Lost in Transportation

Passed around like a baton, Velvet Frost’s box of cupcakes changed many hands to get from Andheri to our Cuffe Parade office: from baker to baker’s sister, from baker’s sister to her chauffeur, from driver to bpb’s admin head, and then finally, to us. Phew! Another round? We (and the others in the chain) will pass, thanks.

A new contender in Mumbai's cupcake race, the odds were looking quite good for Velvet Frost, who went to great lengths to ensure that we got our vanillas and chocolate ganaches (only two flavours available), even though they don't deliver (the Secret Scouters called in anonymously, of course, so no baker’s bias was involved). And they were pretty too! 

Unfortunately, somewhere during the race, Velvet Frost ran out of steam. Our binoculars (and buds) revealed that their cupcakes were nowhere near the finish line. Or even close to the top players.

If It Looks Like Chocolate and Tastes Like Chocolate

Our order: five chocolate and one vanilla. The only cupcake that looked different - it had bright blue icing and yellow sprinkles - tasted a lot like the chocolate ones, and didn't seem to bear traces of vanilla. The others had yum tops, but not all was well below the frost; the cake tasted more like a packet mix, and just wasn’t rich or moist enough. Not our cup(cake) of tea.

In a city teeming with confectioners who don't just dress cupcakes in their best, but also ensure that they’re super yum, Velvet Frost’s bakes really need to pick up some speed. Until then, you'll find the bpb crew hanging with the winning superjock - an intensely handsome dark chocolate cupcake from Natalia's Kitchen.

Getting there: Velvet Frost, to order call 9699902553 or join their Facebook group here, start at Rs 35 per cupcake; Natalia's Kitchen, Breach Candy, call 23522540, no home delivery.