The new year didn’t kick off well for Sprinkles Cupcakes, the national bakery chain that closed all of its locations Jan. 1. The closure was announced Dec. 31 and customers took to social media to lament the news. My original plans for this week’s theme were different, but this national story rerouted me.
Though Tarrant County was not home to Sprinkles’ brick-and-mortar shops, the company operated cupcake vending machines — called Cupcake ATMs — in North Texas. The absence was immediately felt by sugar lovers in Southlake Town Square, where one such ATM sat empty Jan. 1. A notice on its screen alerted shoppers it was “temporarily closed.” A pair of passersby looked mournfully at the machine, telling each other they wished they could order one more cupcake.
Whether you were a Sprinkles fan or hadn’t heard of them before now, there are other places in Tarrant County to satisfy cupcake cravings in 2026. If a cup isn’t enough, two of these shops offer full-sized cakes, as well.
Pistachio and gluten-free at Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi’s Cupcakes, a chain with outlets around the country, has locations in Fort Worth and Southlake. Their in-store menu shows a holiday pistachio flavor, featuring cranberries and pistachio frosting, as well as lemon, red velvet and strawberry shortcake. They have three “gluten friendly” flavors: brown sugar spice, triple chocolate torte and wedding cake. The latter is made with vanilla cake batter and buttercream.
Their online ordering page also shows mini cupcakes, vegan vanilla and chocolate flavors, brownies, cookies and cheesecakes, which come in both fruity and rich chocolate varieties.
2317 N. Tarrant Parkway, Fort Worth; 817-349-0246;
2364 E. State Highway 114, Southlake; 817-251-0834
European-style pastries at Mugs Cafe and Bakery
Established in Roanoke in 1996, Mugs Cafe and Bakery has both regular and mini cupcakes on its menu alongside eclairs, tarts, cookies and chocolate-dipped brownies. They don’t list the types of cupcakes they serve, but note online that their items are “subject to (the) baker’s discretion.” According to their website, the restaurant makes European-styled pastries and has “100s of mugs on the walls that we have been collecting since the late 70s.”
Like the other restaurants on this list, Mugs serves lunch, with club, turkey, chicken salad and ham sandwiches, quiche and a soup of the day. Those looking for some caffeine can choose from hot and iced lattes, a cappuccino, an Americano, drip and breve coffees. Breakfast sweets of croissants, muffins, turnovers and scones are also available.
103 N. Oak St., Roanoke; 817-430-3474
Keto and churro carbs at Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery
On top of the usual vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors Smallcakes has a few less typical varieties, like German chocolate, carrot cake and a churro option filled with dulce de leche. Their regular cupcakes go for $4.90 a piece and are topped with buttercream frosting. There’s a gluten-free version for $7.50, which comes in strawberry, vanilla or chocolate.
Smallcakes used to offer full cakes, but staff told me they’ve paused offering that service while they look for a new baker.
For frozen snacks, they serve raspberry, vanilla, lime and chocolate ice creams. If you’re like me and have trouble choosing sometimes, there’s always their Cupcake Smash, which lets you pair a cupcake and ice cream together for $11.
Something a bit different about this shop is they also have tropical fruit juices — strawberry, pineapple, mango and mixed berry — and an almond keto cupcake with sugar-free vanilla frosting.
721 Keller Parkway, Keller; 682-882-3793
We’d love to hear from you! Send your restaurant tips and hot takes to erin.ratigan@fortworthreport.org.
Erin Ratigan is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in narrative news features. You can find her on X @erinratigan.
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