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Brown Betty Dessert Boutique
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 12 pm - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
111 reviews for Brown Betty Dessert Boutique
Review Highlights
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"and the red velvet (my new favorite." In 47 reviews -
"Delicious cupcakes, delicious birthday cakes." In 75 reviews -
"Sweet potato pound cake with butter cream icing." In 17 reviews
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111 reviews in English
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Review from Chauntell M.
Philadelphia, PA
5/3/2012
My guilty addiction. I don't even want to know the calorie count but each rich, dense; sugar laden bite is worth it to me. It really tastes like someone's grandma lovingly baked each batch, and used only fresh farm ingredients. I can't make this up. My fav is the red velvet, but every other cupcake I've tried thus far has been great too. No factory, chemical tasting icing here and they have the perfect cake/ to icing ratio which is important, and it's really dense..heavy. . Like 1/2 of one will leave your average fat girl satisfied (moi). The prices can't be beat and I love the little boutique box it comes in. I haven't ventured into trying any of the other sweets offered so I can't speak on them. I tried a few other cupcake places in Philly and was sadly disappointed..Brown Betty I know loving you is wrong but I don't wanna be right!
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Review from Christopher C.
Long Beach, NY
Cupcakes were moist, and with a semi dense texture which is the sort that I prefer. The interior is small and quaint and the customer service side of things seems friendly enough.
Overall, a decent cupcake and a nice location. -
Review from Enjella L.
Los Angeles, CA
2/10/2012 4 photos
Oh boise.
Right off the bat, they are visually appealing. Generously sized cupcakes - lower in height than most cupcakes but makes up for it in width. Cake to icing ratio is perfect. Most places you end up with more icing than cake, here - not so. So we were all excited to try it until we actually tried it and then wasn't.
We had the lemon meyer cupcake and the pineapple cupcake (which has dried pineapple chunks in it - which I did NOT enjoy. They really should use fresh or canned pineapples to moisten up the cake a bit.)
Extremely dense, hearty, and filling. Not the words that should come to mind when you are eating cupcakes. I literally got FULL off of eating half of one (after eating a meal). This is terribly disturbing since normally my body doesn't react this way when topping off a meal with a sweet.
Don't expect a moist, soft cupcake here. What you will expect to find is a hybrid of a DENSE muffin and a banana bread type like consistency that is on the dry side.
I am fairly certain that any cupcake you choose will taste similar (minus the actual flavors).
The store itself is cute. It's $3 a cupcake which they toss in a paperbag for you. (I'm used to boxes for packaging, but with a cupcake this hefty, it will not lose its shape or form - trust me.)
Parking: Angled street parking - free -
Review from Kamilah B.
Philadelphia, PA
12/22/2011
Couldn't bear to give them a 2, but I am highly disappointed.
I haven't been in awhile and decided to treat myself...sooooo exited!
My two favs were not as I remembered. The icing on both the carrot cake and red velvet, was not great. I mean it was average. I used to want to bathe in this stuff! Lol
I didn't finish either cupcake, which is so unlike me. I don't think I will be back anytime soon. I know times are hard, but I'd rather prices go up than quality go down. -
Review from Ettya F.
8/10/2011
NOM. NOM. NOM.
If you've got enough patience to hold the frosting on your tongue, it will just sort of seep over your taste buds...caressing them...blanketing them in sweet, succulent heaven.
Betty's Buttermilk is the essence of luscious, lemony goodness. The pound-cake doesn't feel excessively butter laden nor does it have the density of a brick. But it DOES have has just enough lemon to put a spring in your step and a glisten in your eye.
Hattie Don't Play isn't as scrumptious as Betty's Buttermilk - but that could just be a taste preference. The cake is just as good, only chocolate. The frosting isn't gloopy nor is it sugar coma inducing. It's your quintessential chocolate cupcake made by Mom...not Duncan Hines. -
Review from Grace S.
Philadelphia, PA
9/16/2011
In short, meh.
In regards to the cupcakes, better can be found for the prices charged here. $3 a pop, get one cupcake free if you buy a dozen.
I was disappointed. The red velvet cupcake was so dense and dry it almost tasted stale. No flavor after two bites. The icing was excellent, did not make up for the cake itself though.
I had expected something lighter, like the red velvet cupcakes at the cupcake trucks around the city. Now those are delicious, and at least a buck cheaper.
I also bought a sugar cookie. This also was dense, cake-like and a let down. Two bites & into the trash. At only $1, not so heartbreaking.
I mention this next bit because after reading a previous review about an issue with the handwriting on a cake, I knew exactly what the reviewer meant. After looking at pictures of their cakes in the gallery, I was surprised at how sloppy the handwriting was. It looked as if a child was practicing cursive for the first time. I had expected better quality. On the other hand, the cake deco was really very beautiful for most of the cakes. Especially the flowers. But this review is based on taste, not looks.
I've got another cupcake & another cookie to try... I hope round two tastes better!
I'm bummed. Was going to purchase cupcakes for a party this weekend. I'll have to keep looking for a better cupcake. -
Review from Susan D.
Philadelphia, PA
2/28/2012
Since it opened, I have loved their cupcakes. I stick with the cupcakes as the larger cakes have been drier. And by getting a variety of cupcakes, slicing them in half to share or taste test other flavors is more enjoyable. Service has been friendly and courteous every time. I did like their previous location as you could sit and enjoy the treats without rushing, but now they are my stop for dinner parties or home birthdays. Mmmmmm...
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Review from Meredith F.
Philadelphia, PA
12/13/2011
Cupcakes are good, then again so are my mothers and those aren't $3/each.
Customer service TERRIBLE. Actually if there is a rung below terrible they would fall in that category. My hope for this review is to spare a future customer of Brown Betty a patch of hair before wanting to pull it out while attempting to deal with the incompetency at this bakery.
To start I will lay out the Pros: the cupcakes are good. I am partial to the sweet potato.
Was thrilled to learn that Brown Betty would be offering cake in 2 sizes. I called on a Wed to place an order and paid in full with my CC, with a pick up date of Saturday. On Saturday, the order was lost....so instead I was offered cupcakes free of charge. NO PROBLEM. I received a call that afternoon asking when I was going to pick my cake up....order was found. Since I picked up the cupcake I did not need the cake....I received another call from Crystal (the manger) stating that I was going to be charged for the cake b/c I never picked it up and it was made to order. After the 6th phone call from Brown Betty I had had it and said have your owner call me. I was told the owner would call me by end of business Sat. This never happened. I called again Tuesday. No return phone call. I then check my credit card statement. They OVER CHARGED me. I called again Wednesday and this time Leah told me the owners had no intentions of every calling me over this situation...they were aware of it, but did not wish to speak to me! 2h later the owner called me semi-oblivious to the situation, semi-apologetic, semi-will to accept blame to this colossal disaster.
My best advice. If you want a cupcake hopefully you mom is home and willing to whip you up a batch. -
Review from Shye V.
Brooklyn, NY
3/17/2012
the cupcakes are absolutely delish! the atmosphere is comforting and invites your senses. I'm not keen on paying 3 bucks for a cupcake, but after I had my first one (red velvet no doubt) i was totally hooked! i don't care. its worth 3 bucks, hell, I would pay 4! glad I don't live near by. I would be as fat as a house! its too good to be true!
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Review from Clara L.
4/21/2011
$3 a pop. Cupcakes are rich, dense, and larger than your average cupcake at around 4 in diameter. The coolest part is that they are kind of short and squat, so you have a lot of surface area for frosting.
Ultimately, have I had better cupcakes? Yes.
I had a sample of chocolate, which is my favorite.
Red velvet has a weird, chalky texture.
Sweet potato was not memorable.
I'll go back with my sweets obsessed roommie, who bakes a mean cupcake herself, and see what her verdict is. -
Review from Kristin W.
Philadelphia, PA
6/26/2011
I walked by the grand opening of the new location (moved from Liberties Walk to 722 N 2nd St) and got a free Pumpkin Nudie cupcake. I started with the cream cheese icing which was piled high and looked precarious in the heat - delicious. It was a great complement to the moist pumpkin cake.
At $3/cupcake (and no quantity discount for a dozen), it's a little pricey, but you're getting a good cupcake. -
Review from Bri H.
11/15/2011
Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand all the great reviews. I was really disappointed by how heavy & dense these cupcakes are. The icing is delicious but that's about it. When someone hands you a cupcake and you feel like you've been handed a brick, this is not a good thing.
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Review from Quentin M.
6/8/2011 1 photo
This bakery is amazing. I live in FL but was hosting a party in Philadelphia. I ordered a cake from Brown Betty based only on their website and the many reviews I read online. I was not disappointed. The store manager Crystal went out of her way to help me, give me ideas, and make sure I was satisfied.
Eventhough the customer service was great, it did not compare to how wonderfully beautiful the cake was or how great it tasted. One of my guests said the cake was, "Slap yo momma good!"
I would defiantly recommend Brown Betty. Their cakes are beautiful and delicious. Their customer service is amazing. I can't even begin to explain how happy I am to have chosen them. -
Review from Adam L.
2/25/2011
The Brown Betty Dessert Boutique has been my cupcake destination for almost four years now. In that time, I have tried pretty much everything they have to offer, from their intense poundcake cupcakes and cakes to their Apple Brown Betty and sweet potato pie.
One thing is indisputable: Brown Betty makes her concoctions with quality. The cupcakes are generously topped with heavy dairy and oftentimes include fresh, delicious fruit.
I have, however, found the cupcakes lacking in the last year or so. The size of the treats have diminished, and while that might not be so bad for the waistline, it has disappointed me. In addition, though the dense, rich flavor is intense, it sometimes lends to dry cupcakes. The Red Velvet, in particular, I found myself "chewing the curd" on.
Still, I love other options. The Apple Brown Betty was sent from the past with love to your hands. It is outrageous. Anything Lemon- or strawberry-based there is a good bet.
Brown Betty has definitely played a big part in bringing quality, home-style treats to the city of Brotherly Love. -
Review from Brian l.
Philadelphia, PA
11/7/2010 1 photo
My favorite cupcake. I thought I loved cupcakes which were really light and airy until I came here.
I got the red velvet cupake and it was much more dense than most cupcakes I've ever had. Dense sounds undesirable, but oh man was it delicious. I just wanted more. Since my initial visit, I've come back at least two or three times...and still can't get anything other than red velvet. I love it. -
Review from Nate K.
Philadelphia, PA
5/1/2011
So clearly the ratio of positive reviews should tell you the cupcakes are pretty darn good - I'll just give you the ones I would recommend if I were standing next to you...
Red velvet with cream cheese icing
Lemon pound cake with butter cream icing (something like that)
Sweet potato pound cake with butter cream icing
Oh, make sure you refrigerate these if you're not going to eat them right away. I also keep them in a ziploc for pure freshness when I buy in Center City and bring home to the burbs. -
Review from Linh Q.
Philadelphia, PA
9/19/2011
If you want to have more options make sure you get there as early as possible. They only make one batch and once it's sold out they don't make additional for the day. I had the pineapple one and the strawberry one and they're both absolutely delicious. The icing is perfect especially not so sweet. They're $3 each which every bakery or cupcake place I went to charge for that price and philly cupcake even charge $4 for some cupcakes. They're a bit bigger in size compared to other ones. Well worth the $3. And they have special flavors for different days of the week.
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Review from Elizabeth H.
Philadelphia, PA
Pound cake and cupcakes in one?! What a brilliant idea!! These are delicious. All the cupcakes are made with pound cake batter. It comes out moist and dense...and heavenly. The flavors I've tried all had some variation of a cream cheese frosting - does it get any better? I've had the red velvet cupcake and sour cream pound cupcake. Such decadence. Mmmm.
Also, they give you a card, stating that you get the best flavor out of your cupcakes when it is in room temperature. So I waited until I got home before biting into these delicious morsels of goodness. But, don't fret, they have samples available to get your tastebuds going. :) -
Review from Mallory D.
Philadelphia, PA
2/23/2011
Maybe it is just me, but I have a hard time buying into this "dessert boutique" phenomenon. A cupcake is a cupcake, and it really isn't worth $5 or whatever they charge here.
Don't get me wrong-the cupcakes are great. A little dense for my taste, but very good. I just don't get the reason for the daily mob scene that forms outside of this place.Listed in: Bakeries
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Review from Michelle B.
Cherry Hill, NJ
6/4/2011
I love the cupcakes @ this lovely boutique has created. It's like trying to eat 1 potato chip but you can't..... Love the Only for Eliza, Jean's Road Trip & Sing Little Alice cupcakes..... Can't wait 2 try more of these scrumptious, filling & creatively named cupcakes.
I would recommend these treats to anyone who loves the taste and consistency of cake made in a cupcake form. Great for dessert parties and/or a small social gathering or birthday party. -
Review from Ritu K.
10/15/2010
Meh... I can't say any cupcake I have is bad, but this one (or should I say these three- what can I say I'm weak around cupcakes- healthy eating be damned) certainly were not memorable...
Aesthetically speaking these cupcakes were perfect! Huge and covered in delicious sweet frosting..I tried a lemon cake, vanilla cake, and my personal fave the red velvet..
The lemon and vanilla were fine. Not particularly awesome and a little too buttery for my taste, but certainly edible. As for the red velvet, this was by far the tastiest one, but once again a little too buttery. If forced to return here again (and really my hankering for cupcakes tells me I would never be forced to return) I would certainly happily stuff my face with these cupcakes but I've had way way better!!! -
Review from vinjonster t.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 8/3/2010
What the hell happened!? The cupcakes LOOK like they've been through a storm before they were put in the case, the consistency in taste and aesthetic that was there before is GONE!
I went there recently (week ago) with the pastry chef I am working for and she hypothesizes that BB is starting wholesale (or maybe expanding catering/special events?), in any event EXPANDING, and therefore quality control has gone down. WHY WHY WHY!?
If someone sat me down and told me it was either cupcake or death, and my option was between BB and [insert other Philly cupcake place], I still would probably pick BB, but...I'm not going back out of freewill. Clean up your act!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/14/2010
Last time I was there (late June) the cupcakes had gotten itty bitty! Was this a one day fluke? Hope… Read more »
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Review from Hilary P.
6/14/2010
This is a 4.5 star review but I'm trying to err on the side of positivity. The strawberry cupcakes here are my ultimate summer cupcake. I might tend toward red velvet or vanilla & buttercream for most months of the year, but their strawberry is unbeatable when it's warm out. I will also give credit where it's due to their red velvet, chocolate, lemon, and all the other flavors I've tried with clever names in the case that were soon forgotten. The staff has always been super-friendly and patient with those who are less decisive than I.
This location takes credit cards with a minimum of $10. I'll do the math for you; that's 3 cupcakes and a cookie. If you buy them around lunchtime, you should lapse into a sugar coma just around 3pm, recover, then have another cupcake after dinner, followed by visions of sugarplum cupcakes dancing in your head.Listed in: Philly's Just Desserts
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Review from Connie S.
11/5/2010 1 photo
There's just no way that I can stand idly by and not do my part to bring up the rating average for Brown Betty's.
I've tried many a cupcakery, and BB is one of my favorites. It differentiates itself from other places by using a moist, thick pound cake -that's not too sweet!- as the cake base.
If you need some convincing, try a sample. Particularly at this original BB boutique, the largest of the three locations, there are always heaps of cake samples set out on large platters.
They aren't messing around with the frostings here either. Whether based in buttercream or cream cheese, the frosting is always wonderfully dense and flavorful.
I know that red velvet (named "Jean's Road Trip") is their best seller, but I rather prefer the almond ("Alice's Two Step," almond flavor in the cake as well as the slivers of almond on top of chocolate frostiing) and the pineapple (I think it's called "Aunt Eva Says"-- pineapple puree in the cake and a candied pineapple on top of the cream cheese-based frosting). Yums.
My only caution: don't bother with the cookies. They're mediocre at best, and not worth your time. Better to focus on getting around to trying as many BB cupcake flavors as possible. -
Review from Meg C.
Philadelphia, PA
4/3/2009
Imagine my excitement when my favorite Philly couple showed up on my doorstep with get-well cupcakes. I must say I now believe in the healing power of cupcakes, especially ones from Brown Betty.
Honestly, this place wasn't even on my list of places to try because I've been so satisfied with Flying Monkey. But Brown Betty's cakes are a little better and definitely a bit different in style. These cupcakes have a less oily crumb, I feel like the cake could stand on its own better than Flying Monkey's. Also, although the frosting is sweeter, the cake-to-frosting ratio ensures they are not too sweet and are suited to an adult's palate.
These cupcakes are quite large. I was determined to eat all four of mine before Chad got home and ended up consuming not even a quarter of each. Here's what I had:
Red velvet - excellent and I'm super picky about this type of cake. I could actually taste the cocoa in it, which I was very happy about because red velvet is too often just a vehicle for cream cheese frosting. The cake wasn't too red, which I was grateful for because I try to avoid food coloring.
Pineapple - really good if you love pineapple and dislike artificial flavors. I can honestly describe this cupcake as juicy, in a good way.
Chocolate - I could not believe how much I loved this cupcake. It tasted like it came out of my mother's kitchen! This cake proved to me they bake with love.
Sour cream - the surprise favorite. I'm a big fan of yogurt cakes, but I would never have selected a sour cream cupcake on my own. I was impressed with its flavor and moistness, they are definitely using good quality ingredients. Even Bug enjoyed a little of this cake, she showed her appreciation with atomic kitty farts the rest of the night.
I was very, very impressed with my cupcakes. I'll definitely be stopping by to try the strawberry, lemon and almond flavors.Listed in: Philly things that I cannot…
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Review from Cara N.
Manhattan, NY
I ordered a "Jean's Road Trip" birthday cake for my mom's surprise party. I called the Tuesday before, and spoke with a very friendly and helpful young lady, who assured me that it would be ready on Saturday.
Fast forward to that Saturday when my nephew and I stopped in to pick up the cake. We had to wait a few moments while they finished writing "Happy Birthday" on the cake, but that was no biggie because it took us that long to thaw out from the Tundra-esque temperatures from outside.
Well, let me tell you, to say the cake was a hit is definitely an understatement. Everyone loved the cake - including the birthday girl! It was moist and very rich, and the icing was stupid sweet and delicious! To top it all off, we brought half of the cake home, even with all 15 of us having had a decent-sized slice. I will absolutely order another cake from Brown Betty...seriously, ab-so-lutely!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/11/2009
*singing to the tune of "Moon River* "Reeeeeeeed Velvet! Piiiineapple Pound-caaake! Tried boooth… Read more »
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Review from Emily C.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2009 3 photos
After my first tantalizing taste of BB at their Rittenhouse satellite location, I had to make a trip to the mother ship in NoLibs. So many more choices!
Brown Betty, how do I love thy cupcakes? Let me count the ways (in order of preference):
1. Lemon curd-filled vanilla pound cake with lemon/vanilla buttercream: Holy wow. Want lemon meringue pie in cupcake form? THIS IS IT. So good my teeth hurt. You must try it.
2. Almond pound cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and toasted almond slivers: simply divine! The almond flavor was subtle and tempting, although I might love it even more if it were a touch more almondy. When in doubt, add marzipan, I say. Still, BB's chocolate buttercream on top mos def rules.
4. Chocolate-on-Chocolate: Nomnomnomnom. What? Yeah. I got nothing. These are heaven, and they did a beautiful job of making the fudgy frosting look like an elegant rose.
Slightly lesser delights:
4. Strawberry-on-strawberry: Very good, but it didn't reach out and strangle my tongue. Not strawberryish enough. They need to figure out how to jam that crazy S-berry flavor in the buttercream like Naked does.
5. Red velvet: I am not an RV fanatic, but this came closer to good than any other I've had (probably because it had more cocoa than most).
6. Pineapple: My least favorite selection from BB to date. It lacked the fresh-fruity brightness of citrus flavor I expected, and instead tasted of cloyingly sweet candied pineapple, bits of which appeared to be studded throughout the batter. Nice idea, but I hope they re-conceive this one.
Life is good (and yes, I work out).Listed in: Philly Cupcakes: Flock or…
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Review from Alexandra W.
Philadelphia, PA
6/1/2010
ZOMG.
I could eat these cupcakes for the rest of my life and be happy...though if that's all I ate, it'd be a pretty short life.
I recommend NOT eating them right after you buy them because they are kept in a cold case. I know, it's hard to wait, but they're better when they're room temp, I promise. -
Review from Meg A.
Philadelphia, PA
8/19/2010
I went in on a whim when I was in the neighborhood, and was annoyed that there is a minimum to use a card. That is apparently illegal, but, I did not protest. I bought 3 cupcakes and a cookie. Here is what I thought of each:
Sugar Cookie - It was a nice size for a dollar, but I like my sugar cookies tender-crisp, which this was not. It was doughy and had a flour-like finish. It was also not really sweet enough. I threw most of it out.
Chocolate Peanut butter cupcake - Well, the top was nice with a healthy layer of PB under the fudge icing. But the cake itself was flavorless, bland, and bordered on stale! That is shameful! So I tore off the top, ate that, and threw the rest out.
Red Velvet Cupcake - I cannot believe this seems to be a favorite cupcake for people on here. I thought it was terrible! The color wasn't even right! And the icing actually was - oily! I threw most of this out, too.
Chocolate on chocolate cupcake - this is the peanut butter one minus the PB. Guess what? The PB was the saving grace of that thing! Now, I am a chocolholic, and I am here to tell you this thing was so sweet it hurt my teeth. Also, the cake seemed stale - again. So here was this absolutely ghastly layer of super sweet Spackle on this pathetic, dry, flavorless excuse for a cupcake. Yuck. It also made the garbage can.
Next time I want cupcakes, I will spend a buck on mix, and make a dozen myself.
Utterly disappointing. -
Review from nicole p.
Philadelphia, PA
4/8/2008
I was so addicted to this place I would come once a week, leaving with a box of four cupcakes. The cute hip guys new my name, knew my daughter- we called it the cupcake store and it was such a happy time in our lives.
Then we would go late in the day to pick up cupcakes for a dinner party and the choices would be limited and I stopped seeing the friendly boys behind the counter that new us. We still came back though not as often, and well I have to say that it just is not the same. The cupcakes are quite delicious but the staff (owners) do not make us feel loved. Cupcakes yummy - staff (blah) -
Review from cherie c.
12/8/2007
Holy freakin' crap! I'd been told Brown Betty was delicious, but for some reason I brushed off the enthusiasm and thought, 'ehh, it's probably pretty good but not THAT great.' I assumed it was just cool because it's in a hip Northern Liberties location. I wholly admit that I was completely wrong.
Delicious cake, not too sweet. light in texture. Thick creamy frosting. Oh, yeah!
The room itself has just two tables and a comfy sofa. You can get a beverage or coffee, but it's not really an eat-in kind of place. I imagine many brides and party planners sit here with the staff to go through their catalog and choose a cake.
They were working on a gorgeous polka dot fondant decorated cake when I stopped in. The samples on display were impressive, too.
If you want to impress your guests with both beauty AND deliciousness, and you can afford to splurge, see Brown Betty Dessert Boutique. I think the prices are completely fair and on par with the flavor and effort that go into these desserts.
They also have cupcakes, cookies, rice pudding, and, of course, apple brown betty if you're only entertaining yourself and a friend. -
Review from steven d.
Philadelphia, PA
8/29/2009
Can i say "Meh" and not have people go all psycho on me? I'm a baker and my daughters and girlfriend all agree that i can make a better cup cake.
My take on "Brown Betty's": overpriced for "OK" cupcakes.
Also color me unimpressed by their "Cake Book". Sure, fondant always looks pretty, but the one pic of the cake that had only a butter cream or frosting of some kind had rough edges and shoddy border work. I can appreciate the concept, just found the right niche for NoLibs peeps that think its hip to pay $3 for a so-so cup cake...... -
Review from Jeffrey F.
Jenkintown, PA
10/26/2011
Amazing cakes
Unbelievable
The best ever -
Review from Susan L.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2007
If you haven't already noticed, I luuuuves me some cupcakes, and the savory darlings at Brown Betty DELIVER!
I mean, what more could you want than:
Tasty frosting (thanks for the hint of lemon in the vanilla & the chocolate is pretty fantastic)
fresh tasty cake! (NOT to be confused with TastyKake--ugh gross)
large but not overwhelming
2 bucks
If they double the amount of frosting, I will give them the last star.Listed in: Have a Gr8 Life
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Review from Mikey K.
Philadelphia, PA
2/23/2009
Oh my.
If you are in need of an old fashioned sugar-rush then head on down and see the lovely ladies at Brown Betty.
They'll hook you up with a cupcake that is worth every penny -- all 300 of 'em.
BB majors in cakes so check out their printed menu if you have an approaching occasion. It is a known fact that if you bring a Brown Betty cake to a dinner party everyone will fall in love with you.
In the meantime, some tips for on-the-go dessert enjoyment...
The cupcakes are best after they have been warmed to room temperature -- don't eat them right away or you won't enjoy the full flavor. (It took me several trips to actually take this advice.)
If staff isn't frantically busy and you ask nicely and they just might do it for you.
The chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting topped with coconut is hands down my favorite.
Keep an eye out for platters of free samples! -
Review from Annie D.
Silver Spring, MD
5/16/2010
Pineapple cupcakes are where it's at!
I love Brown Betty as does anyone I've ever taken there. They are inventive and their cupcakes taste every bit as good as they look. I've taken countless visitors to Brown Betty and most of them request a return visit every time they come back to town.
Pineapple is my fav, but the Red Velvet are a VERY close second. As mentioned by the misguided reveiwer before me Brown Betty will close early if and when they sell out, and they WILL sell out of the goodness. This is common practice at any quality bakery, since baked goods made sans crap ingredients start to decline in freshness the moment they are cool and ready for eating. I suggest stopping at Brown Betty to make a purchase early in the day, you'll be glad you did. Besides BB cupcakes taste better at room temp anyway. -
Review from Kristine and Jeff G.
King of Prussia, PA
11/30/2009
I've been wanting to try these cupcakes for a long time. My one coworker said that their red velvet cupcakes were the best he's ever had so that definitely intrigued me.
We finally made it on Saturday. The cupcakes are $3 a piece and are slightly bigger than a normal homemade cupcake. They had a pretty good variety including their new sweet potato cupcake.
I ordered the red velvet and Jeff ordered their pineapple cupcake. Both of us, thought they were just okay. The cream cheese icing on my cupcake was perfect, but the flavor of the actual cake didn't leave me craving more. Jeff's pineapple cupcake had a nice flavor, but again, it was nice, but not great.
Are we becoming cupcake snobs?? -
Review from Babs S.
Gladwyne, PA
2/1/2012
These cucpakes are amazing. But they are also EXTREMELY RIDICULOUSLY overpriced and more or less represent everything that has gone wrong with the good things in the Northern Liberties.
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Review from james k.
Brooklyn, NY
1/13/2010
All I can say is "MEH". I think they are way over-hyped and the cupcakes are totally unimaginable and can I just say down right "ugly"?? Not to mention the cake itself was dry and don't get me start on their icing!!
If you called yourself a "dessert boutique", at least make the cupcakes some what more "exciting"! This is no where near Citizen Cake or Kara's Cupcake in SF.
Boutique or not, their cupcakes are totally forgettable at best. Not to mention the rude stuff and the pretentious hipsters that works there! -
Review from Erin F.
5/16/2010
So, so good. I saw Brown Betty's on TLC's "Best Food Ever" Top 10 Bakeries special. They came in at number 2, yay! After putting it off for a long time, I finally tried BB's yesterday.
You see, I am somewhat of an amateur baker myself [I placed 3rd in the Piranha Betty's pie contest, even though that shit was pretty much rigged, since the guy who won from Murph's Bar was handing out his own pie and trash talked competitors - I was the only independent party who placed, coming in behind Murph's and Darling's, so I consider myself a winner] and not easily impressed, especially by cupcakes. I baked myself into a cupcake k-hole last year and have been reluctant to eat them since. And, much like Elaine Benes, I have been driven to madness due to an unusually high rate of office birthday celebrations and cake and the thought of cake now drives me insane.
But. Brown Betty's is awesome! I had a chocolate & coconut cupcake yesterday for dessert. It was heavenly. The cake was moist and dense and the frosting was absolutely delicious. I had a bite of the pound cake was exactly what I imagined it would be - sweet and rich and heavy and good.
I tuned out the rest of the world and ate my cupcake extremely fast while watching The Sandlot. It was the bomb.
Evidently there are a few Brown Betty locations near my office, but I'm going to restrain myself and only go on the weekends on ventures over to Northern Liberties. They have a wide array of cupcakes, even though the case looked a little skimpy by the time we showed up yesterday, and I look forward to sampling all of them. At the same time. Like some Man vs. Food thing. See you there!Listed in: Sweet-ass Sweets
