My friend Amanda and I set out on another bakery hunt, this time in sunny San Diego. Since it’s only about an hour’s drive for me, I headed up to meet her and we started our day at Elizabethan Desserts Bakery. Tucked inside a charming nursery and flower shop, the bakery feels intimate and inviting—an ideal spot to sample cupcakes.
We ordered a mini of every flavor we could, unable to resist the display. With playful names like Bees Knees, Chocolate Toffee and Monkey Business, the cupcakes looked as tempting as they sounded.
More shots of cupcake goodness
The rose-topped “Plain Jane” was impossibly cute, and the red velvet with cream cheese frosting quickly became one of my favorites. Each mini cupcake showcased careful decorating and memorable flavor.
The Mustachio was almost too adorable to enjoy at first—its pistachio buttercream was outstanding and well worth slicing through that whimsical mustache.
This one called “Black Beauty” was the most photogenic of the bunch and tasted just as good as it looked.
The Ho Daddy Chocolate was the first we cut into and might be the best chocolate cupcake I’ve had—rich, moist, and perfectly balanced.
After indulging, we wandered through the flower shop to poke around and burn off a few calories. The owner was kind enough to take a couple of photos of us amid the blooms.
We kept moving and took a walk along La Jolla Beach—perfectly beachy and a lovely way to enjoy the afternoon.
For lunch we stopped at Pappalecco, a cozy spot known for sandwiches and gelato. My sandwich was so good I’ve been tempted to make the drive back just for it.
Amanda enjoyed a pizza that looked delicious—perfect fuel for more tasting and exploring.
Later that afternoon we treated ourselves to the elegant offerings at Extraordinary Desserts.
The pastry presentation there is stunning. We spent time photographing every beautiful dessert—worth the higher price for the experience and the visual feast.
The Dulce de Leche Cake, spotlighted on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate, stood out to me and ended up being my favorite selection of the day.
Amanda chose a lovely Strawberry Shortcake—visually gorgeous and beautifully balanced.
The Pots de Crème looked perfect in photos, though in taste it was only average—not bad, but not outstanding.
As a Creme Brûlée enthusiast, I try it whenever I can. This one earned a respectable 6 out of 10—pretty and creamy, but missing a certain depth that would have elevated it.
We loved watching little birds hop around the table, finishing up crumbs. They were witty little diners!
Our final stop was Babycakes, a cute bakery with plenty of tempting options. I took my order home to enjoy later with my family—my husband and kids devoured them, so I’m guessing they were a hit.
The cupcakes we sampled were delightful, each with its own charm and flavor. The variety made the day feel like a mini dessert tour.
A cute to-go box wrapped up our day of indulgence. Thanks for joining us on this sweet San Diego adventure!
Amanda also shared her highlights from the trip in a post—it’s always a treat when we explore together. Stay tuned for more sweet travels.