While National Cupcake Week is taking place in the UK, we didn't want ou US readers to feel left out in all cupcake shenanigans. Therefore, the lovely Maria Diaz has cooked up a list of the best cupcakeries in NYC!
Arguably, the cupcake craze started in New York City when Sex and The City's Carrie Bradshaw fatefully talked her relationship woes with her girl Miranda Hobbs in front of Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village. Many visitors to New York now make the pilgrimage to the store on Bleeker street, hoping to be just like Carrie.
I'm here to tell you to skip the Magnolia cupcakes and try these places instead:
Locations Vary
One of the latest additions to the scene is Cupcake Stop, a moving truck that stops at a different location each day, with a different menu of cupcakes each day. They've been brilliant at using Twitter to announce their locations and menus for the day and very frequently sell out.
They always have great flavors like black and white cookie and peanut butter and jelly. Because they change the menu each day, the cupcakes are always fresh and the frosting is not too sweet. An excellent choice if you can find them!
248 Broome Street New York, N.Y.
If you're vegan or have a special diet, Babycakes is for you. All their cupcakes are dairy-free, egg-free, and soy-free. Some are gluten-free if you swing that way. My favorite is the carrot cake with vanilla frosting. I won't lie -- if you're not used to the slightly different taste of vegan baked goods, this may take a while to get used to. But, if you're willing to give it a chance, you just might like it.
The store is also super-cute, with all of the employees in matching "candy-striper" outfits. According to their website, they're opening up an LA branch soon and have a cookbook if you're interested in learning how to bake their vegan goods.
Locations Vary
Okay, I admit, this isn't a "local" NYC cupcakery. They've grown to include locations in Southern California and are now all over New York City and the tri-state area but I think Crumbs is worth mentioning because it's amazing how many people wait in line for Magnolia but won't go to the far superior Crumbs.
They specialize in selling huge, almost meal-like cupcakes, but do sell smaller sizes (which I usually go for) and the cake is moist, and to die for. Their frosting isn't so sweet it gives you a headache and they sell my favorite cake: cookies & creme.
153 Park Avenue Rutherford, N.J.
This one isn't exactly in New York City, it's a train ride away in Rutherford, New Jersey, but I'm putting it here because it is that good. If the pseudo health food vibe of Babycakes isn't to your liking, Sweet Avenue is right up your alley with their fun, irreverent approach to vegan baking.
Their menu changes daily and features an array of wonderful, huge cupcakes often named after songs. I recommend the Strawberry Field and the Apple Pie.
529 Broadway New York, N.Y.
If you've ever been unable to decide what cupcake flavor to get and you know you're not going to be able to handle more than one or two, Baked By Melissa's mini-cupcakes are for you.
I first had these cupcakes at a reading where someone left a whole tray of them at my table and I think I had 10 and still, I wanted more. They are that wonderful. Her best is peanut butter and jelly, followed by the red velvet cupcake.
Image via Rachel From Cupcake Takes the Cake's Flickr