Mini Cupcakes Make Brookline's Le Cupcake Shoppe Unique

If this year, like me, you’ve resolved to eat less desserts, I say let us eat cupcakes. Mini cupcakes, that is, from Le Cupcake Shoppe.

With a grand opening this past October, Le Cupcake Shoppe on Capital Avenue is the only mini cupcakery in Pittsburgh. The dollhouse-like shop, located next to Fiori’s Pizza, even feels like a cupcake when you walk inside. Charming details from the trim to the counter tops and cupcake décor whisk you off to a childlike state.

“Everyone’s been so welcoming. People in this neighborhood have such an appreciation for small businesses,” owner Alexandra Hagen said. “Honestly who wouldn’t want to be next to Fiori’s? We both feel we really complement each other.”

Hagen’s love for baking came from her mother Suzie’s kitchen. Following college graduation, while she was working in marketing, Hagen began making custom creations for friends’ baby showers and other special events. And mom is still helping out.

“I started posting pictures on Facebook of the events I catered and gained more and more followers, and more event requests,” Hagen said. “I decided why not go into business for myself, doing something that I love?”

Le Cupcake Shoppe features six to eight flavors of homemade, all-natural ingredient mini cupcakes each week. The adorable treats in flavors like white velvet, Peppermint Patty, French vanilla, hot chocolate, German chocolate and S'mores all lined the shelf on my visit. Artful double decker cupcakes (that’s a full size with a mini on top) in snowmen and the Grinch tickled my holiday spirit.

There are also a variety of mini-cakes, cake pops and pup cakes—yes, even Fido can enjoy! (I brought home the Reese’s Peanut Butter mini cake to share with my family but barely got a bite of the delicious confection before it was gobbled up.) Custom order a cake or cupcake tower for your special event. Hagen does carved cakes and 3-D cakes using her own homemade fondant. Or create a cake and cupcake combo. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to these orders.

“We’ll always go the extra mile for our customers. It is really cool to watch little pieces of us go out the door every day,” Hagen said.

And I’m sure glad to help move your artwork.

- Megan Stearman

- Photos by Melissa Distel Photography

This article originally appeared in 'The Brookline,' Issue #56, Page 1, February 2013, and is used with permission.