, a professionally made carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting, or unique flavors like tiramisu or funfetti, these bakeries offer a smorgasbord of flavors and designs to choose from. So, if you want to try every flavor out there, or hunt down a family favorite, choosing a bakery that offers delivery services is one of the best ways to expand your cupcake palate.
If you're ready to turn your home into a sweet-lover's dream, but don't know which bakery to choose, we've got you covered. Here are some factors that can help you get the best cupcakes online:
To help you find the best service to satisfy your cupcake cravings, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top cupcake delivery services out there today. So, what are you waiting for? From classic favorites to creative creamy frosting, you're sure to discover your next cupcake delight. Bon appetit!
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