Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes
If you adore cupcakes (like I do!) then a trip to New York City isn’t complete without visiting a few bakeries that specialize in these cute little treats. I have been to the Magnolia Bakery twice. The first excursion was in May 2002, just as the cupcake craze was beginning. A friend introduced me to it, knowing my love for baking and all things homey and nostalgic. I was immediately charmed by the whole scene – pedestal cake plates with lovely confections, a window for watching employees top the little cakes with wonderful dallops of pastel colored fluffy icing, the bakery case stocked with gorgeous full size cakes and other pastries. My friend and I each selected cupcakes and took them outside, to be enjoyed as we strolled back to her apartment. I selected a vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. I thoroughly enjoyed the icing and later found out why – they use more butter than I was accustomed to using myself. The cake, however, was a bit dry. I would guess that overbaking, so easy to do with cupcakes, was to blame since the cupcakes, due to popularity, certainly didn’t sit around long enough to dry out.
My second experience was in September 2007, post "Sex and the City" fame, thus designating the Magnolia Bakery as a tourist destination, as was evident by the long line that wrapped around the corner outside the shop. They have an efficient system, though, so we waited no more than twenty minutes. The bakery is small, so we were let in five at a time and there was no time for dilly-dallying. You grab a box, pack it with whatever cupcakes are available at that moment, pay, and then scamper out. My husband and I decided to pack the box with every combination of cake and icing in the chocolate and vanilla options. We were going to take the whole box back to our friends’ apartment, but after one block just had to stop to sample our treats. My reaction was still the same – yummy icing, dry cake. However, we were still giddy with the resulting sugar rush and were very happy to have made the side trip to the Magnolia Bakery.
I’ve been told that there are some other bakeries in the New York area that have tastier cupcakes. During my next trip, I’m looking forward to visiting those recommended here. I’m also very interested in checking out vegan cupcakes from bakeries such as BabyCakes. The cookbook "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule"
