Happy Bakeshop

At Denver's Happy Bakeshop, the focus is on gourmet cupcakes, but the bake shop also throws down a few other goodies, like French macarons, whoopie pies, cake truffles, cookies and cakes. Owners Laura Reynolds and Sara Bencomo were partners with the dream of opening a bakery when they met Lisa Herman through a mutual hair stylist, and the three went on to create their award-winning cupcake shop in northwest Denver. Happy Cakes makes gluten-free and vegan treat along with gourmet versions of black & white, red velvet, cookies & cream, Mexican chocolate, snickerdoodle and raspberry-passionfruit cupcakes -- the last of which is particularly delectable. There are also daily flavors and a mystery flavor on Thursdays, and the ever-popular Jack & Coke cupcake is a sweet pick-me-up when the real thing isn’t available.