Rubicon Bakers

Cakes and cupcakes.  The items featured at many an office party.  Not my absolute favorite desserts, but my sweet tooth is always up for trying something, such as those from Rubicon Bakers.  Rubicon does not have a retail storefront of their own, but they sell wholesale to many grocery stores around town. 

"Bake a better world."

Rubicon Baker's slogan is one that is actually meaningful - they employ folks who need a second chance, many who are recovering from substance abuse issues.   They make primarily cakes and cupcakes.

My main impression of Rubicon has always been "eh".  Grocery store quality, if you know what I mean.

Cupcakes

Rubicon sells several styles of cupcakes to stores, including basic blank, naked cakes in all their base flavors (white, chocolate, carrot, red velvet, vegan chocolate), designed to be frosted by the stores.  They also of course sell fully retail ready, already iced (and filled), in varieties like Chocolate Cream, Carrot, Triple Lemon, Strawberries & Cream, Mint Chip, Red Velvet, and Vanilla.

Retail Ready.

The ones I had were the retail ready variety, boxed up as 4 full size cupcakes in each pack.

Vanilla.

First up, basic vanilla.  The vanilla cupcakes weren't very good.

They were kinda dry.  A very boring generic base, didn't taste "vanilla" just "plain sweet".  The icing also plain and boring, just sweet.   I give one point for cute sprinkles though.

Not worth a second bite really.

**.

Pumpkin Pie.

Luckily, the seasonal pumpkin pie cakes were much better.

Still not a very moist cake, but it was well spiced, classic "pumpkin pie" spices, but not overpowering.

The cream cheese icing was also much better than that on the vanilla, it was creamy, had a good tang.  

Overall, not amazing, but decent enough.  I wouldn't get another but finished one easily.

***.