Trophy Cupcakes and Party sweetens up Wallingford Center

You can't miss this new cupcake boutique – just look for the charming chocolate and vanilla striped awnings. The retro-flavored bakery is appropriately located in the Wallingford Center, a converted 19th century schoolhouse. It's a charming affair altogether – perfectly frosted cupcakes are displayed behind a glass case on an old-fashioned white marble counter and coffee and cupcakes are served from aqua and creamy white Fiesta ware. Stainless-steel and aqua-colored chairs look like they came from Ozzie and Harriet's kitchen.

Even for all its '50s ambiance, it's the tasty little cakes that you'll return for. I was excited to see that the cupcakes were "normal" sized, another throwback to bygone days before all food had reached its current gargantuan proportions. And they are absolutely perfect that way – the ingredients are so decadently rich, you wouldn't want them any bigger. The bakers use imported ingredients such as Valrhona cocoa powder, Belgian callebaut chocolate, Madagascar bourbon vanilla and European sweet cream butter. My chocolate cupcake with vanilla butter cream frosting and coconut topping was ambrosial.

Owner Jennifer Shea plans to offer 20 varieties with 10 available daily. Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, lemon, red velvet, triple chocolate, carrot, chai spice and others. Cupcakes are typically frosted with perfectly sweetened butter cream and lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting. Shea, a lifelong baker with a degree in nutrition, is collaborating with her bakers to develop new flavors such as peanut butter and jelly, jasmine green tea, and lemon meringue.

Initially I thought $2.75 was steep for a cupcake, but that was before I tasted one – you'd pay that or more for a slice of gourmet cake. Buy a dozen for $30 (a $3 savings). They also have a full coffee bar and offer an ultra-rich European hot chocolate in a tiny espresso cup topped with whipped cream or a homemade marshmallow.

Need birthday supplies? The well-merchandised area of party paraphernalia includes some vintage finds such as pink plastic birthday cake numerals for $4 (originally 10 cents in the '50s). Other items include letter press cards, wrapping paper, foil birthday hats with crepe paper fringe (six for $6), and tiaras made from sheet music and tiny silver garland ($32-$36).

Tip: For orders of a dozen or more, call ahead.

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