Kick*ss Cupcakes

I had been anticipating the arrival of a new shop in Somerville for quite a while, and finally, in early September, the doors were opened.  I had greedily dreamt about this shop and all of its possibilities, and was finally going to partake in the long awaited opening of Kick*ss Cupcakes, a new independent cupcake bakery.  By the way, the star in the name is part of the name…I’m not just being polite.

The building itself is rather unassuming on Highland Ave., boasting its name in neon lights in the window.  A few tables and chairs on the sidewalk add a nice touch.  The store itself is simple and efficient in design.  When you walk in, there are glassed bakers racks with assorted cupcakes right in front of you, and just to the right, there is the cash register.  You could buy coffee and candy there as well, but truthfully, why would you when there are cupcakes?  On the two occasions (so far) that I have had the occasion to partake in Kick*ss Cupcakes, I have had two different people help me, and both were wonderfully friendly.  One was the owner/baker, who was busy making the cupcakes on my first visit but did not seem put-off by my interruption, and the other was a hired cupcake helper.  Both were enthusiastic about cupcakes, as well they should be.  They helped me get my cupcakes and were genuinely nice, which almost always spells success in small business.

The cupcakes come in many varieties, and are trans fat and artificial ingredient free.  Each individual cake costs 2.75 (a bit steep, but worth it), and there is a ten dollar minimum on all charge card usage, so what else was I to do?  I ordered a dozen cupcakes the first time, and four the second time.  Did I eat most of these myself?  You bet…I call it research.

The flavors of cupcake I tried were widely varied, but include the following types:  chocolate, vanilla, mojito, double chocolate, ginger, fortune cupcakes, and fruit cobbler.  Each cupcake was special in its own way, but the one thing that did not vary was the quality.  All were freshly baked, and the cake was light and moist.  The icing was fluffy and plentiful, and the wonderfully inventive flavors will have me coming back for many more visits.  Other flavors include cheesecake, strawberry, deep-fried, carob and peanut butter (for dogs), goldfish cracker (for cats), savory cupcake sandwiches and many more.

I urge you to support local business and buy many dozens of these cupcakes.  The staff was very nice, and the cupcakes are fantastic.  You would be the hero at work if you brought in a box of these little cakes, and you would spoil yourself at the same time.  Go indulge yourself.  Kick*ss Cupcakes lives up to its namesake.