There are days when I crave a good cupcake. It’s just unfortunate that when those days come, it’s usually over the weekend when I’m completely not in the mood to drive into BH to wait in line at Sprinkles, or to bring home those huge hunks of cupcakes from Crumbs. Even worse –rolling out of bed and driving myself to the nearest Ralph’s for something out of the bakery section (which isn’t absolutely unfortunate, but still not quite the same). I’m a person who craves novelty. I enjoy the mystique behind a cupcake from a full-throttle cupcake/bake shop.
In Santa Monica, there’ve been a few to pop-up. My personal local SaMo favorite is Vanilla Bake Shop on Wilshire. Owners Amy and Jeremy Berman consider their mother as the inspiration for all the confections at Vanilla. They consider their mom’s thoughtfulness, and their inherent “sweet tooth,” to be the cornerstone of the Vanilla Bake Shop experience.
And it works.
Walking up Wilshire from the Promenade, VBS meets you almost as if it’s a little boutique
shop along Montana Ave. The store’s awning is a mesh between Victorian pomp and modern chic. As you walk in, it’s almost as if you’re walking into bakery heaven: everything seems to be stark-white. In actuality, everything probably isn’t exactly white, but there is enough white in there to make your inner-child want to grab a Crayon and start coloring all over (because we all carry Crayons in our pockets). Nonetheless, the room is like a clean-freak’s dream-come-true; the color emanating from the glass case of yummerific cupcakes.
VBS offers a daily menu of six cupcake flavors: Vanilla Bean, Southern Red Velvet, Bittersweet Dark Chocolate, Mom’s Birthday Cake, Black & White, and Chocolate Vanilla Bean. Alongside these daily staples are “rotating specials” that are specific to the day of the week. For instance, on Wednesday’s VBS offers an “Old Fashioned” that is made with bourbon dark chocolate cake, whip cream center, vanilla bean frosting, white chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Then on Saturday’s you’ll find a “Meyer Lemon Raspberry” made of yellow butter cake, lemon curd center, vanilla bean frosting and raspberries.
Cupcakes at VBS run you about $3.25 each. There are also “cupcake babies” which sell for three (3) for $5.00. VBS also whips up whole cakes that look like they’ve come straight out of a cartoon – vibrant colors with simple, yet modern, embellishments. With 48-hrs notice, you can order a cake to serve anywhere from 4-8 to 40-60 people. This little bake shop also offers assorted sweets in old fashioned Mason jars: Dirt Cake (layers of bittersweet Callebaut chocolate mousse, crushed dark chocolate crumbles and sweetened fresh whip cream blended with crushed Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans) and Amy’s Tiramisu (freshly baked golden lady fingers soaked in sweetened Italian espresso, layered with Mascarpone whipped cream and Valrhona cocoa), to name a couple. Large jars serve four at $20.00, while a small jar costs you $10.00. There are also a rotating list of seasonal flavors of French Macaroons, and assorted cookies and bite-sized tarts.
In Santa Monica, there’ve been a few to pop-up. My personal local SaMo favorite is Vanilla Bake Shop on Wilshire. Owners Amy and Jeremy Berman consider their mother as the inspiration for all the confections at Vanilla. They consider their mom’s thoughtfulness, and their inherent “sweet tooth,” to be the cornerstone of the Vanilla Bake Shop experience.And it works.
Walking up Wilshire from the Promenade, VBS meets you almost as if it’s a little boutique
shop along Montana Ave. The store’s awning is a mesh between Victorian pomp and modern chic. As you walk in, it’s almost as if you’re walking into bakery heaven: everything seems to be stark-white. In actuality, everything probably isn’t exactly white, but there is enough white in there to make your inner-child want to grab a Crayon and start coloring all over (because we all carry Crayons in our pockets). Nonetheless, the room is like a clean-freak’s dream-come-true; the color emanating from the glass case of yummerific cupcakes.VBS offers a daily menu of six cupcake flavors: Vanilla Bean, Southern Red Velvet, Bittersweet Dark Chocolate, Mom’s Birthday Cake, Black & White, and Chocolate Vanilla Bean. Alongside these daily staples are “rotating specials” that are specific to the day of the week. For instance, on Wednesday’s VBS offers an “Old Fashioned” that is made with bourbon dark chocolate cake, whip cream center, vanilla bean frosting, white chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Then on Saturday’s you’ll find a “Meyer Lemon Raspberry” made of yellow butter cake, lemon curd center, vanilla bean frosting and raspberries.
Cupcakes at VBS run you about $3.25 each. There are also “cupcake babies” which sell for three (3) for $5.00. VBS also whips up whole cakes that look like they’ve come straight out of a cartoon – vibrant colors with simple, yet modern, embellishments. With 48-hrs notice, you can order a cake to serve anywhere from 4-8 to 40-60 people. This little bake shop also offers assorted sweets in old fashioned Mason jars: Dirt Cake (layers of bittersweet Callebaut chocolate mousse, crushed dark chocolate crumbles and sweetened fresh whip cream blended with crushed Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans) and Amy’s Tiramisu (freshly baked golden lady fingers soaked in sweetened Italian espresso, layered with Mascarpone whipped cream and Valrhona cocoa), to name a couple. Large jars serve four at $20.00, while a small jar costs you $10.00. There are also a rotating list of seasonal flavors of French Macaroons, and assorted cookies and bite-sized tarts.
Have your confections gift boxed for a little extra, and/or place your orders for weddings and other special events. The VBS experience is one that is sure to leave you with a smile on your face, and the need for a nap. The flavors are sweet, but not excessive. The desserts are dainty, and not over-complicated. And the shop is cozy enough for a quick bite, and a laugh (or two).
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