Baked & Wired

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is sample a city's cupcakes. Say what you will about the whole cupcake craze, but I believe cupcakes are trendy for a reason: their petite size offers controlled indulgence--and for many, who, like me, grew up on them--a trip down nostalgia lane.

Prior to the trip I'd researched two cupcake spots in Georgetown: Baked & Wired and Georgetown Cupcake. The latter had a seemingly unending line during their hours of operation, which might suggest that it is the queen of cupcakes. And perhaps it is, but with the constant rain we were dealing with, it just seemed like too much work. Instead we made our way to Baked & Wired, tucked away on a quiet block of Thomas Jefferson Street, just a few steps--but yet a world away--from the crowds on M Street.


Chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting - $3.50

Easy on the eye, but rich, even by my standards. I wanted so much to like this one, as the kid in me still loves peanut butter, but alas I had to resign myself to the fact that I liked J's selection much better...


Lemon Cupcake with Raspberry Filling and Lemon Icing - $3.50

Wow. J actually gave this one "best cupcake ever" status. And while it lacked the trimmings that tend to make me weak in the knees, such as sprinkles or coconut flakes, it really was amazing: moist lemon cake with raspberry filling and the most luscious lemon icing. We loved it so much that we went back the day we were leaving town in order to have one for breakfast.

Baked & Wired is separated into two distinct sides: one focuses on coffee and the other side is devoted to sweets: an array of beautiful cupcakes, massive peanut butter brownies, pistachio-cherry biscotti and the like. Visiting both sides is intended to get you legally "baked and wired." The particular barista we had on the coffee side was not nearly as warm as my latte, so I was initially a little confused that I could order and receive my coffee from her, but settle my bill on the cupcake side. In fact, she seemed rather put out to make my drink, much less explain how I should pay for it. Buzz kill. Having put myself through college by working as a barista, I feel justified in saying that her delivery was lacking. But with cupcakes like the lemon number, even a tart barista couldn't sour the experience.

- K

Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
202.333.5506