If there’s one food trend that isn’t ready to leave us all behind in 2016, it has got to be the cupcake. Churros come a close second, but they’re arguably less versatile than cupcakes. From cupcake royalty–Red Velvet and Salted Caramel–to modern interpretations of traditional kueh like Ondeh-Ondeh and Badak Berendam, these good-looking babies are definitely here to stay. Luckily for us, grabbing a box or two is now easier than ever, as evidenced by the emergence of these places that offer them.
Credit: Giphy
1. Wheebake
Wheebake is a Muslim-owned bakery cafe located in western Singapore. Although I’ve not been there myself, I constantly see its cakes, cupcakes, tart slices and Nutella pods appear on my Instagram feed. If Wheebake’s too far out for you easties, take note that it occasionally does deliveries and accepts orders as well. The bakery is also a regular fixture at exhibitions in EXPO, so it’s worth following them on social media to find out when and where their next bake sale will be.
Wheebake, 415 Pandan Gardens #01-114, Singapore 600415, 1 pm to 7 pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 11 am to 6 pm (Sunday) Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. The Twelve Bakeshop
Credit: The Twelve Bakeshop
A spin-off from popular cupcakery chain Twelve Cupcakes, this shop located in the basement of ION Orchard is halal-certified and perhaps the only one in this list that makes more than 10 flavours each day. The menu rotates weekly, giving you ample time to get your old favourites or try new flavours.
The Twelve Bakeshop, 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-33 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801, 10 am to 10 pm (daily), Facebook | Instagram
3. Fluff Bakery
You can’t talk about cupcakes without mentioning Fluff Bakery, right? Fluff Bakery is arguably a household name within the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore when it comes to halal cupcakes. Don’t quote me on this, but I believe Fluff might be the one that started the trend of cupcakes with contemporary flavours here. While the bakery has expanded its lineup to include cakes and tarts as well, its claim to fame is still its queue-inducing cupcakes.
Fluff Bakery, 4 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199071, 12 pm to 7 pm or till all bakes sell out (Tuesday to Saturday), Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Sweetest Choice By Yatie Karim
Credit: Sweetest Choice By Yatie
Located in Joo Chiat Road on the same side as Hajjah Maimunah Restaurant, this humble shop was a surprise encounter while I was in the area. Unfortunately, it was closed that day but through the glass window, I saw cupcakes on sale as well as other traditional kueh and cookies. Do not be fooled by photos of wedding cakes on their social media feed–that’s probably their main business–you can definitely purchase cupcakes off the shelves here. If you’re feeling peckish after eating out or shopping at nearby Joo Chiat Complex and Geylang Serai Market, a cupcake or two here won’t hurt.
Sweetest Choice By Yatie Karim, No 60 Joo Chiat Road, #01-02 Champion Hotel, Singapore 427726, Facebook | Instagram
5. Julie Bakes
If you’re a fan of kampung cupcakes–traditional kueh in cupcake form–look no further than Julie Bakes. Julie Bakes is a relatively new bakery opened by Kak Julie who first started her baking business from home. The menu seems to have at least 2 kueh-inspired cupcakes daily, so you’re guaranteed something new every time. Some of the kampung flavours I’ve seen on the menu include Badak Berendam, Onde Onde, Bandung, Cendol, and Pengat Pisang. Drooling yet?
Julie Bakes, 14 Baghdad Street, Singapore 199653, 12 pm to 9 pm or till bakes sell out (Tuesday to Sunday), Facebook | Instagram
6. The Finest Tea Shop (closed)
Credit: The Finest Tea Shop
A cafe located in Changi Village, The Finest Tea Shop does not only serve mains like pasta, burgers, and nasi lemak. The cafe also bakes its desserts in-house, and they include tarts, cakes and yes, cupcakes too. I heard Ondeh-Ondeh is a staple here. There’s even a cake version! True to its name, the shop also carries a wide selection of tea, making it an ideal stop for breakfast, lunch, tea, or any other time of the day.
The Finest Tea Shop, 4 Changi Village Road #01-2060, Singapore 500004, 12 pm to 8 pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 10 am to 10 pm (Friday), 8.30 am to 10 pm (Saturday & Sunday), Facebook | Instagram
Update: The Finest Tea Shop is closed till further notice.
7. D’elish Treats
D’elish Treats is a grab-and-go bakery at East Village Mall, a haven for halal food. Bonus points for being close to Simpang Bedok too. The unit is small, with most of the space dedicated to the display case showing off the available bakes for the day. Cakes and cupcakes are the shop’s main offerings, although choices may be limited if you come in at a later time.
D’elish Treats, 430 Upper Changi Road, #01-41 East Village Mall, Singapore 487048, 12 pm to 10 pm (Tuesday to Sunday), Facebook | Instagram
8. The Piping Bag
Credit: The Piping Bag
With its colourful pop art-themed deco, it’s hard to miss The Piping Bag in *SCAPE. Consistent with the theme, its display case is a colourful array of cupcakes and macarons that are all baked in the shop. Flavours, however, are pretty standard. I’m not saying you should, but if you want to sneak a cupcake into the cinema, grab one here.
D’elish Treats, 2 Orchard Link,*SCAPE #02-34, Singapore 237978, 10 am to 10 pm (daily), Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Zan’s Treats
Do take note that Zan’s Treats is first and foremost a baking studio, and not a full-fledged cafe or bakery. Hence, the cupcakes available for sale here are limited in quantity. When I was there, there were only about 15 cupcakes in total. They might be baking more in the kitchen. I’m also unsure if the cupcakes will typically run out if you come later in the day, so try to come early. As far as flavours go, Zan’s Treats has quite an impressive range.
Zan’s Treats, 398 Changi Road #01-03, Singapore 199071, 12 pm to 7 pm (Tuesday to Saturday), Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Mad Batter
Credit: Mad Batter SG
Let’s take a minute to appreciate that perfectly round Ondeh-Ondeh cupcake above. It’s possibly the most photogenic one I’ve seen so far, and I’m willing to bet it’s possibly the tastiest one too. It’s so good that Mad Batter even conducts classes specifically for baking Ondeh Ondeh cake and cupcakes. The bakery also takes orders for bespoke cakes that are suitable for weddings and other events.
Mad Batter, 11 Sin Ming Road, Thomson V Two, #B3-09 (Unit 12), Singapore 575629 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday), Facebook | Instagram | Website
11. Spatula
Spatula is a bakery cafe situated in the quaint neighbourhood of Frankel Avenue in the Siglap district. My first recollection of Spatula was from a couple of years ago, back when the bakery was a takeaway shop in Joo Chiat Road. Spatula’s claim to fame, in my opinion, was its Ombre Lana Cake which was a popular wedding cake choice within the kakak-kakak kahwin network.
While Spatula still takes orders for wedding cakes and dessert tables, it has expanded to a full-fledged cafe in its present location, offering diners a wide range of cupcakes, cakes, waffles, cake pops, ice cream, milkshakes, and more.
Spatula, 87 Frankel Avenue, Singapore 458215, 12 pm to 10 pm (weekdays; closed on Tuesday), 10 am to 10 pm (weekends), Facebook | Instagram | Website
12. Butter Studio
Credit: Butter Studio
Butter Studio’s one of the more successful ones in terms of accessibility (there are 3 outlets), and I’ve only tried their cakes once in the Jalan Besar bakery cafe. Embarrassingly, I do not remember much about that visit other than that their famous Salted Caramel Red Velvet Cake was murderously sweet. Maybe their cupcakes will fare better; I’m already eyeing their Salted Gula Melaka cupcake, and Milo Speculoos Fudge cupcake next.
Butter Studio, multiple locations, Facebook | Instagram | Website
13. Velvet Confectionery
Credit: Velvet Confectionery
This was yet another surprise find while I was browsing the #halalsg tag on Instagram. It turns out Velvet Confectionery is a 100% Muslim-owned cafe and certified by the Singapore Malay Chambers of Commerce, so there’s no need to was-was about eating here. Their lineup of cupcakes consists of the usual suspects, although I wish they’d include more innovative flavours too. Regardless, its location itself makes it a brave contender in the expat-centric neighbourhood.
Velvet Confectionery, 7 Rodyk Street, #01-30 Watermark @ Robertson Quay, Singapore 238215, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm (Monday), 10.30 am to 6.30 pm (Wednesday to Sunday), Facebook | Instagram | Website
14. TenEleven Cupcakes
Credit: TenEleven Cupcakes
Not to be confused with multi-chain Twelve Cupcakes, TenEleven Cupcakes is a small shop on the first floor of Far East Plaza. Despite its size, this Muslim-owned shop bakes a consistent menu of flavours daily, with standouts including Keylime, Strawberries & Cream, Mocha Caramel Sea Salt, and Matcha. The shop can sit all of 2 patrons, so you’re better off packing a box to go. Much like most other bakeries listed here, TenEleven Cupcakes also takes orders for whole cakes and cupcakes for events, an indication that a one-product only business may not be sustainable here. If anything, I now have a reason to revisit Far East Plaza which I had outgrown of in recent years.
TenEleven Cupcakes, 14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza #01-54/55, Singapore 228213, 12 pm to 9 pm (daily), Facebook | Instagram
15. Bismillah Bake Shop
Credit: Bismillah Bake Shop
All the way in the west, this relatively new bakery stocks a decent number of cupcakes daily. The prices are very affordable too, considering how cupcakes at more established cafes can reach up to $4 each. I cannot comment on the quality as I’ve not tried them yet, but if there’s a cupcake shop at my void deck, I’d probably pop by daily. Bismillah Bake Shop may not have much of a presence yet, but it is this very reason that I urge all of us to try these underrated places at least once. Supporting local is one of the main aims of starting this blog, and I cannot stress how important how doing so will add diversity to our culinary options.
Bismillah Bake Shop, 12 Clementi Road, Kampong Junction, Singapore 129742, Facebook | Instagram
When I started this list, I perhaps only knew of half of them. Along the way, more and more cupcake shops appeared in my research and the list grew to what you see here now. Having said that, I believe that I’ve only scratched the surface. These 15 places are only the tip of the icing (haha!), and there must be more undiscovered places yet. Lest we forget, there’s also a growing list of home bakers who have attained quite a name for themselves online. If you know of other halal cupcake shops, online or otherwise, write to me here or share in the comments section below.