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There's a brand new bakery in Sherman Oaks and we can't get the flavor of its buttercream frosting out of our heads or stomachs. Leda's Bake Shop is right next to Señor Fred's on Ventura Boulevard just west of Woodman. We stumbled upon it after lunch yesterday. We didn't think it could be a better day after we sat directly across from Wanda Sykes and watched her toast margaritas mid-afternoon much like her "faux-reality" persona on her Comedy Central show, Wanda Does It.
But no, the peanut butter chocolate cupcakes were better. The carrot and blood orange cupcakes smelled better. The idea that Leda makes "kid" cupcakes with richer frosting on top of her already luscious and spongy chocolate miniature cakes was better.
We can't imagine getting a specialty cake in the valley from anywhere else at this point.
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Hrrm, looks like a lunchtime trip is in order to test these cupcakes out...
Don't disrespect Wanda! I saw she and Lance Crouther drinking margaritas at Sonora on La Brea a few months ago. She's great in person.
I love that Leda is a Gambini and she only uses Scharffenberger chocolate. Can you please pick up a dozen almond cupcakes w/ chocolate hazelnut ganache filling and coffee buttercream frosting for me?
No disrespect to Wanda at all. I love her to death. That's how good the cupcakes were.
Thank jeebus you put the emphasis on buttercream. No other selling point needed
Honestly, you could blog about local area cupcakes six times a day and I'd be happy.
I agree: Alcove on Hillhurst's cupcakes are mediocre...and cost $3.75 each! Toast on 3rd near Crescent Heights has cupcakes, but they are not *great* for the price. Don't get me started on Joan's on Third-- way overhyped and also mediocre. There's nothing I've found in LA to match Magnolia Bakery in NYC (Toast started out using their recipes, but the consistency is simply not there). I will try Leda's, any other suggestions? Wanda rocks.
LAist might consider assigning someone to an around-the-clock area dessert watch. I'm just sayin.'
Try venturing out of the 818 and getting some real cupcakes from Joan's on Third.
I concur that there isn't anything better than a Magnolia Bakery cupcake. Unless it's one from Billy's Bakery in Chelsea. I can't wait for the dessert coverage to begin!
IMHO Magnolia is overrated. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw literally a tourist bus full of Germans descend and venture into the shop. Joan's are tasty, no doubt.
But this whole cupcake obsession/trend continues to elude me. Yeah they're cute and all. Still why so much fuss? Nevertheless, as a party hostess (pardon the pun) it's alright by me. Cupcakes are among the easiest things to bake; even cupcakes made with cake mix impress people.