Review: C’mere Cupcake

You might say I have a soft spot for cupcakes.  It’s very possible.  Always on the hunt for the newest cupcake spot to try out, I was happy to see a review in our newspaper of a new place, C’mere Cupcake.  Don’tcha just love the name?  Star-Ledger’s Munchmobile went on a day-long journey over the summer, visiting cupcake places all over the Garden State (Hello?  I’m still waiting for my invite!), and C’mere Cupcake was one of their stops.

The kids and I first visited the shop about a month ago, and we recently returned when Sarah was here.  Although not necessarily an important criteria when evaluating cupcake shops, it’s worthy to note: this place, so far, has the best parking.  It’s not on a crazy-busy street with parallel parking like Billy’s.  It’s not on a downtown street with a 3-spot parking lot like Mr. Cupcakes.  It’s tucked into a quiet little strip mall that gets very little traffic.  While that is good for us when we visit the cupcake shop, I hope they get enough traffic to remain viable.

I love the owners.  A father and daughter team, they are friendly, down-to-earth and willing to engage in conversation.  And their staff?  Just the same.  The first time I went, I was talking to the owner about prices of cupcakes, and we both agreed that they have gotten a little bit out of hand.  When I mentioned a recent $4 cupcake I discovered, he knew exactly which place I was talking about.

When you enter the shop, it’s got a cute little lounge-y vibe to it, with comfortable seating in the front by the glass window.  They have a fish tank, a chess game set up and books out for your perusal; it’s set up to beckon you to sit, enjoy your dessert and stay awhile.  Love that.

When I went with the kids, Nick got a chocolate cupcake with peppermint buttercream frosting and I got a peanut butter and jelly one.  He picked off all the frosting and just ate his cake.  No, I don’t know what’s wrong with him.  I took a bite of his frosting and promptly went off to get one of my own.  Amazing mint buttercream frosting. 

For Madeline?  They have naked cupcakes.  I love that idea.  Cupcakes without the frosting are perfect for her.  That day, they had a carrot cake version, which she loved.

Now when we went back with Sarah, we made sure to get the peppermint ones again, but then I spied something they called a Dream Bar (pictured at the very top).  OMG.  Seriously.  OMG.  I am sure my foodie card will be revoked because, for the life of me, I’d be hard-pressed to describe the taste of the actual bar.  First, the topping.  I asked about it, and they said it’s a cream cheese frosting.  I’m not a big fan of cream cheese frosting and barely like it on carrot cake, but this was, hands down, the best I’ve ever had.  As for the bar itself, the consistency is a little like pecan pie, with hints of cinnamon and a shortbread-type crust.  I asked for more details and they volunteered to email me the recipe.  As soon as I get it, I’m making them, but in the meantime, I’ll just continue to drool over them.  To go to a cupcake shop and wax rhapsodic about a non-cupcake just tells you how good it is.

The prices are very reasonable (the cupcakes were $1.75 each), the service stellar, the shop cute … I don’t have to tell you that we’ll be back.  Again and again.  Just to do our share to support a cupcake shop, of course.  And if you’re in the area, please drop in.  If for nothing else, for the Dream Bars.

C’mere Cupcake
Patriot Plaza
57 Rt 46
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
908-850-0260