Mmmmm! National Geographic has a great list of 25 Cupcakeries They Love; because you should never be too far away from cupcakes! Some places of interest (for family and friends):
ATLANTA:
The Atlanta Cupcake Factory
Most unusual flavor: Orange Ganache (orange cake with an orange-infused dark chocolate ganache frosting topped with a mandarin orange slice). Price: $2.50-3LAS VEGAS:
The Cupcakery
Most unusual flavor: Good Morning, Cupcake! (yellow cake with cinnamon swirl topped with a sweet glaze). Price: $2.75NEW YORK CITY:
Buttercup Bake Shop
Most unusual flavor: Lady Baltimore (almond-flavored white cake filled with coconut, candied cherries, cookie crumbs, and almonds; frosted with meringue and topped with coconut, cookie crumble, and cherry halves). Price: $1.95-2.25
Cupcake Café
Most unusual flavor: Bohemian (walnut cake with maple buttercream). Price: $2.50-3.50
Dessert Club, ChikaLicious
Most unusual flavor: S’mores. Price: $1.60-2.25
Magnolia Bakery
Most unusual flavor: Hummingbird (a Southern cake of bananas, pineapple, and pecans with cream cheese frosting topped with toasted pecans). Price: $2.50-3
Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery
Most unusual flavor: Pistachio Cake with “The Moose” (a meringue-like buttercream icing that’s “not too sweet”). Price: $1.50PORTLAND, OREGON
Cupcake Jones
Most unusual flavor: Peanut Butter ‘n Jelly (white cake filled with homemade berry jam, topped with peanut butter icing, berry drizzle, and chopped peanuts). Price: $1.50-3.25
Saint Cupcake
Most unusual flavor: Turtle (chocolate cake topped with caramel, a drizzle of hot fudge, and a pecan). Price: $1.25-2.50SAN FRANCISCO
Kara’s Cupcakes
Most unusual flavor: Fleur De Sel (chocolate cupcake with caramel filling, ganache frosting and fleur de sel). Price: $3.25
That Takes the Cake
Most unusual flavor: Samoa (double chocolate devil’s food cake with caramel filling and caramel cream cheese frosting topped with toasted coconut). Price: $2.95-3.25