Why we love The Velvet Cake Co
If you’re looking for some of the best cakes in Cape Town, we’ll let you in on a little secret – The Velvet Cake Co. It will probably be a little out of your way if you live in the southern suburbs or town, but it is well worth the drive. Nestled off the main road through Durbanville, this little boutique bakery is chock-a-block full of stunning cupcakes, delectable cheesecake, crunchy cookies, luxurious quiches and delightful savoury muffins.
On the left hand side of the store are rows and rows of cupcake boxes. The idea is that you go over to the vertical fridge and ‘pick ‘n mix’ your own box – you will be hard pressed to decide on only four. Lined up against the far wall is a shelf filled with boxed cakes that you can buy on the spot, for perhaps a last minute birthday party or a ‘going away’ celebration.
In the middle of the store is a large table overflowing with cakes, cheesecake, quiches, savoury muffins, rocky road clusters and cookies. There is a long bar table with adorable bucket chairs, allowing you to grab a cupcake or a slice of cheesecake, order an espresso, look out over the street and just enjoy the sugar rush. They’re not a coffee shop, but they do cater to us coffee snobs by serving Origin coffee, as well as red cappuccinos and hot chocolate.
A house favourite is the Red Velvet Cupcake; it is the sweet treat that will have you going again and again. The base is red velvet cake, filled with cream cheese, topped with a fluffy Italian meringue and crunchy red sprinkles. It’s light and sweet and everything you will ever want in a cupcake.
When we popped into to the bakery this time we spotted a selection of limited edition cupcakes, which we absolutely had to try. We grabbed the Maple Bacon Puff, and the Cookie Puff, which were boxed up to take home. Another new one we simply had to try was the S’mores Cupcake, which runs a close second as a favourite! A salty cracker base, followed by a rich chocolate cake, topped with a toasted marshmallowy Italian meringue, decorated with mini marshmallows and a mini tennis biscuit.
We also just loved the Sweetie Pie (chocolate cake, topped with Italian meringue and dipped in dark chocolate) and the inclusion of a Naughty Pie (vanilla cake, topped with Italian meringue, dipped in white chocolate).
There are other fun options like a traditional Milk Tart cupcake – a vanilla cake base, filled with custard, topped with a cream cheese frosting and dusted with cinnamon. Or perhaps you’ll fancy something a little healthier? The Hummingbird cupcake is a banana, pineapple and pecan nut cake, topped with cream cheese frosting, decorated with a dehydrated banana. Who are we kidding; there’s nothing healthy about that! It is absolutely delicious though and that should appease your conscience.
You must try a slice of their cheesecake – the most popular is the Millionaires Chocolate Cheesecake. An Oreo cookie base, half chocolate, half vanilla cheesecake, topped with chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings. It’s no wonder it’s their best seller.
If you ever want to spoil your kids, that special someone or just indulge yourself, this is a one-stop-shop to cake heaven and is well worth the journey to the northern suburbs. Our only advice is that if you want the best selection, always make sure you get there before 11h00, by then already, most of the quiches and limited edition cupcakes have disappeared. In this case, the early bird catches the worm… and this is a worm you really want!
Luckily, The Velvet Cake Co. is expanding and will be opening their new shop in Loop Street soon. So, if you can hold out until October for you cake fix, they will be coming to town and opening up shop!
For more info visit thevelvetcakeco.com, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Open Mon – Fri 09h00 to 17h00, Sat 09h00 to 13h00
10 Bella Rosa, Rosenpark, Bellville, Cape Town | 021 914 0482
For some baking inspiration of your own, see some amazing cake recipes right HERE!