Enjoy a small cake by the lake

Maybe a cupcake will help?

A cupcake might not solve all of life’s problems, but it’s worth exploring at Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery — especially when there’s so many options to try.

SmallCakes Cupcakery is listed by USA TODAY as one of the top 10 cupcake places to try in the country. It was founded by Jeff Martin, who appeared on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Local owners Shawn and Dannalee Nordhagen brought their Smallcakes to the lake in October 2017, which also featured an appearance by Martin on opening day. Before moving to the eastern side of the state, the Nordhagens owned and operated a Smallcakes franchise in Rapid City.

While Smallcakes is a franchise, it is an owner-driven company. The Nordhagens are able to use the unique tried and tested recipes created by Martin and incorporate their own marketing ideas and promotions. You can find the tasty treats at their Lake Lorraine location, as well as at special events across Sioux Falls. Smallcakes also caters for weddings, corporate events and parties, and offer special events at the shop, from cake decorating events to “Dessert in the Dark” (blindfolded cupcake and ice cream tasting) to special appearances from characters from the movie Trolls. (And the Nordhagens promise the Trolls characters will be returning again, along with special Trolls cupcakes).

The unique ice cream and cupcake flavors are what makes Smallcakes stand out — each day they offer 12 different flavors of their cupcake-infused ice cream and 14 flavors of gourmet cupcakes. For example, some of the July flavors include Mudslide, Fluffernutter, Shirley Temple, and Rootbeer Float. Gluten-free cupcakes and “pupcakes” are also available at the store. Cupcake smashes feature your choice of cupcake and ice cream flavor “smashed” together. You can also create a cupcake milkshake — a delicious mixture of ice cream and a cupcake blended together. Smallcakes also looks for opportunities to give back to the community through drives that benefit the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, one of the Nordhagens’ favorite charities.

Being located at Lake Lorraine allows the Nordhagens to be the neighborhood cupcakery and ice cream shop — and serve as a destination for others around the community and region. Smallcakes "by the Lake" is located at 2400 S. Marion Rd., Suite 130.

For more information about Smallcakes, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages or website. They are open every day except Sunday.