Nadia Cakes

February 21, 2010

Palmdale, California – While visiting Pickup Stix one day for lunch, I noticed the store next door. It was called Nadia Cakes. What caught my attention was the fact that they offered one sole product: cupcakes. Though I didn’t have time to stop in that day, there was no question I’d be back.

When I did come back, I spent the first few minutes just drooling over what Nadia Cakes had on display. In the display counters they have the day’s flavors. Menus are available to further whet your appetite. If it’s not out on display, it can be ordered. Don’t see it on the menu? Ask them. They can probably create it for you given enough notice. In fact, in addition to being a cupcake shop – the only one in the Antelope Valley as of now – they are a custom cake studio. So if you are looking for a unique cake for a special occasion like a wedding, graduation, etc., you’re in the right place.

Along the walls are shelves with replicas of their creations. There’s a sitting area sectioned off from the main serving area where guests can enjoy one of Team Nadia Cakes’ creations. It’s kind of like a café within a cupcake shop.

After I stopped drooling I decided on the Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cupcake and the Espresso Cupcake. Both are part of their signature cakes collection. I got them to go and was treated to a surprise: the packaging. (Alright, so little things make me happy). They have specially formed containers that hold 2, 4, or 12 cupcakes. To the container they tape their unique company tags.

Speaking of the company, apparently owner/founder Abby Jimenez has had a storybook ride. She started out baking just for her family. A few years and many awards later, here she is with her own cupcake shop and custom cake studio. I’m glad she chose the AV to set up shop.

With all this anticipation building, I couldn’t wait to get my hands – and teeth – on those cupcakes. First to go was the Peanut Butter Cup. It has pieces of Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup® and peanut butter morsels on top of a peanut butter-flavored icing. This tasted very good. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too sweet. But the cupcake itself didn’t meet the standard set by the icing. Not that it wasn’t good. It’s just that it wasn’t anything special. I don’t know what would have taken it up to the next level but if Nadia’s can find whatever it is, look out.

On to the Espresso. It was a filled cake (that in itself is enough to try one. It’s what made my decision) therefore cost a bit more. This one came with a rolled wafer cookie stuck in the icing. Because it had been sitting in the icing for a while before I ate it, it had become a bit soggy. No matter. It still tasted good. The icing was an espresso butter cream frosting. Biting into the cake, my mouth encountered the espresso mousse filing. Tasty. Just a hint of espresso flavor. But wait! What’s this? A chocolate and vanilla espresso filling. Surprise! A filling in a filling! A couple more bites and this puppy was gone. And a minute later I wished I had ordered another one.

Of the two, my favorite was the espresso. They have so many different ones to try. I’m looking forward to trying a few more next time. Maybe I’ll get four of them.

Next time you have a sweet tooth, try Nadia Cakes. They’re sure to have a flavor or two you are partial to. If not, as I said earlier, give them enough notice and they can make it for you. Why not pick up a dozen cupcakes or more for your next party?

Nadia Cakes – 4 forks. Highly recommended. But they “cannot be responsible for any addictions that ensue from consuming our products.”