My sis- and bro-in law introduced us to Sugar Mama's on our first visit to Austin back in 2008 and I've made damn sure that I go back every time we're in town. I finally busted out my phone camera when we were there last week so's I could tell y'all about this little gem.
Although I am sure that everything they make is delicious, I wouldn't know because I'm so smitten with the James Brown - a moist chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate buttercream frosting and a smattering of rainbow sprinkles - the perfect cupcake, to my mind - that I rarely try anything else. 'Cause I feel niiiiiice. Like sugar and spice, yeah. So nice, so nice, 'cause I got you!
I was briefly tempted by the 'Frida', a "cinnamon Valrhona chocolate cupcake topped with a decadent coffee liqueur buttercream frosting and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar" on my most recent visit but not quite enough to forgo my date with the cape-twirling, be-sprinkled Mr. Brown.
It seems I am not alone in my devotion - according to the young guy behind the counter, the James Brown is their top seller, along with the Marilyn Monroe, a gorgeous blonde confection of vanilla cake topped with a heap of fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting.
Sugar Mama's original location on South 1st Street is small with mint green walls, black and white linoleum floors, cherry red cabinets and red and white polka-dotted curtains that create a cheerful, kitschy vibe.
Started by Olivia and Steve O'Neal, Sugar Mama's uses high quality ingredients like Nielsen-Massey extracts, Valrhona chocolate, and locally sourced, cage-free eggs,and fair trade coffee, cocoa and sprinkles for their scratch-baked goods. They also try to give back to the community and lighten their environmental footprint by reducing their food waste through composting and responsible packaging choices.
Olivia and her lead decorator, Andrea, competed on Cupcake Wars last year. Needless to say, they won, creating a cupcake that special guest judge, Weird Al described as "scrumdiddlyumptious" (I can totally picture him saying that, can't you?)
After their victory, they opened a second location on Austin's east side where they serve desserts by the slice and cocktails - kind of a 'grown up' version of their original shop.
They also sell pies, cakes, bars, coffee and a few other things at the southside location. The cupcake menu changes on a daily basis so check their online menu before you go to make sure you hit it on the right day. So get up, get on up and get your butt to Sugar Mama's next time you're in Austin.
You can find Sugar Mama's Bakeshop at:
1905 S 1st Street
Austin, Texas 78704
512-448-3727
or
2406 Manor Road Suite B
Austin, Texas 78722
512-912-6628
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Austin, Texas 78722
512-912-6628
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