Whimsy Cakes, Catonsville

Sure, a fresh-baked cupcake is a surefire way to make someone's day. But what kind of cupcake will make that person the happiest? Chef Taneka Weldon, the owner and head baker at Whimsy Cakes, helps answer that question for each person who walks through her bakery's door.

Whether creating cupcakes (and cake pops) for special occasions or an everyday treat, Taneka offers a whole host of eclectic flavor combos. Think a chocolate cake topped in caramel icing and a pinch of salt; red velvet cake with New York–style cheesecake filling; or pumpkin spice cake with cinnamon cream-cheese icing. Those are just a sampling, and Taneka doesn't stop at cupcakes. She and the Whimsy Cakes team also​ bake fresh cookies and design elaborate, multi-tiered cakes for weddings, birthday parties, and other special events.