Bryan on 
Melody on 
Deanne on 
Paul Dicken on 
Madeleine Boivin on 
Brian on 
Naomi Wilton on 
Michael on 
Most people in Calgary are familiar with ultra-successful Crave Cupcakes and their lovely palm-sized, icing-topped offerings. The little bakery opened by sisters five years ago now has three locations, and more often than not, lineups out the door.
Now, there’s a new kid on the block (btw, weren’t they a great band?). Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts opened earlier this year in a bit of an inconspicuous, downstairs spot in Chinatown, but it’s been attracting some loyal customers with not only cupcakes, but also pies and cakes.
The cake bases for the cupcakes are all delicious (chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, carrot, lemon, coconut), moist and fluffy. The buttercream icings are … buttery and seem less sweet than at Crave. For me, the coconut cupcakes (coconut both on top and in the cake) were a major standout.
As comparisons are inevitable, it feels like there are more varieties in flavours and icing combinations at Bliss than at Crave, partly because Bliss doesn’t have a lot of finished cupcakes. Bliss tends to ice the cupcakes as you order them, which is probably a smart business model too since they don’t yet have the kind of volume Crave does.
Prices are pretty similar between the two businesses:
| #s | Bliss | Crave | #s | Bliss | Crave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | $2.75 | $2.95 | Mini-cupcake | $1.65 | $1.75 |
| 6 | $16 | $16.95 | 6 minis | n/a | $9.95 |
| 12 | $30 | $30.95 | 12 minis | $16 | $16.95 |
I’ve never had a cake from Crave, but I’m going to Bliss for all my cake needs from now on. Bad planning left me scrambling one morning to get a birthday cake and luckily, Bliss had an extra chocolate cake that day.
It was unbelievably delicious: a thick two layers of rich chocolate cake with caramel buttercream icing and a drizzle of caramel on top. The six-inch round ($30) fed about eight people.
(Photo by Merry113 from Chowhound)
Bliss does normally require 48 hours notice for cakes, cream puffs and pies, and 24 hours notice for more than 24 cupcakes. Here’s a PDF scan of their menu (thanks to Merry113).
With so many corporate towers close by, I think Bliss would be a perfect place to order sweet things for office birthdays, celebrations, treats, meetings etc.
But try not to be in a hurry. The proprietors (sisters, I’m pretty sure) love to chat, and obviously love what they’re doing.
Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts, 108-3rd Ave. SW, lower level, Calgary, (403) 281-8821, email blissandco[at]gmail.com. Open Tuesday to Friday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., weekends 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
Try Buttercream Bake Shoppe if you get a chance. I havent tried Bliss but Buttercream is really yum. I find their icing less sweet and it isnt too much for the cake. A great combo. We got a cake the other day (carrot/creamcheese) and it was really moist and very pretty.
People all have their fav’s but after having a few other bakeries Buttercream still tops my list.
Just made it in to Bliss today. Wow! The owners & staff were so friendly & the desserts looked wonderful & fresh. I was interested in holiday treats & found out that they make all sorts of cookies & squares. The ladies were so helpful & they even gave me one of every cookie & square they make to try them out before I order gift boxes for holiday gifts. Now, on to the taste! Every morsel was amazing. Each different kind of shortbread had a distinct flavour & incredible richness. The brownie was decadent & moist. The macaroon is the best-golden & crunchy on the outside, dense with sweet coconut inside. The rum balls & ginger cookies are delicious too. I will definitely be giving these ladies my business. The prices are very reasonable too. I can’t wait to try the cupcakes, pies & cakes! Good luck to Bliss-they deserve great success. RUN, DON’T WALK TO THIS BAKERY IN CHINATOWN!
Fabulous, wonderful bakery!
Best of all though, they are PEANUT free…woohoo!
[...] Eventually I gave in and my four year old and I went downtown for cupcakes, in the name of research. We were not disappointed. They were indeed among the best I’ve eaten – the strawberry swirl tasting of real strawberries, the cake itself dense, moist and not overly sweet. They were perfection. And with a lower price tag than at other cupcakeries. (There’s a great cupcake price comparison here.) [...]
[...] Eventually I gave in (about a month ago – sorry, I haven’t meant to keep this from you) and W and I went downtown for cupcakes, in the name of research. We were not disappointed. They were indeed among the best I’ve eaten – the strawberry swirl tasting of real strawberries, the cake itself dense, moist and not overly sweet. They were perfection. And with a lower price tag than at other cupcakeries. (There’s a great cupcake price comparison here.) [...]