Best Disney World Cupcakes
Walt Disney World bakeries and restaurants offer a lot of decadent snacks, including cupcakes. Here’s our list of the top Walt Disney World cupcakes, along with photos of our favorites, and where to find them.
Cupcakes at Disney are something of a running joke. It seems like Disney has a special cupcake for every occasion, and while there’s a certain humorous truth to this, there’s good reason for it: many Walt Disney World cupcakes are delicious. However, not all Disney cupcakes and snacks are created equally. Some are utterly amazing, and some taste like a grocery store “day old” manager’s special–the only real thing in common among these snacks is that they’re all expensive.
Whether you’re paying for snacks out of pocket or using your precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits, you’ll want to make sure the snack you’re ordering is delicious. Since the sheer number of snacks can be overwhelming, and you can’t sample them all (okay, you probably could, but it would take a lot of time and be a lot of work…fun, delicious work!), we’re here to help by offering you our list of our top cupcakes at some of Walt Disney World’s best bakeries!
The cupcake craze swept Walt Disney World a few years ago when we originally compiled this post, and is still going strong. We have updated this post when we’ve tried new cupcakes (last update May 13, 2017), so check back for our new favorites periodically…
The latest cupcakes to make waves at Walt Disney World are those from Sprinkles at Disney Springs. This is a West Coast chain offering gourmet cupcakes (their first location was in Beverly Hills, California) and the cupcakes are really high quality.
Sarah loves these, calling them the best cupcakes at Walt Disney World. Part of the reason she gives it such high praise is because of the quality of the ingredients. While I’m with her on that part, I wouldn’t go as far as to call them the best. They are consistently really good (and do score points for using quality ingredients), but I find the inventive nature of some of Disney’s cupcakes to be better.
Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom boasts several gourmet (in Disney parlance, that basically means “smaller”) cupcakes, including the Master’s Cupcake (a.k.a. Grey Stuff Cupcake) and several other choices.
These are reasonably strong options, with the Grey Stuff Cupcake mostly having appeal for it’s photo-worthiness. (It tastes pretty good, too.)
Here’s the German Chocolate Cupcake from the newly-redone (as of Spring 2017) Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
It was a really good, and well-balanced cupcake with a moist center and delicious toppings. This is one of the few Disney-made cupcakes that’s of the same quality as Sprinkles–and I’d say the flavor is more complex, too.
Contempo Cafe is one of the best counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World, and part of the reason why is because it always has an excellent selection of freshly baked desserts. (They actually have a cupcake calendar!)
A variety of Frozen cupcakes have been offered in the years since the movie’s release, with this being last year’s “Christmas” cupcake (the Contemporary has a Frozen gingerbread display, so I guess this matches that?). Regardless, it’s a really good peppermint cupcake.
Above is the new-look Mickey Mouse Oreo Cupcake from BoardWalk Bakery.
Almost as good as the original, albeit slight smaller, with less-cool of presentation, and not as good of texture.
Here’s the Minnie Mousse cupcake (get it?). It was moist, chocolate cake, topped with a light and rich dome (not just a thin layer—an actual dome!) of chocolate mousse on top. We highly recommend this cupcake, but it’s probably one you’ll want to split due to how rich it is.
This is the S’mores Cupcake. We were a bit skeptical of this one when we saw it, but it was so unique that we just had to try it. Although we love cupcakes, and we love s’mores, the two combined just didn’t seem right. Sort of like combining ice cream and french fries (although we hear some people do that, too; what will they think of next?!). Both great on their own…but together?! Well, we are happy to report that not only does the S’mores Cupcake combine two things we love, but it combines them masterfully!
The S’mores Cupcake is made of graham cracker-flavored cake with chocolate inside. The cake is perfectly moist, and not too dry. The cupcake is topped with melted browned marshmallow on top with a consistency that’s more on par with regular frosting than it is marshmallow. It tastes like marshmallow, though, so all is well. On top of it all is a piece of Hershey’s chocolate, which is the finishing touch on a really unique, and really delicious, cupcake! To our knowledge, this cupcake is only available at Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
The Chocolate Cappuccino Cupcake is an interesting creature and may not appeal to everyone. The cupcake has a chocolate cake based which is moist and great-tasting on its own. Haven’t lost anyone yet, have I? There are bits of toffee and chocolate on the outside, which are also great.
Now, the divisive parts: the rich frosting and fill have a distinctive coffee flavor. Not just a subtle undertone or hint of coffee, but an actual coffee taste. I’m not normally a fan of coffee, but I found this cupcake to be exceptional, as the coffee flavor wasn’t too much for me. Sarah thought it was a bit over the top, so your mileage may vary. We’ve only seen this cupcake at BoardWalk Bakery.
The Butterfinger Cupcake is one of the most iconic cupcakes of Walt Disney World. Popularized by WDW Today podcast and its Butterfinger Cupcake-challenge, the reputation of this cupcake now precedes it. This fine specimen has proven unconquerable for many a Disney’s Hollywood Studios guest, due to its massive size. We normally split this cupcake for that very reason (and because it’s relatively rich). The Butterfinger Cupcake masterfully combines Chocolate cake, vanilla frosting, chocolate coating, and real Butterfinger crumbles.
We’ve only seen this cupcake at Starring Rolls at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but there are rumors that it’s available elsewhere. It’s probably the most well-known of any Walt Disney World cupcake, but it doesn’t quite make the #1 spot…
The Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake with Candy Cane Sprinkles is the un-disputed #1 Walt Disney World cupcake. Unfortunately, it’s only available seasonally. This cupcake is truly a work of art. The base is chocolate cake that is perfectly moist and it’s covered in perfectly-flavored peppermint buttercream that tastes like a candy cane in frosting form.
There are candy canes around the outside that taste like real candy cane, and it’s all topped with two zebra sticks to garnish this masterpiece! Oh, I forgot about the best part, inside the cupcake is a fair amount of rich chocolate syrup. This is easily the best cupcake we’ve ever had anywhere, not just at Walt Disney World. Our tip: don’t share.
The Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake is a Walt Disney World mainstay that can be found in multiple places. Quite frequently, cupcakes lack balance. Too much thought and effort are spent on the savory frosting on top and the cake is an afterthought…a dry, sad afterthought.
While the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake is certainly top-heavy with its exquisite layering of thick cream cheese frosting with a center of actual cheesecake (center of the frosting, not the cupcake), it’s surprisingly not lacking in balance. The red velvet cake holds its own, offering the perfect compliment to the cheesecake and cream cheese frosting that attempts to collapse this light cake under its heavy weight. This cupcake is a real masterpiece!
I have no idea if this is the actual name of the cupcake (pretty sure it’s not), but this cupcake at Animal Kingdom is huge and quite the value.
It consists of white and dark chocolate for the monkey’s face, which sits on a mound of butter cream. Since all of that is so heavy, the cupcake itself is in an actual cup. The chocolate base is good, albeit a bit dense without any filling.
Here’s the PB&J Cupcake from Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Maybe we got unlucky with this one, but it was underwhelming. Too dry and just a weird flavor. In theory, it’s a great idea, though…
Some other great cupcakes we’ve tried include: Marble Cupcake, Carrot Cake Cupcake, and Peanut Butter Cupcake. It’s also worth noting that we, sadly, have not consumed every single cupcake sold on Walt Disney World property.
If you have questions about any of these cupcakes, please let us know!
To read Disney restaurant reviews from Walt Disney World and other dining resources, check out our Walt Disney Dining Reviews Index. Want more dining tips? Check out our 101 Delicious Walt Disney World Dining Tips. If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip, make sure to also read our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts…
What are your favorite Walt Disney World cupcakes? Any good ones we missed? Any tips we have that you think are bad? Hearing from readers is half the fun, so please share them or any questions you have about these cupcakes in the comments!
where can I find the blue Sully cupcake pictured at the end of the post; my daughter is obsessed with all things Sully.
I cannot find a Sully cupcake in disneyworld anymore BUT- go on Pinterest and search Sully cupcake and you and and your daughter can simply make the cutest Sull cupcakes together!
nice post
Where might I find a “Frozen” themed cupcake?
This might be a good place to voice my displeasure at the Star Wars dessert event at Hollywood studios. This Was our last trip to Florida with our children (since going once alone and also Disneyland as a family). We paid for the Star Wars special event including desserts and ropped off prime viewing. We were banded and chose our table waiting (to stand up) for the fireworks. shortly, camera crews with iPad props and several varied groups of individuals showed up and we were asked to move from the table we selected. I assume the cameras were meant to separate these new guest as more special than those who paid for a ticket. We learned through whispers and assumptions that these individuals were celebrity Disney bloggers. Their opinions were obviously very important to the Disney Promotional teams. What upset me the most were the cupcakes. As paying guest we chose from the food available on the main tables. The special blogger guest were given larger cupcake versions of our smaller cupcakes – I assume because they were more photogenic. What upset me was the assumption that viewers might make when viewing the bloggers footage. I think that is total misrepresentation of cupcakes. And not fair to those of us who totally love cupcakes. I attended this event on behalf of my husband who is a Star Wars fanatic and I was promised a cupcake. Imagine my surprise when only the alleged celebrities got the large cupcakes. I didn’t not think it was fair to misrepresent the event and ask those of us who paid to quietly defer our prime viewing. It made me question ALL Disney promotions and photo shoots. We haven’t paid for a dessert party since.
I believe the group you ran into was from “Cupcake Celebrity Apprentice” as they were recently shooting at HS. This popular fledgling show from the pay-per-view NetCakes stream is a competition based reality series documenting the ambitiously aggressive field of Cupcake blogging around the world with contestants vying for a mentorship with Sprinkled. Winner will also invent a cupcake profile with John Cena and Gordon Ramsey to be marketed on Etsy. Intense!
From my experience all of the Disneyworld dessert parties are awful. The tiny desserts are a real disappointment for this rather expensive “event” I paid $600 for my family and was silly enough to try it more than once. I’m a passholder and Disney lover but many of these events are just not worth $6 much less $600 especially the dessert parties.
Where do they sell the red velvet cheesecake cupcakes?
Loved the Lemon cupcake at BOG!!!
Based on the comments, it looks like this is an older article. Is there anyone who can
provide me with info on gluten free desserts? My daughter and I are both celiac and I am so nervous for her – that it will be the same gluten free dessert offering the while trip. It is not the end of the world but she is little and I know it will be hard on her to see kids with all these other treats. Anyone have any tips specific to gluten free?
I love this blog and it would be amazing to see the author do a blog on allergens…not the most fun stuff but a huge part of the planning process for families with allergies…and there are a lot of them!
It’s not all-inclusive, but this site might help: http://www.glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com/menus/
Mickey bars (or other ice creams) are always a good gluten-free dessert.
Thank you!
Erin McKenna’s NYC Bakery in Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) is an entire gluten free and vegan cafe. I am also celiac and the past 2 trips I’ve taken I stock up on treats for a couple days at a time 🙂 The quality of ingredients is the best in all of Disney in my opinion. They are a bit pricier but oh so delicious. Within the parks is a bit trickier, not all places have GF desserts but certainly the sit-down restaurants make an effort and different places have different offerings (1 or 2 usually). Many quick service restaurants don’t have GF dessert options but dole whips or ice creams usually suffice!
Thank you!
As a fellow celiac, I understand your issues. Sprinkles make a red velvet gluten free cupcake that would make you forget it is gluten free. And for your daughter, it is worth noting that Mickey Bar ice creams are gluten free – a highlight for me. For GF Mickey waffles then a character breakfast at Crystal Palace is a must. They had donuts and all sorts of treats for me that they then packaged up for me when I couldn’t eat it all, for snacking during the day. Also, Beaches and Cream Ice cream store had the best GF hot fudge brownie sundae ever! Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner was also very GF friendly. I could write for ages but I hope this helps!
Any idea where to snag one of those Butterfingers Cupcakes now that Starring Rolls has closed?
Trolley Car Cafe (Starbucks) which is just across the street from where Starring Rolls was carries the butterfinger cupcake under a different name. The chocolate toffee cupcake if I remember correctly.
Trolly car Starbucks at Hollywood studios only!
IT is hands down the best cupcake I’ve EVER had!!!!
Great post! WDW has some amazing cupcakes, but like you said- they are definitely NOT all created equal. I have had amazing & I have had incredibly disappointing cupcakes.
I have read your blog for years but never actually comment. Just wanted to add a quick note for people who have gluten or wheat allergies…
I was SO sad when I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy right before a WDW trip. Luckily Babycakes was still open at Downtown Disney at that point and I had my first taste of gluten free heaven. You can still get Babycakes products in Animal Kingdom where they have the ONLY allergy kiosk at Disney. And the hours can be a bit sporadic with them closing before the park so go EARLY. They have a great little 4 pack of GF/Vegan/Allergy friendly cupcakes. They also have incredibly delicious donuts… I cried, not joking, but good food makes me emotional.
Hi, just wondering if anyone knows where we can get the Minnie Mouse cupcake from? It looks delicious! My daughter would LOVE it, so would Mummy;) Thanks 🙂
I’ve just started perusing your site after finding it recently – terrific stuff and love your photos!
I had to comment on this cupcake post: Our kids (7 & 10) have severe nut allergies, which usually takes dessert off the table for us at virtually all of the Disney (and any other) locations.
Disney is great about sending chefs out to provide info on the products, and often offered us a packaged cookie that was safe in place of regular desserts.
When we spoke to to the chef at Be Our Guest, he told us that in that particular restaurant all of the cupcakes were made on site and no nut ingredients were used in their cooking or preparation areas SO DESSERT WAS ON BABY.
Gets me get all verklempt just thinking how excited the kids were. (Just the day before was the first time we all had “ice cream” together as a family outside of home, with Dole Whip as a terrific stand in.)
We used our stockpiled snack dining credits to get one of each cupcake and we ate them round-robin. Everyone was so psyched!
I think the consensus was that the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake ruled. Lemon-Raspberry was nice, Triple Chocolate was overkill. Except to my son, who started snarling as we reached for it. 😉
So, anyone with nut allergy issues, I suggest you check with the chef that nothing has changed and go for it!
A photo of our excited cupcake girl.
We will be at WDW in November and definitely want to try the chocolate peppermint cupcake. Do you have any suggestions where we will be able to find it?