Perfectly Simple and Pink, How ScottCakes Became a Must-Visit Cupcake Shop in Provincetown

Pink, petite, and perfectly sweet—ScottCakes is everything you'd ever want in a cupcake and more. It's no exaggeration to say that my first bite of one sent me to another dimension: one filled with sugar, rainbows, and unicorns. I was transfixed!

Tucked away in a basement storefront along the ever-so-lively Commercial Street (the heart, soul, and lifeblood of Provincetown), you can't help but notice ScottCakes. Why? Your eyes will immediately be drawn to the bright and whimsical pink signage and the mannequin sporting a pink ScottCakes t-shirt set outside its door. ScottCakes isn't just the must-visit cupcake shop of Cape Cod, it's the passion project of owner Scott Cunningham, with whom I had the pleasure of speaking about his colorful cupcake shop.

How ScottCakes Started

Scott isn't a stranger to me. I met him through my dad's hiking club a few years ago. However, I now had the opportunity to speak with him at great length about his business. He's an enjoyable person to talk to and exudes positive energy, something I am very drawn to.

During our conversation, I asked Scott how his beloved namesake cupcake shop, ScottCakes, started. There was, of course, a backstory, starting with his days as an actor in New York City, where he worked in commercials and on the theater stage, among other creative pursuits in the industry. Several years ago, a play he was in was touring the country, with a six-week stint in Provincetown. He loved it so much, he decided to make P'town home and was able to do theater here.

After moving to Provincetown, Scott was doing a lot of inner work which involved meditating. He asked the Universe for his big success, and the Universe clearly spoke to him and showed him his big success was cupcakes, but only one kind and with pink frosting. Simple. The year was 2008, and he also came up with the idea to start selling his cupcakes—ScottCakes—on the streets of Provincetown. He garnered a lot of attention and demand grew for the decadent cupcakes with the perfect pink swirl.

Where to find ScottCakes

With the simplicity of ScottCakes made with golden buttercake and a perfect swirl of sweet, pink buttercream frosting, well, it was a recipe for success! By 2011, with a loan from his father, ScottCakes moved from the street to its current location at 353 Commercial Street. Scott's incredible and (now) iconic ScottCakes has been in business for 15 years, and it's not going anywhere! I asked Scott if he plans on expanding to other locations and, while there's no immediate plans to do so, he is open to it.

Like many small businesses in Provincetown, ScottCakes is seasonal. The bakery typically opens in April around Easter weekend, 7 days a week through the beginning of October. During the summer season, they sell hundreds of cupcakes each day and upwards of 1,000 on a holiday like the 4th of July.

After the high season, the bakery is usually open on weekends right before Christmas and for holidays, including Halloween and Thanksgiving, and during special events in Provincetown. Valentine's Day is also a big holiday for ScottCakes. But if you can't make it to Provincetown, cupcakes can be shipped throughout the year. Scott can also make cupcakes for weddings and other special events. I plan on ordering some for my wedding reception next year!

Perfectly Simple and Pink — There's Only One Kind

In a world where things can be so overcomplicated, I believe simplicity is best; and I think that's another reason why I love ScottCakes so much. Scott says that having only one kind of cupcake is symbolic. "Open your mind, there's only one kind," he told me as a metaphor that we are all human beings and we are all connected. This philosophy certainly resonates with me.

At one point, he thought about adding more flavors but opted against it. "I'm a ScottCakes maker, not a baker... ScottCakes was what it was from the moment it was," says Scott. Each one is the same: a perfect little cake with the signature pink swirl. There's only one. Simple, right?

As iconic as the pink frosted cupcakes are, the pink ScottCakes boxes I see people carrying around down Commercial Street are iconic as well. Anytime I see someone with a bright pink box in Provincetown, I feel the need to walk to ScottCakes to grab myself the ultimate treat.

From Solopreneur to Partnership

Having a good partner can be an essential part to a business. Luckily, Scott's husband, Dustin, has taken over all of the day-today, back-of-the-house business details such as social media, marketing, the website, online orders, shipping, and the admin. That way, Scott can concentrate on what he loves and does best — make ScottCakes! Scott and Dustin make a great team.

There's Only One

While there's only one cupcake at ScottCakes, there is only one Scott Cunningham. The man behind the iconic Provincetown cupcake shop is as one of a kind as the cupcake with the perfect pink swirl. I can't wait to get back to the Cape next summer so I can stop by for a cupcake and say hi to Scott. In the meantime, I may have to order a box of ScottCakes to be shipped to my house out west.

For location information and to order your own box of decadent cupcakes, visit the ScottCakes website, and follow the ScottCakes Facebook page and Instagram for updates.