Despite the sour economy and all its bitter effects, some local bakeries are doing surprisingly well as customers look for a sweet escape. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

Some customers pay with cash. Others with credit cards. When it comes to cake, a budget seems to go out the window.

At Cake Man Raven in Fort Greene, there's a steady stream of customers seven days a week. Most come in for slices of the specialty -- red velvet. Many customers even buy several at a time at $6 a pop.

"Everyone needs something sweet in their life and this is the best thing going right now," said Cake Man Raven customer Maria Ramos.

Cake Man Raven says he bakes 1,200 cakes a week. And it's the customers coming in off the street seeking comfort food who are keeping his revenues up during the economic downturn. On the other hand, orders for wedding cakes are declining as weddings are being scaled back.

"It's not like the 300 people or 500 people that they used to have five, six years ago. It's more of like the more intimate, 100 to 124 people is the average size wedding cake we do now," said Cake Man Raven.

At the Little Cupcake Bakeshop in Bay Ridge, there are about a dozen different flavors of cupcakes. They cost about $2 each and provide an affordable treat for many customers who stop by.

"It's always great to go out and enjoy a cupcake and some iced coffee," said one Little Cupcake Bakeshop customer.

In addition to the cupcakes, one of the top sellers at the store is the Brooklyn Blackout cake.

"What's recession proof is the people's need to be happy, have their spirit lifted and I think our coffee and sugar helps people feel like they're being comforted," said Little Cupcake Bakeshop Co-owner Luigi Lobuglio

Though business is holding steady, the Little Cupcake Shop is finding ways to streamline its operation during the recession.

"We've saved over $21,000 per year compared to standard practices," said Little Cupcake Bakeshop Co-owner Massimo Lobuglio. "Everything from using less energy with these light bulbs, to Energy Star equipment, refusing to give plastic bags out unless people ask for them."

Over at Baked in Red Hook, people are asking for chocolate.

"I just love chocolate. I think I eat enough everyday that I have to sustain that amount of chocolate in my system," said Baked customer Jonna McKone.

Even store managers at Baked say they like to splurge on their sweet tooth.

"I can't forget about the chocolate chunk cookie which is absolutely my favorite, especially when it comes warm out the oven from the bakers," said Baked manager Elizabeth Reitz.