Cupcake Queen Crowned: It's Donna B's

If you live in Laguna Niguel you probably know for the most part who Donna Billman is.

The long time owner of Donna B's Bakery Boutique is considered by many to be the best cookie maker around, in addition to an all-around community advocate and someone schools look up to when they need to host a fundraiser. But now, Billman can add a new title to her list: cupcake queen.

Why? Because when it comes to the best cupcake in our fair city, residents head to Donna B's.

By an overwhelming margin, Donna B's finished ahead of several other businesses that offered cupcakes in Patch's search for the city's best cupcake.

As soon as we put up our list of nominees, readers started sending in their own comments: 'I love Donna B's cupcakes. They're the best'?' 'Donna B's. How come she wasn't on the list?' Donna B's is the best in Laguna Niguel no question!' 

We had no idea Billman made cupcakes, but we quickly found out she did, thanks to her devoted customers. She took the top prize with 50 percent of the vote, followed by and It's All About The Cake in Dana Point in Dana Point, both of which had 21 percent of the votes.  

Billman said, "if you like our cookies, you should try our cupcakes. "It is nice to have our cupcakes recognized in such a nice way. First, I would like to thank those who voted for us. Our bakery has been in operation since 1993, and although we are known for our cookies, gift baskets, and frozen cookie dough, we are now sell as many cupcakes and decorated cakes as we do cookies.

"We have been selling cupcakes since the 'cupcake craze' began in 2007. It was a natural and easy addition to our line of custom decorated cakes. What I believe makes our cupcakes unique, is that I pay special attention to how are cakes bake out. I prefer a softer lighter cake than some of the other cupcakes I have tried," she continued.

"Additionally, our cupcakes are iced with a smooth, non-dairy, whipped cream like topping versus sugary butter cream icings. Because most of our products are made to order, we do make a wonderfully smooth butter cream frosting when requested. And of course, we ice our red velvet cupcakes using our delicious cream cheese frosting recipe."

Billman also noted that as the popularity of her wedding cakes grew, she discovered that brides and grooms have become increasingly interested in serving their guests alternative sweets to nibble on during the celebration.

Here is how the voting played out:

Who Has The Best Cupcakes In Laguna Niguel?

• 1. Sugar Pies Coffee House & Bakery 14 (21%)
• 2. Cinderella Cakes 2 (3%)
• 3. Savoie's Fare 2 (3%)
• 5. Gelsons in Dana Point 0 (0%)
• 6. Pain du Monde in Dana Point 0 (0%)
• 7. Donna B's Bakery Boutique 33 (50%)
• 8. It’s All About The Cake, Dana Point 14 (21%)

Total votes: 65

We salute Donna B's for winning our Readers' Choice Best Cupcake award. Now whip us up a batch!

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