If you go to the address listed on the Facebook page of Winona, MN-based Mon Petit Cupcake, you may be disappointed to find not a charming small-town bakery but the Bluff Country Co-op, out of which these cupcakes are sold.
The disappointment wears off fast. These cupcakes, which have a burgeoning national and statewide reputation, don’t initially shock and awe — they’re modest. In fact, that may be the overall reason that they’re so good — baker Jennifer Rogers imparts a sense of balance and proportion that is graceful and understated. The slightly crunchy frosting is pleasingly sweet but not dagger-to-the-brain sugary. The cake itself is moist and flavorful, but holds together beautifully. (It’s always nice when a cupcake wrapper peels right off without taking any hunks of dessert with it.)
We sampled two varieties during a recent trip to Winona: a creamy, mellow, White Wedding cupcake featuring vanilla buttercream on a bourbon vanilla cake and Oh Scarlett!, a cream cheese-frosted red velvet Dutch cocoa number that was luscious, rich, and not a ghastly face-staining red. In both cases, the cupcakes (which were $2.50 a pop) were Zen-like in their sense of harmony, and adept high-end interpretations of straight-down-the-middle American homemade cupcakes.
Mon Petit Cupcake
Available at Bluff County Co-op
121 W 2nd St
Winona, MN 55987
507.358.8504
Since we’re on the subject of Winona, another place you need to try is the Blue Heron coffee house: http://www.blueheroncoffeehouse.com/
They have the most delicious, locally grown, organic food options. The coffee is good too!
These are better than wedding cakes!
Mon Petite cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts, and I’ve ordered them for many special occations. My absolute favs are the Fleu de Sel and the coffee-flavored inspired flavors. They also sell minis! I am originally from Winona and am estatic about the opprotunity to have such a fabulous, local dessert option!