The Match-Up: Dozen vs. CoCo's - Caramel Apple Cupcakes
We know there are more than two cupcake companies in Pittsburgh, but the debate always seems to be between the cupcakes at Dozen Cupcakes or the ones at CoCo’s Cupcake Cafe.
The pictures show Caramel Apple cupcakes from each store. Totally different presentation between the two bakeries. Immediately you will notice the one from Dozen is much larger than the one from CoCo’s – are they compensating for taste? The one from CoCo’s is covered in nuts and has a stick in it like a real caramel apple – is that to distract you from the small size?
Both places charge $2.50 per cupcake! But then again, that’s only half the price of a venti-soy-no-syrup-extra-sauce-caramel-latte with whip.
Dozen has a petite location in Squirrel Hill on Murray Ave, but they are expanding and also serve Lawrenceville, Downtown Cultural District, South Side (grand opening today), and sell Andy Warhol inspired cupcakes at the Warhol Museum. Some might say they are becoming the Crazy Mocha of cupcakes! But we’re not here to judge business plans, we just want good cupcakes.
CoCo’s is located on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. More than just a grab-and-go, CoCo’s has a cafe feel. They offer wireless and outside seating in the summer. We heard they even host birthday parties.
Honestly, we loved them both! So we’re leaving it up to you to determine the outcome of this debate. We want to hear what you think, vote for one of the cupcake places below – just fill in the blank if your favorite cupcake joint isn’t listed. BTW, did you know the mayor declared an “Official Cupcake Day” in the ‘Burgh?
Dozen Cupcakes vs. CoCo's Cupcakes
Caramel Apple cupcake from CoCo's Cupcake Cafe
Caramel Apple cupcake from Dozen Cupcakes
Dozen (left) vs. CoCo's (right)
Dozen (left) vs. CoCo's (right)
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CoCo’s Cupcake Cafe (map)
5811 Ellsworth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 361-2625
When are they open?
Sunday: 12pm-5pm
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday/Saturday: 11am-10pm
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Dozen Cupcakes (map)
1707 Murray Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 420-5135
When are they open?
Sunday: closed
Monday – Saturday: 9am – 8pm
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Cocos would be the best but they really reduced the size of their cupcakes :*(
haha this is hilarious. never had either one but i will try both now for sure.
TEAM VANILLA!!! Best ever….will never go back to any other bakeries.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by BoringPgh: Poll: Who has the best cupcakes in Pittsburgh? http://bit.ly/2wFMrp...
I heard they were giving away free cupcakes at the new Dozen location yesterday.
Oh please. Dozen has WAAAAY better icing. Cocos is all greasy.
Dozen has the best cupcakes in the city, for sure.
It’s cool how you showed the bags from each place. I prefer the bags from CoCo’s because they seem more environmentally friendly ~~no extra dyes, no extra sticker, just a brown paper bag with a stamp ~~pretty cool. Also, between these two cupcakes, CoCo’s has a bunch of nuts on top so it costs more to make probably and healthier for sure. I voted CoCo’s obviously.
Cocoa Sugar, having a bunch of nuts on top doesn’t make the cupcake healthier. That’s just silly.
Nothing personal but Coco’s doesn’t hold a candle to the cupcakes at Dozen.
Also:
Cocoa Sugar- Honey, you aren’t hiding anything with that handle. I know you’re just trying to emphasize what little IS good about your establishment, but this isn’t the place or way to do so. It’s supposed to be a public poll/forum. You’re clearly involved with the business. When an employee/owner of an establishment leaves a message like yours under the guise of being a random commenter, it shows nothing more than an extreme lack of respect for your customer base. Not cool.
That is so lame to think I am associated with either store just because I have a different view from you. My “handle” has nothing to do with CoCo’s, it’s a coincidence. If I was part of their enterprise don’t you think I would pick a more inconspicuous name…like “Pickles”? Don’t be so sour, Pickles, I like CoCo’s cupcakes BECAUSE they are smaller, healthier and easier for me to get to
Seems like you’re pretty (irrationally) angry over that post. Am I sensing you’re a Dozens employee?
Oh, and Cocoa Sugar, there is no way to make a cupcake healthy, nuts or not!
COCOS! Not only are their cupcakes amazing but the girls that work there are so cute and friendly. They are the closest thing I’ve found to the gourmet cupcakes I’m used to eating in my hometown of Chicago. I’ve had dozens before and it was nothing worth mentioning. I’ll have to check out Vanilla next time I’m in the area.
This Saturday, November 14th @ 3-5pm, CoCo’s is having a Vegan cupcake tasting. They are introducing 3 new flavors. You get coffee or tea and 6 mini vegan cupcakes for $5.
PS – No affiliation with either store, just vegan in Pittsburgh who loves cupcakes.
seriously the vegan cupcakes we had at cocos today were the bomb
When it comes to vegan cupcakes in Pittsburgh, there is only one name and that name is Iron Betty. She may not have a storefront and only offers up mainly private events like The Sunday Night Joyride at Howlers and the occasional appearance at Lawrenceville Little Flea, but her vegan cupcakes are hands down better than any non-vegan cupcake offered in the city. One day everyone will know her name in town, but until then those that know just know better (and I’m willing the majority of the write-in’s are for her here even without her resources of a storefront).
I’m completely baffled by everyone’s love affair with Dozen. The people who work there aren’t friendly and each of the 3 times I’ve been to one of the Dozen shops, my cupcakes have been stale. I really tried to like Dozen. I have it more than one chance.
CoCo’s quality is better and the baked goods are fresher and the taste is far superior – and they’re sticking with their one store (from what I can tell.) I have a vague sense that in an effort to put a Dozen storefront in each Pittsburgh neighborhood, the shop’s owners have stretched themselves too thin and as a result have compromised quality.
The ladies at CoCo’s worked with me tirelessly to get a cupcake tree made for my sister’s baby shower – complete with custom flavors, custom colors for the icings and custom decorations. And I’ll always love them for that!
vanilla pastry studio
I agree – Vanilla has much better cupcakes than either of these 2 businesses. I have tried all 3 and selected Vanilla to do the cupcakes for our wedding.
I agree with Cupcake Fiend and Frank. Vanilla’s cupcakes rule. No comparison. And the customer service there is excellent. They are happy to see you, and take the time to talk about the daily flavors. Vanilla got my vote, hands down.
After reading this article my roomate and I actually went out to both places to try the cupcakes. If we’re voting for the venues I pick coCo’s although they really ought to play some music for their guests. Size definitely goes to Dozens. And location definitely goes to Dozens since I guess they have like 5 places. And most importantly, for taste, I think they both rocked! Seriously, I think I’m hooked on cupcakes now – which might not be a good thing hehe. I suppose I can always eat the vegan ones people are talking about since they should be lower fat.
ps- Frank, we’ll definitely try this Vanilla place if we can find it. Thanks
I agree with those who said Vanilla Pastry Studio. I love the atmosphere of the studio. Plus, they have lots of other tasty treats besides cupcakes. Their breakfast breads are amazing! Mmmm…
vanilla is way better than coco’s or dozen, their cupcakes are moist and the buttercream icing is delicious, and they have so many original flavors
I’ve been to that Vanilla Pastry Studio and it wasn’t the same as CoCo’s or Dozen at all. It was more like a place you would go to place an order for a wedding (like Frank said above). There was a slightly pretentious feeling when I went in. I left because no one helped me and I didn’t see where to pick out my goodies.. actually, I think I drove up to CoCo’s after that ^^
vanilla is the best in the city…friendly people work there & the cupcakes are food of the Gods. worth the trip to east liberty
coco’s is #2 on my list the red velvet vegan is really really good !!!
dozen…i tried & tried to like them but they are just DRY …they taste stale. if i am spending this kind of cash on cupcakes i want the BEST !!!!
love you vanilla
Vanilla Pastry Studio’s are for sure the best.
Why aren’t they a choice?
Dozen’s are so dry and Coco’s so tiny.
I really love dozen but their service is the absolute worst. The girls working were very rude all three times I’ve been there.
The last time I was there I swore them off completely. First, they were out of coffee and told me I could wait. It was self serve so I already paid. After 15 minutes I told them I needed to go and asked if I could have my money back. They said no I could wait or just take decaf.
After choking down some decaf, I explained I was from out of town and got turned around. I needed to head to the interstate and asked simply if I needed to take a left or right on their street. They then told me that they weren’t from around here either and had no idea which way to go. I bet.
All around rude and pretentious. Seems like people working in a bakery all day should be a little more chipper than the post office.
I don’t understand the Dozens love, either. They tastes like they walked down the giant eagle on murray, took them out of the wrapping, and shoved them into a display case. I was really disappointed with them. Coco’s on the other hand is phenomenal. The cupcakes are smaller but what they lack in size they make up for in quality. The buttercream is light and not overly sweet. I’m not a fan of their cream cheese icing, but everything else is great. I think Dozen’s popularity stems from them being on the bus line. Its harder for me, as a car-less college student, to get to Coco’s so I’ve had to sacrifice for Dozens a few times. I’ve given up on them, though. I refuse to pay for something that tastes store-bought. After reading the replies on here, I’m definitely going to check out Vanilla! Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?
You know why Vanilla Pastry Studio isn’t an option? Because they shouldn’t even be compared to the quality of Dozen (dry/stale) or CoCo’s (small/overpriced). The cupcakes at Vanilla taste like heaven in a wrapper! Culinary geniuses! Plus their Turtle Brownies are like crack! I dare you to try their stuff and go back to Dozen or CoCo’s.
Vanilla is the best!
I have tried MANY cupcakes in MANY cities and Vanilla Pastry Studio has the best I have ever tasted. Why aren’t they on this poll? I tried Dozen and CoCo’s and they pale in comparison.
I can’t believe you left out Vanilla Pastry Studio…..I drive from Philadelphia to get these scrumptious delights….They are the best on the planet….
Vanilla Pastry Studio hands down. They use nothing but the highest quality ingredients and their flavors are the bomb. There’s no comparison. The staff is courteous and friendly too, and the atmosphere is just “sweet”. haha. Try it once and you’ll forget the names of the other two places real quick.
Dozen wins for marketing. They have won people over to their expensive, dry cupcakes with overly sweet icing because they are excellent salespeople with an army of devotees that would now enthusiastically eat a turd if it where covered in Dozen ™ buttercream. This is America, image and marketing trumps product about 99% of the time. I admit that I too bought into the hype and ended up throwing away half of my $2.50 cupcake. And I’ve eaten bulls balls. Do not cross these people; they will cut you. End of story.
Coco’s used to be good at first but not anymore. I do not know what happened to Coco’s. Not so good anymore. And pretty bad service to boot.
Vanilla’s is great. The actual chefs around town (including myself) know to go here when they are jonesing for a cupcake.
i believe this is the best comment yet <3
well said!!!
Vanilla Pastry Studio FTW!
I like Dozen’s cupcakes best. I never cared that much for Coco’s, so I haven’t been there in over a year, I’ll bet. I like Vanilla’s cupcakes, but their frosting is so wet and gooey, it turns me off.
The people who criticize Dozen’s cake as being “dry” must be used to the texture of Duncan Hines and Giant Eagle style of cake, which creates “moisture” through the use of chemicals. That’s fine for those people, but call it what it is.
I prefer a cake that’s made from butter and sugar, eggs and flour, a little milk, vanilla and some baking powder–a real cake, in other words. And that’s what you get at Dozen. It doesn’t taste dry to me at all. (And they have all these new flavors for fall.)
Oh, please. There is no excuse for a cupcake to taste dry! I’ve been to many a world class bakery and not once had a cake taste “dry” because the ingredients were just so superior to anything I’d ever tasted. That is ridiculous. Dozens = dry, no matter which way you try to spin it!
Bethel Bakery cupcakes are delicious. They are large and cost less than $2.50.
Seriously neither. Dozens are dry, Cocos are lacking flavor. I vote Oakmont Bakery. Go try some of their gourmet cupcakes and that will be the settling factor. double trouble, happy camper, and the pretty woman are my fave.
They don’t have fancy flavors, but the french buttercream of Bethel Bakery gets me every time!
I’ll take Vanilla.
My problem with both Dozen and Coco’s is that, if you’re asking your customer to pay $2.50 for ONE cupcake, they should very well be perfect. Or else charge less. I wouldn’t complain if they cost 99 cents.
Coco’s is struggling. And I keep hearing the same old story–that Dozen’s cake is supposed to be “dry” and that I must be used to cake mixes. I have heard this from people in the bakery! Totally rude. I’ve been baking for 25 years (from scratch) and I know the difference between a DRY cake and a DENSE cake.
GO TEAM VANILLA!!!!!! The red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting is the best thing I’ve ever eaten (and that’s saying a lot because I consider myself a true foodie)! I have never been treated snobbishly there — the owner, April, is often working at the counter and she is almost as sweet as her cupcakes. Yes, it is a place where you can (and I encourage you to) order a fancy cake like a wedding cake or a Charm City/Duff-like creative cake, but the cupcakes are also amazing and I think they even cost less than the ones at both Dozen and Coco’s. I am NOT a Vanilla employee or a personal friend of April’s or anyone else who works there. I’m just a Highland Park resident who thanks my lucky stars that Vanilla Pastry Studio moved into East Liberty!
Ok…I don’t know about you guys but I LOVE Vanilla Pastry Studio..I actually like them better than Dozens..I never ate Coco’s. So I’m on board for TEAM VANILLA
Hands down Vanilla Pastry Studio. I’ve tasted all three and Vanilla is doing my wedding cupcakes and cake!
Great cupcakes…great people….hands down….CoCo’s!
Tough call between CoCo’s and VPS. VPS is probably the best but CoCo’s has nice vegan cupcakes. Does anyone here know about a well kept cupcake secret in Pittsburgh… called Two Sugar Babies cool example here: http://steel-city-cakes.blogspot.com/ and buy their stuff here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/twosugarbabies Too bad they don’t have a store in the city.
i went to cocos today and i wasnt happy with the experience. they dont have labels on any of the cupcakes so you have to ask what each one is. pretty inefficient if you ask me.
the girls there were or mixing icing (or putting them in the dispensers) right in the seating area!! i was pretty disgusted and i thought thats what the kitchen is for. also, they should play some music or something in there. cupcake was pretty good though. way too small for $2.50!!!
Eh, I like that Cocos takes the time to explain to you what each item is. Every time I go in they ask if I’d like for them to explain the daily flavors. I went into Dozens last week and asked about the flavors and the girl just pointed to the sign and went about her business. I vote CoCos AND Vanilla.
Dozen has amazing icing and flavors, but the cake is unbelievably dry, unless you get the vegan cupcakes. Coco’s flavors and icing aren’t as interesting, but the cake is moist and perfect.
Vanilla Pastry Studio has equally good icing and flavors as Dozen, while having equally good cake as Coco’s. Hands down, the best cupcake in town without question. How the hell they didn’t make this poll makes me scratch my head.
I would have to say that CoCo’s vanilla cupcake is the best in terms of the cake. But I love Dozen’s frosting and cupcake presentation — reminds me of Magnolia’s in New York City.
The only cupcake that really stands out from the pack and (flies under the radar) is Food Glorious Food. They kick *ss. Check them out Sat. Morning in Highland Park. Be prepared for a twenty plus minute wait in line. They aren’t totally secret.
yes, magnolias in nyc is great, albeit way too sweet (for icing)..but the cake is always fresh and moist. why can’t pittsburghers have that same level of quality? well we do.. its vanilla pastry studio in east liberty! the red velvet is to die for. and i only wish they would take over the city like dozens has, because they really know how to make a top notch cupcake! vanilla forever.
This is a tough call. Dozen ppl arent very nice. Prices are high and cake is dry. CoCo’s arent the nicest, cake is nice and icing is nice, but the cafe could be better. Prices are high. Vanilla ppl are the nicest. Prices are better. Cake is good. Icing is waaaay too soft. And they put this glitter stuff on it that just cant be healthy I still vote vanilla.
I can’t believe you didn’t include Vanilla in the competition! They easily blow away the other two shops.
Love Vanilla’s Pastry Studio in the East End. Far better than the other two places!
@Sweetooth – They use edible glitter (http://www.sugarcraft.com/catalog/flowers/about-ed-glitter.htm) which is safe to consume. As for “healthy”, well, we ARE talking about cupcakes!!!
[...] long time ago, the loyal subscribers of Boring Pittsburgh decided that they preferred other cupcakes over the ones baked at CoCo’s. Not only did Dozen beat [...]
Haven’t had Cocos, but had Vanilla and Dozen. I have no idea why people like Vanilla. It is like something I could make at home out of a box. Nothing special at all and not even that great tasting. Why would I pay that much for something that looks like ANYone could have made it? Dozen rocks. It’s just the best in Pittsburgh, hands down. I’ve been to their cupcake tastings before, by the way, and they are FREE! I can’t believe Coco would make you pay for a tasting. Sounds lame already…