The Cupcake Counter

The next time you find yourself in the heart of the Chicago Loop with the desire to taste something sweet, walk on over to The Cupcake Counter for a delicious treat.  With an assortment of rotating cupcake flavors, cookies, frosting shots, and fresh brewed Intelligentsia coffee, you’re sure to find something to tickle your taste buds.






The Cupcake Counter is owned and operated by the mother and daughter team of Holly Sjo and Samantha Wood.  It is a small shop located at 229 W Madison St.  I’m not kidding when I say small.  I’m pretty sure the kitchen and sales area would fit in my living room.  What they lack in space they make up for in substance.  They’ve created a clean, warm, and inviting atmosphere with bright artwork and decor along the walls.  All of the baked goods are kept behind a small glass display case, including at least six flavors of cupcakes, cookies, brownies, chocolate covered pretzels, frosting shots, and other small baked treats.  Katrina and I first stumbled upon this place when she started working at her new job about a block away.  We had passed by it many times on our morning commute, and one day I paid a visit to buy myself an “Urban Legend” cookie, and a cupcake to drop off at Katrina’s office.  We’ve been repeat customers ever since.  The cupcake pictured above is one of our favorites, the “Reese’s Pieces Cupcake” which is a chocolate cupcake with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup baked into the base, and a delicately flavored peanut butter cream cheese frosting.  Other memorable flavors include the “Double Chocolate”, “Pistachio”, “Red Velvet”, “Tiramisu”, and “Maple Pecan”.  The cupcakes are $3 each, which seems like a bargain compared to many other desserts available in the Loop.  It’s a fairly popular destination amongst workers in the area, so they are often sold out of the best flavors by the end of the day.  Rest assured knowing that they are environmentally conscious, and use 100% recyclable materials for all of their packaging and buy local whenever possible.  They are open during typical office hours on Monday through Friday, and weekends are set aside for catering and special orders.  Try them out for your next birthday or office party!  You won’t be disappointed!  I wish they were closer to my house :)



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