Since Cupprimo opened its doors in 2008 it has become a staple for those looking for a sweet treat in the Spicewood community. Cupprimo offers both cupcakes and coffee, and has been featured on the popular Food Network show Cupcake Wars, as well as in many local publications. The shop, located just off of Spicewood Springs Road in the 183 Center, was founded by Amy Brown and continues to operate under a new owner.

When I arrived at Cupprimo, I was greeted by several large banners outside that welcomed customers. The interior was very charming and Pinterest-like, with gray walls brought to life with colorful accent pillows and hanging plants. Next to the cupcake case, there was a large poster listing the daily specials, and a coffee menu could be found hanging over the counter. I visited the shop on a Tuesday at around 6:45 p.m., and did not have to wait to order since no other customers were present. Saturday afternoons are particularly crowded, but the lines usually move quickly. My cupcake options were limited since most of the popular ones had been purchased earlier that day, so if you have your heart set on a specific flavor I would recommend going in the morning or early afternoon.

I decided to order a dozen mini cupcakes, and my order total was $8 after receiving a $5 discount due to the late hour. Since it was pretty late, I opted to not try their coffee, although I have heard positive reviews from friends in the past. The cupcakes that I sampled were the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Oreo Blast, Double Chocolate, Primo Vanilla, Brownie Sundae, and Red Velvet. My server was very friendly, and told me all about Cupprimo’s history and about the most popular cupcakes. She said that all of the gluten free cupcakes are in high demand, as well as the Blue Velvet. The menu rotates daily to provide variety, yet several staple cupcakes remain constant along with the fall special, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.

The first cupcake that I tried was the Oreo Blast, a chocolate cupcake topped with cookie crumbles and butter icing. The cupcake is filled with what the menu claims to be cookie dough, however it seemed to have more of a pudding consistency. Regardless, it was delicious, and was popular among my siblings as well. The moist cake combined with the rich icing created a fusion of flavor that left me wishing I had ordered a dozen more. If I had to change one thing, I would make the filling a tiny bit more flavorful, but overall this was one of my favorites.

Next I sampled three of the classics, the Double Chocolate, Primo Vanilla, and Red Velvet. The Double Chocolate mini cupcake had the smallest ratio of frosting to cake out of the six flavors, but the rich icing did not need to be piled on in order to be appreciated. However, the cupcake fell flat in other ways. While the cake itself was fluffy and the chocolate buttercream was pleasant, the “wow” factor that came with the Oreo Blast was missing. Whether it was the lack of filling or bland toppings, this is not the cake to try if you are wanting one of Cupprimo’s signature cupcakes. The Primo Vanilla on the other hand was another favorite of mine, which came as a shock to me since vanilla is usually not my go-to flavor. The buttercream icing was adorned with circular sprinkles in orange, brown, and gold, which brought a fall vibe to a year-round cupcake. It’s simplicity was perhaps the very thing that made it stand out, with no bells and whistles to distract from the effortless blend of textures and flavors. The cake portion was slightly drier than that of the Oreo Blast, but paired with the creamy icing, it was a perfect combination. Rounding out the trio of classics, the Red Velvet cupcake was my least favorite of the six. While the crystalized red sprinkles added to the visual appeal, they could not distract from the extremely dry base. I don’t know if the time of day that I arrived played a role, seeing as the cupcake had been sitting in a case all day, but none of the other cupcakes had been affected in the same way. In the end, the cupcake’s off-putting texture resulted in it being average in comparison to the other five.

If you are more of a brownie person, the Brownie Sundae is for you. This cupcake truly had it all: creamy buttercream icing, delicious chocolate ganache, and round sprinkles to top it all off. The cake itself has the ideal brownie ratio, a crisp exterior that encompasses the soft, cake-like brownie inside. I found myself reaching for this cupcake more than any other — it is the perfect cupcake for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Finally, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip is truly fall in a cupcake; its cream cheese icing sprinkled with nutmeg, chocolate chips, and chocolate sprinkles. The pumpkin taste can be overpowering if you are not a fan of rich desserts, but for those who are looking for a punch of flavor, this is for you. The chocolate chips baked into the base provide a nice change from the typical cupcake, adding a bit of texture and flavor when you least expect it. Fans of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and pumpkin pie will love this seasonal treat.

Overall, Cupprimo brings a bit of the Austin flavor that is often found downtown into the suburban community, and is a great place to go if you are hosting a party, having family over, or simply craving something sweet. I really enjoyed their wide range of flavors and the cozy feel of the shop, and will definitely be back to try out more of what they have to offer.

Overall Rating: four out of five stars

Cupprimo Specialty Cupcakes + Coffee House

8650 Spicewood Springs Road | Austin, TX

(512) 335-7746

Hours

Monday to Friday  7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday                8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday                  Closed

https://www.cupprimo.com/