Crave Cupcakes West University

The cupcake battle rages on as Houston-based Crave Cupcakes opens a second location touting its picture-perfect designer cupcakes. Following the success of the company’s original Uptown Park location, which opened in 2008, husband-wife team Peter Cooper and Elizabeth Harrison have staked claim on another outpost in Houston’s West University neighborhood.

Crave’s prep process begins at 5 a.m. daily with pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, European chocolates, locally-sourced dairy and seasonal fruit from Napa Valley. By 8 a.m., customers are already filling the airy shop in search of fresh coffee and breakfast cupcakes like apple streusel, lemon poppy seed and maple walnut.

Soon though, the attention turns to Crave’s daily-changing cupcake line-up, all of which are made in small batches throughout the day, without preservatives and hydrogenated oils. (Our money is on the moist and delicious red velvet with cream cheese frosting.) For a look at today’s menu line-up or to place an order, visit Crave’s website.