In this installment of the KC Bride  Guide I made my way to the delicious BabyCakes – the debut gourmet cupcake  bakery in the River Market & KC area – to look at an adorable and economical alternative to the traditional wedding cakes. Oh, and totally get my sweet fix on!! As expected, this place is cute. And right as you walk in  there is a giant case choc full of seasonal and daily cupcakes smothered in an array of buttercream icing flavors…heavenly! Their daily flavors are red velvet, chocolate, lemon, vanilla, carrot and strawberry and if you hurry, you can catch the caramel before they switch to banana, pineapple and orange in  June- August. The best part is  THEY DELIVER!! 816.841.1048

For  the bride & groom BabyCakes offers custom designs, advice/creativity, delivery to your reception as well as tier rentals. They will go out of their way to make sure your cake exactly what you want!

I was fortunate  enough to take home a cupcake sampler after my visit so I can verify that the  flavors are (making me drool just thinking about them) rich and sweet and  the cake is moist and oh so fresh.

BabyCakes has received a great amount of attention!

The lovely owner of BabyCakes, Laura took the time to chat with  me and answer a few of my questions listed below:

– Describe the inspiration behind being a  bakery with  a cupcake specialty.

I never  mastered any of the finer pastry recipes – cream puffs, croissant, yeast  products – too many variables!

My mom always had a policy about recipes -  anything over 5 ingredients was too difficult, and I guess that applies to  cupcakes. If you use really good ingredients, you don’t have to throw in too  many other distractions. Friendly, easy to approach and eat food is what most people like. If you need a dictionary to figure out what you’re about  to eat it takes a bit of the fun and spontaneity out of it.

– When working with an  couple in need of your  delicious cupcakes for their wedding, what is  the process?

We like to make the cupcake selection process the easiest part of  planning a wedding. Come in, pick out whatever flavors you think you, family  and friends might want to try, take them home and have your own tasting. Our  shop is only ten feet wide with no place for a formal tasting, so it’s more  practical and leisurely to take them home. Then call with quantities,  flavors and decoration ideas, where and when you want them delivered and  set, credit card number and an email address to send the contract and that’s  it.

– You have an unlimited budget and complete creative control… what would you dream wedding day cake display be?

Probably a bunch of every single flavor we make with every icing we make, with bright floral colors accented on all. But not set on a traditional tiered pedestal.

I like the idea of a long table with a bunch of different smaller  cake plates, stands, platters at different heights with lots of votive  candles and satiny fabric covering the table. Like a sea of  sweets.

– BabyCakes has so many fantastic  cupcake flavors to  choose from; how did you compile your menu?

Basics had to  be chocolate, vanilla, lemon and carrot. Red velvet caught on like wildfire,  so that became a year round, along with strawberry. The others were created  out of employee input, personal favorites and experimentation during slow  afternoons.

–  Describe  yourself and BabyCakes in 3 words.

Down to earth.

The gourmet cupcake and fine chocolate delights offered  by BabyCakes are created by a highly trained pastry chef and come in a variety  of sizes – mini (please order 4 days in advance), regular and jumbo so I would  suggest grabbing your dozens ASAP!!