So Baked

Say what? Another bakery making vegan versions of their goodies for little ol' us? Yes ladies and gentlemen, more delicious deserts are on their way to your tummies, this time in teensy versions conjured up by Mini Empire Bakery and sold at local coffee shops.

Yummy treats such as Chocolate Stout Cupcakes and Lavender Blueberry Skookies (like a scone, but small like a cookie) are now available at local cafes around the city, including Porchlight Coffee and Healeo on Capitol Hill. Not all Mini Empire menu items are vegan, but most are including a Pistachio Rosewater cupcake (I love this flavor). They also will have gluten-free options.

Officially in business since January 2010, Mini Empire Bakery will host a launch party March 1, 2010 at Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream and Tea Room. They will pair their vegan cup-pies with vegan ice cream. Heck yes, do not miss. RSVP here.

Photos courtesy of www.miniempirebakery.com

Owners Morgan Greenseth and Christy Beaver plan to add more items to their delectible menu such as Margarita cupcakes and Blackberry Pear gluten-free cup-pies. I won't say no to either, personally. They also offer custom orders for events with two weeks notice. They may be coming in like a lion, but it doesn't sound like they'll be going out like a lamb.

Mini Empire joins the ranks of whole gaggle of wholesale bakeries with vegan cakes and pastries in our pretty city:

• Just launched last year, I Can't Believe It's Vegan, is an all-vegan wholesale bakery that started at Sureshot coffee house in the U-District but now distributes its beloved muffins, scones, and bars at cafes around Seattle and at Sidecar.
• There is also the (newly discovered by me) Radical Cupcake - they will make any wedding cake or cupcakes vegan and/or gluten-free.
• The extremely generous Sugar Crash Mobile Bakery, which focuses on fund raising dessert parties and is 100% vegan.
• And of course, Alicia Betty, who makes amazingly beautiful and fantastic tasting special order vegan cakes.

Add these five to the already established bakeries with vegan goods and storefronts such as Wheatless in Seattle, Julia's Bakery, Mighty-O Donuts, Cinnamon Works, and Flying Apron, and wowza, Seattle is so baked.