Sliced bread is often billed as the world’s best invention. We’re not here to argue that it’s a strong contender, but so is the cupcake. A personal tiny cake in a cup-like wrap? Yes, please. No longer just a treat limited to kiddie birthdays, gourmet cupcakes have proven to have staying power. Think vanilla pound cake cupcakes and coconut confections with the creamiest of cream cheese. A cherry on top? Nice. An Oreo on top? Now we’re talking.
These mouthwatering ideas aren’t just our Pinterest-fueled fantasies. These flavors are found at local bakeries and cake makers throughout the North Fork. From longstanding establishments that draw sweet-tooths from all over the Island to contemporary food trucks, these are the best spots to find cupcakes on the North Fork.
Ali Katz Kitchen, 55 County Road 48, Mattituck, 631-298-7694
Baking was a second career for Ali Katz, who left the garment industry to attend what’s now called the International Culinary Center in the early aughts. The North Fork sweets scene is better for it. Katz and her husband, Fritz Beckmann, opened Ali Katz Kitchen in 2018. The kitchen and small-batch bakery uses local ingredients to create foods and treats that taste like home. The coconut cupcakes (available for preorder for Valentine’s Day — perfect for people whose sweethearts have sweet-tooths) are the runaway hit. “People love our coconut cupcakes because they are very coco-nutty, and the cream cheese frosting is creamy and delicious,” Katz says. The coconut flakes on top add a final layer of delight.
NoFo Flour Shoppe, Jamesport, 631- 983-9800
Pasty chef Meghan Saccone’s pandemic pivot to launching her own bakery business from home in 2020 has proven to have sweet staying power. These days, you can find NoFo Flour Shoppe desserts on local restaurant menus and at Mattituck Cinemas. See the NoFo Flour Shoppe food truck at a local fair or festival, and you’ll probably also see a wraparound line. Creative cupcakes are one of many calling cards. Saccone has done chocolate cupcakes with cocoa puffs that people went coo-coo for. NoFo Flour Shoppe is baking the most festive cupcakes for people who preorder for Valentine’s Day. Topped with floral and heart-shaped designs and sparkles, they look (almost) too good to eat. Speaking of sparkles, NoFo Flour Shoppe is partnering with Sparkling Pointe this Valentine’s Day for a cupcake and wine-tasting menu from Feb. 14–17.
Blue Duck Bakery, Multiple Locations
Blue Duck Bakery has been anything but vanilla since it opened its first East End spot in 1999. Keith Kouris specialized in breads, baguettes and more — people loved those from Montauk to Manhattan. But the buttery danishes and so-flaky croissants quickly became all the rage. Blue Duck also makes seasonal cupcakes for every holiday. However, the vanilla pound cake gets top billing from customers. Creamy, buttery and subtly vanilla, the cupcakes are like a gentle hug for tastebuds. Like your cupcakes with a side of vino? Blue Duck regularly does cupcake pairings with Pindar.
The Treatery, 1564 Main Road, Jamesport, 631-779-2883
Once dubbed “Cupcakes and Everything Chocolate,” The Treatery’s cupcakes are still everything. A generous menu includes five quintessential and fun flavors (chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, funfetti and cookies ‘n cream) plus a choice of rich buttercream or downright airy Swiss meringue buttercream on top. Speaking of air, the Treatery transformed a 1964 Shasta Airflyte camper into a dessert truck on wheels. The pastel pink and white retro-fit exterior is rivaled only by the sweetness served from the window.
Celeste Bakery, 857 Old Country Road, Riverhead, 631-381-0747
This family-owned spot in Riverhead is sandwiched between a Metro PCS and UPS store in Riverhead, but don’t let the unassuming appearance fool you. Recently re-opened after a brief hiatus for renovation, Celeste Bakery’s creative gourmet toppings include cherries, Oreos, brownie bits and crumbs. You’re hard-pressed to find one you don’t like.
Junda’s Pastry Crust & Crumbs, 1612 Main Road, Jamesport, 631-722-4999
Found in a homey, green-trimmed 18th-century farmhouse on Jamesport’s Main Road, Junda’s Pastry Crust & Crumbs doesn’t just look like a throwback experience. It offers one. Everything is made from scratch — the pies, pound cakes and, yes, the cupcakes. Jamesport resident Chris Junda, who learned to bake from his grandmothers, is the brains and baker behind all the goodness at Junda’s. Junda continues to provide home-sweet-home touches to customers, talking them through proper storage or helping pairs pick the perfect wedding cake filling. Cupcakes are also for the gobbling. Among the cupcakes that will leave you licking your lips (and fingers) are Chocolate with chocolate frosting and sprinkles and all-American ones with blue icing and a berry on top for Memorial Day.
