Mason jars filled with colored sprinkles line the front window of this tiny, sweet-smelling shop. Susie’s six-layer confetti cake is justifiably famous, but if you're not riding a birthday-merited sugar high, the cupcakes provide a generous serving. The super-moist, buttercream-laden confections are baked from scratch daily in flavors like red velvet, chocolate peanut butter, flourless chocolate, strawberry and lemon. If you'd rather graze, a handful of flavors are available in miniature sizes, as well.
There's something so right about classic cupcakes: a dependable, single-serving pick-me-up. Luckily, the Bay Area is full of ‘em, whether you're a red velvet traditionalist or a booze-and-bacon flavored voyeur. (Screw vanilla, we've got brown sugar beer cake!) Here, ten local bakeries at which to discover your frosting-topped favorite.