Luscious Layers Bakery

2315 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-1335

Once upon a time, there were two little girls: LiLy and Molly. Although both liked to bake cupcakes, their styles were very different. LiLy filled her cupcakes with love, sunshine and roses. Molly, a bad seed of a child, filled her cupcakes with chaos, maladies and DickCheneysauce. They both grew up and opened cupcake shops in the Second City of Wind. This is the story of LiLy the Good's cupcake shop - Luscious Layers...

This place is the best cupcake deal in town. $1 for a full sized, real cake (not cupcake cake - REAL cake), specialty cupcake? In Bucktown? What? It's true. Because the sight of myself in only a pair of underwear doesn't already make me cry hard enough, I decided that I should treat myself to some cupcakes. After all, swim suit season is behind us and sweaters are very forgiving. I walked in the front door and...what is this? Is this place a front for the mob? It's empty. There was just some lonely guy, sitting behind a sad looking cupcake display. I had my "mmm hmm" face at the ready. This couldn't possibly be the source of cupcake bliss.

Oh, but it is.

The guy worked the front of the house, while LiLy (or, Ashley) commandeered an army of rainbows and unicorns to make her delectable delights. The cupcake selection changes daily, so check the web site before you come in. I was hoping for Honey or Lavender but I was out of luck. What they DID have was Creme Brule, French Toast, Mojito and something else that escapes me. I tried three of the mini cupcakes (fresh from the cooler display) and was happy enough with how they tasted. I ordered a white with Mojito, Chocolate Cardamom and a white with Raspberry. The nice guy at the counter let me know that the large sized Mojito varied from it's mini doppelganger by virtue of it's creamy middle. Ok. Thanks. Later on.

When I got home, instead of putting the cupcakes in the fridge to keep them cool like they were in the store, I left them on my counter while I flopped on the couch and watched WordGirl. Satisfied with how Becky saved the day and eager NOT to watch that know-it-all Maya (and her beat down twin Miguel), I happened upon the white with Mojito cupcake. STOP THE PRESSES!! These cupcakes should only be eaten at room temperature. What was polite indifference at the store ("Justify my Love," if you will) turned into blind wanton lust at home ("Erotica"). Every part of this cupcake was scrumptious. The white cake was flavorful and cake-y (but light). The frosting was sugary, flakey and creamy (yes, all three at once). And the creamy middle was what those Hostess cupcakes always dreamt of being. Incredible. I fought the urge to devour the cupcake in one bite. I savored the flavor. Eating these cupcakes too quickly should be a crime. Luckily, I have two others.

...and, I lived happily ever after.