YYC Local – Crave Cookies and Cupcakes

On today’s YYC Local, we take a look at Crave Cookies and Cupcakes in Kensington. I know what you are thinking. “How many cupcakes did Nicole eat?!” I’ll just sidestep that question for a moment and simply say that I wanted to try every delectable creation on display! When I first moved to Calgary I lived downtown and Crave was something new. I had been in many, many bakeries before (I will admit my love for baked goods is due to my European upbringing) but Crave was something different, something fresh. The storefront is bright, modern, inviting, and oh so pretty. Everything is perfectly placed, every detail from trays to cakestands is thoughtful. This is what makes a simple purchase a whimsical and enjoyable experience!

Not only is presentation key, but the atmosphere inside the store is different as well. You can see the bakers baking. Everyone is caring and friendly which really gives you that small-town feeling.

Beyond the presentation, the baked goods are simply delicious. They have the best buttercream icing that is rich and flavorful. The pies are crisp and buttery, and those whoopie pie cookies…don’t even get me started on those. Everything tastes fresh out of the oven because it is.

Here’s a little background from Crave Cookies and Cupcakes:

Crave opened in 2004, with our first bakery in Calgary’s Kensington community. Since then, we have expanded to a total of six bakeries – four in Calgary, one in Edmonton and one in Saskatoon. We have over 100 full- and part-time staff who are passionate about baking and serving beautiful and delicious treats.

Crave is owned and operated by two sisters who learned the art of baking from their mother, grandmother, and aunts. Growing up on a farm in rural Alberta taught them the values of hard work, commitment to quality, and community.

We refer to our baking as home-style, which means we crack every egg and measure every cup of sugar. We bake in small batches and hand-decorate our cookies, cakes, and squares – just like you would in your own kitchen. Everything is baked fresh, which means some items are not always available in-store. However, all of our baked goods can be pre-ordered by phone or email.

Our amazing bakers are in the kitchen long before the sun comes up, making everything from scratch, using whole ingredients like milk, eggs, butter, flour, and sugar. Our menu consists of cookies, cakes, squares, pies, loaves, and, of course, cupcakes. Our Kensington bakery offers an expanded menu of cakes, cookies, squares and loafs. They also have an early morning menu of scones, cinnamon twists, and slices of loaves.

Crave is very proud to be a part of the community. Philanthropy and community stewardship is a priority and we contribute to all of our communities wherever possible. From local sports teams and schools to corporations – both big and small – we believe in the power of sweetness in making the world a happier place.

Their views on shopping local:

Crave started off as just one shop in Kensington, a neighborhood that offers lots of unique small businesses. The community here has been integral in helping us flourish and supported us in pursuing our passion of baking what we love every day. Supporting local business is something we are very passionate about, we love seeing local artisans who are passionate about what they do succeed. Small businesses are full of creativity and can offer truly unique products and experiences.  We are incredibly fortunate to have people like Calgary Food Tours and Market Collective in the city who champion locally.

7D Quarter Circle Kitchen

Kensington location recently renovated and now showcases the 7D Quarter Circle Kitchen, a beautiful space that reminds you that the kitchen is the epicenter of a home. 7D Kitchen hosts workshops and a chance to share a love of baking with others. Some of the workshops include healthy lunch snacks, jam making, and cake decorating. The 7D kitchen gives you a chance to reconnect with your love of baking and community!

And there you have it folks. Now check out these photos, and promptly head over to Crave to treat yourself. You deserve it!