Sprinkles Cupcakes Closes Stores: A Sweet Era Ends

A Cupcake Legacy Comes to an End

Today, December 31, 2025, marks the final day Sprinkles Cupcakes’ physical stores will be open, a bittersweet end to a beloved dessert destination that helped define the gourmet cupcake craze. Founded in Beverly Hills in 2005 by Candace Nelson, Sprinkles expanded nationwide and became famous for its premium cupcakes and 24/7 Cupcake ATMs.

Founder Candace Nelson Addressed the Closure

Candace Nelson who sold the company more than a decade ago, posted on Instagram reflecting on the journey, sharing gratitude to fans and the community who made Sprinkles part of celebrations and memories. Nelson noted that she no longer owns or operates the business but remains proud of what it became. 

Why the Sudden Shutdown?

Reports from employees and multiple news outlets indicate that stores across the U.S. are closing with very short notice, with many team members being laid off in the past 24 hours. There has not yet been a corporate statement explaining the reasons behind this abrupt decision, though social media reactions suggest shock and disappointment from both customers and staff.

Sprinkles’ Vegan Offerings

While Sprinkles was never a fully vegan bakery, it did offer a permanent vegan option that gained a loyal following: the Vegan Red Velvet cupcake which was a plant‑based twist on their fan‑favorite classic. Made with vegan soymilk and vegan cream cheese frosting, this cupcake brought joy to many vegans who traditionally had limited dessert choices at major bakeries. 

Occasionally, Sprinkles delighted plant‑based fans with seasonal or limited‑edition vegan drops as well. For example:

• A vegan chocolate hazelnut cupcake created with tbh hazelnut spread (Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things now defunct brand) appeared as a flash flavor offering.

• A Miyoko’s Creamery collab featured a special vegan sugar & spice cupcake that ran for a limited time during the fall season of 2024.  

These rare vegan collaborations gave Sprinkles fans something exciting to look forward to beyond the classic Red Velvet. 

Shipping Status Amid the Closures

For fans who hoped to still get Sprinkles delivered to their door, the situation is unclear. While Sprinkles’ website still lists a national shipping menu, attempts to place orders for dates beyond today, December 31, 2025, are not available. This strongly suggests that online shipping has effectively ended alongside the physical store closures. If you already placed a shipping order scheduled for today, it may still be fulfilled, but anyone hoping to order after this date will likely be out of luck.

For many, Sprinkles wasn’t just cupcakes, it was memories like grabbing one for a quick snack, late‑night stops at the ATM for a treat, or gifting a box during holidays. Today we say goodbye to those moments, but the legacy of Sprinkles, especially its push toward more inclusive options like vegan cupcakes, will live on in the hearts (and sweet tooths) of fans everywhere.