BAKERY PROFILE

Hardcore Sweet Bakery

★ 4.055 recorded reviewsUS$10–20

168 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, USA

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Hardcore Sweet Bakery
PLAN THE VISIT

Essential details

Address
168 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, USA
Phone
(860) 426-3110
Website
Visit official site
Rating signal
4.0 from 55 recorded reviews
HOURS

Listed operating hours

  • MondayClosed
  • TuesdayClosed
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
About and visit notes

An Overview of Hardcore Sweet Bakery

For those with a serious sweet tooth in Connecticut, Hardcore Sweet Bakery is a name that needs no introduction. This isn't just any bakery; it's a celebrated local institution that has built a reputation on creating some of the most delicious and creative cupcakes you'll ever taste. Founded by Nicole and Jeremy Braddock, the bakery's journey began with a food truck and culminated in a win on the Food Network's hit show, "Cupcake Wars" in 2013, solidifying its place in the Connecticut culinary scene. Hardcore Sweet Bakery is known for its "gourmet" and "beyond expectation" creations, with a focus on doing a few things "exceedingly well." The owners' background in art and music is reflected in their fun and unique approach to flavors and designs, from rock-and-roll-themed cupcakes to custom creations that bring a client's vision to life. The bakery is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates quality baking, a creative flair, and a dessert that is a true work of art.

Location and Accessibility

Hardcore Sweet Bakery is conveniently located at 168 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, USA. This address places it within a massive brick building shared by other stores, in the heart of Southington. While one customer noted that the handicap entrance was a bit hard to find, there is one available on the side of the building, ensuring accessibility for all patrons. The central location makes it an ideal spot for those in Southington and the surrounding areas, including towns in the greater Hartford region, who are looking for a special treat. The bakery operates with a retail store open six days a week, providing an assortment of cupcakes, cookies, and other treats for walk-in customers. Its presence in a bustling area ensures that it is easy to get to, whether you're making a dedicated trip or just stopping by. The owners also engage in community outreach, hosting events and classes that further cement the bakery's place as a local hub.

Services Offered

Hardcore Sweet Bakery offers a range of services that go beyond a simple retail experience, with a focus on custom orders, special events, and dietary needs. While their daily selection is intentionally limited, their full menu for custom orders is extensive and impressive.

  • Gourmet Cupcakes: The main draw is their gourmet cupcakes, which are available daily for walk-in customers. The flavors change daily, weekly, and seasonally, ensuring a variety of fresh and exciting options. A customer noted that each cupcake has a "fun surprise filling in the middle."
  • Vegan and Gluten-Free Options: A key service is their commitment to providing delicious vegan and gluten-free desserts. A baker commented that the vegan mint-cookie cupcake was "nailed," and a customer on a gluten-free diet had a very positive experience, noting that staff explained the options clearly.
  • Custom Cakes and Wedding Cakes: The bakery specializes in creating custom cakes for a variety of events. They are an award-winning wedding cake vendor, with customers praising their ability to create stunning and delicious cakes for their special day.
  • Other Desserts: In addition to cupcakes and custom cakes, the bakery also offers other delicious items like cookies, brownies, and mini desserts.
  • Take-Out and Delivery: All of their products are available for take-out. They also offer delivery within a 50-mile radius, which is a great service for customers who need a cake for an event but can't pick it up themselves.
  • Baking Classes and Events: Hardcore Sweet Bakery also offers community events, such as baking classes and a book club, showing their deep involvement with the local community.

Features and Highlights

What makes Hardcore Sweet Bakery a truly exceptional place is the combination of its acclaimed quality, creative approach, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

  • Award-Winning Excellence: The bakery won "Cupcake Wars" on the Food Network in 2013, which is a huge testament to the skill and creativity of the owners. This win gives them a level of credibility that is hard to match.
  • Unique and Delicious Flavors: Customers consistently praise the flavors as being "beyond expectation." One reviewer, a baker themselves, was "BLOWN AWAY" by the mint-cookie flavor, and another found the cannoli-topped one to be their favorite.
  • Vegan and Gluten-Free Expertise: The bakery excels at creating high-quality vegan and gluten-free desserts. A customer noted that the staff was knowledgeable about which items were gluten-free and vegan, making it a safe and welcoming environment for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Artistic and Gourmet Approach: The term "gourmet" is often used to describe their products. The owners' creativity shines in the surprise fillings and the textured icings, showing a level of expertise and attention to detail that is rare to find.
  • Strong Community Presence: Beyond baking, the owners are involved in the community through various events, from a book club to baking classes, which makes the bakery feel like a more integrated and valued part of the town.

Contact Information

To learn more about Hardcore Sweet Bakery, inquire about custom orders, or check their daily menu, you can use the following contact information:

Address: 168 Center St, Southington, CT 06489, USA

Phone: (860) 426-3110

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of Southington and the entire Connecticut region, Hardcore Sweet Bakery is an invaluable and beloved local business. It's the perfect destination for any occasion, from a small personal indulgence to a large-scale event. The bakery’s reputation for having some of the "best cupcakes" a professional baker has ever tasted is a powerful reason for locals to visit. The fact that they offer a wide range of delicious vegan and gluten-free options makes it an inclusive place where everyone can find a treat they love. Furthermore, the commitment to creative flavors, artistic designs, and high-quality ingredients ensures that customers are getting a top-tier product every time. By supporting Hardcore Sweet Bakery, locals are not just enjoying a fantastic dessert; they are supporting a small, award-winning business that adds a unique and vibrant flavor to the community. It's a place where every bite feels special, and every customer is treated to an experience that is truly a cut above the rest.

VISIT FEATURES

Services and accessibility

These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.

Service options

  • In-store pick-up
  • Takeaway

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park

Offerings

  • Coffee

Planning

  • Quick visit

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
PHOTOS

See the bakery

VISITOR FEEDBACK

Reviews and recurring themes

Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.

cupcakes 26frosting 8cookie 5building 5vegan 4whoopie pie 3gluten free 3cornbread 2cake pop 2dozen 2
★ 5.0

For preface: I’m a baker. I co-opened a bakery called Neighborhoods cafe in Fenway in 2012, and I did all the baking.I can say with confidence that this place has some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted: ever.I got six different ones, cut them in half, and tried a few bites of each.First off: I was BLOWN AWAY by the mint. I don’t think people realize how challenging it is to get that mint-cookie flavor, and both the vegan and the traditional cupcakes here nailed it!All cupcakes had a fun surprise filling in the middle (I love when bakers do that), and the cookie dough icing had texture AND TASTE (how, I may never know) of a light cookie dough!I think the cannoli topped one was my favorite but I all were beyond my expectation.No, they don’t have a million options, that’s because they do a few things exceedingly well. Bravo!!!6 stars!!!!This bakery is located in a massive brick building shared by other stores. It was hard to find the handicap entrance but there is one on the side!!!

Apr 3 · Kristy Johnson
★ 5.0

This place is amazing. The naked goods are gourmet and the best in Connecticut!

Feb 28 · Nicholas Cenimo III
★ 1.0

If I could give it a big fat zero, I would. Went there twice, first time pre-ordered during winter for a party and they sold the cupcakes to someone else after they were being held for me. Not even an I'm sorry from the person who did it. A year and a half later, go back to get a cupcake on a Saturday. Put it in the fridge, take it out to eat on Monday... take the wrapper off and it's full of mold. Not new mold, like it's been moldy for a while in the cupcake wrapper. That can make someone very sick. Will not ever go here again and I dont suggest anyone else does either. Bad service, bad food, bad business. Can't believe they were on any cooking shows except maybe worst cooks. Horrible :🤮

Mar 4 · Jodi Lowery
★ 5.0

This was my first time at this location. The staff was super friendly and helpful. This location has vegan and gluten free options so I will be bringing my friends back. All of the desserts look so delicious. Looking forward to trying them all.

Jul 19 · Shianne Purvis
★ 1.0

Not great at all. Not a great selection, some were dry some were soggy no taste terrible texture just too sweet. Cake pop was tiny and dry. Wayyyyy too expensive for what it is.

May 16 · olivia Berger
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About this listing

This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.

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