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| - I had previously read articles about the growing popularity of cupcake cafes around the country, so I was excited to see one arrive in Champaign over a year ago. Since its opening, I've visited Cakes on Walnut several times to sample the different options and observe the business's growth.
This is certainly a prime spot for a date, as the atmosphere is sleek yet cozy. I've also always had friendly experiences with the employees during my visits. Unfortunately, when it comes to the focus of the store (the cupcakes), I have not always been impressed. I've heard that the batter is made with butter rather than oil, so the resulting cupcakes often seem too dry. The saving grace of the cakes is the rich and flavorful frosting. While other people have written complaints about the frosting being too "stiff," I think the texture is probably largely dependent on how long the cakes have sat on the counter prior to being consumed. I tend to agree with criticisms that the price seems a bit unreasonable given the quality of the food.
Although the flavors are not entirely ingenious, I also do appreciate the attempt to offer some non-traditional cupcakes. The shop only offers a handful of flavors each day, but I can usually find one that piques my interest.
Overall, Cakes on Walnut is worthy of a visit when you're looking for a special treat, but the price might be too prohibitive otherwise.
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