Lindsey Bakes

I found LIndsey through a recommendation on Chowhound. She is an online business that bakes out of a commercial kitchen on Roncessavelles at Gurt’s Yogurt Shop. Some of her goods like character cookies, cake pops and cupcakes are sold here. You can also get information on her products or leave orders or pick up orders here.
I am relatively new to Toronto and had been planning my daughter’s birthday as well as a party for her preschool class. We had decided to do cupcakes for both parties and a small cake as well for one. I had gone to a few bakeries to taste their cupcakes and started realizing that not all cupcakes are equal and a cupcake, is not just a cupcake, especially when they are charging between $ 2 – 4 for each one. I continued my cupcake crawl with my sister and we really started to get an idea of what Toronto bakeries had to offer as far as cupcakes and I definitely figured out what I liked.
First off, most Toronto cupcake bakeries use an American style frosting or a simple birthday cake buttercream icing made of icing sugar, butter/​margarine/​shortening, milk and vanilla and/​or other flavorings. This icing, although loved my many, is too sweet, gritty and «crusty» for me. I definitely prefer a Swiss or Italian meringue buttercream made with cooked egg whites, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, milk or cream and vanilla and/​or other flavorings. It takes more work but is much less sweet, more creamy, smooth and fluffy and doesn’t make you feel like you need to visit your dentist asap or rinse the grainy sugar taste out of your mouth.
I did find a few excellent bakeries in Toronto but then Lindsey Bakes was suggested to me. I had already decided to go with someone else but thought, hey why not give her a try and see what her product is like? If nothing else, I can review it and let others know about her.
From the first email, she has provided excellent customer service. She answers all my questions and is very accommodating to my ideas and wants. She even provided me with 4 full size cupcakes to taste whereas almost every other bakery had me buy my cupcakes and didn’t offer any free tastings even though I was ordering for 2 parties. Customer service goes a long way to develop good feelings and loyalty. Lindsey’s buttercream was smooth, light and yummy. After a couple of more emails, I was convinced that she was the right choice for us. She was even willing to provide a cupcake stand and deliver both my orders the mornings of the parties for a very nominal fee. It was a no brainer, we had to go with Lindsey Bakes.
I have only tried 2 flavors of her cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla and both were good. I am sure that her other flavors are just as good. My daughter has had 2 of her cake pops in the last few weeks, one chocolate and one vanilla. She loved them both! I am even thinking of adding cake pops to my order as loot bag favors. They aren’t my favorite thing but kids love them and honestly, so do many adults or Starbucks wouldn’t be selling a tonne everyday.
Yes, there are a few other excellent bakeries in Toronto, with similar prices and that do Swiss Meringue buttercreams. Wedding Cake Shop, Dessert Lady and Bobbette and Belle top the list. (I am talking cupcakes here. I know others like Rahier do amazing cakes) but Lindsey offers something a little extra in her customer service and you know that she will do her best to make your day special.
I am looking forward to my orders and will report back in the next couple of weeks. However, judging by my experience so far and her reviews online, I am not worried at all and have total confidence in her.
The only reason I can’t give five stars yet is because the parties haven’t happened yet.