Cupcakes of New York....They've been waiting for you
/I have not been brunching as much as normal, however I felt like spicing things up, so being the go-to cupcake aficionado for anyone who knows me, I decided to create the top 5 best cupcakes in New York City. I thought about making it 10 but that was honestly too much pressure, so let's build up from 5.
1. Jennifer's Way Bakery - 263 E 10th St. btwn 1st and Ave. A
Chocolate chip cookies from Jennifer's Way!
This is a shocking choice because for me to go that deep into the East Village for anything other than Momofuku Ramen is nuts! Owned by actress Jennifer Esposito, Jennifer's Way Bakery is a completely allergen free bakery. I recently was diagnosed with the most tragic gluten allergy. The cupcakes are made with Quinoa flour and apple sauce and if you put them next to Magnolia, I know you would think that they were the winner. They do not have a huge selection but I love them and I would even use the word moist while describing them, so there!
2. Momofuku Milk Bar - 15 W 56th St. btwn 5th and 6th
Chocolate Malt Cake and yes, they deliver.
Okay, okay they are more known for their amazeballs cakes and something called crack pie....which lives up to the name. They make a mean birthday cake, which has - wait for it - cookie crumbles all over it and is made of funfetti! I know; talk about a diabetic coma. Momofuku Milk Bar is owned by famed chef and a personal celebrity crush of mine, the genius that is David Cheng. And another fun fact is that Aziz Ansari's girlfriend was the sous chef there (her name is also Courtney.) They have gluten free options and you cannot miss this all around Manhattan phenom.
3. Billy's Bakery - 184 9th Ave. btwn 21st and 22nd
This Chelsea staple also has another location in Tribeca. It is known for its legendary banana bread cupcake with Nutella frosting...um do I need to write more? When I went, they were out and that was honestly for the best. I had their Gluten Free chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. It was spectacular.
The amazing banana Nutella cupcake from Billy's Bakery.
4. Georgetown Cupcakes - 11 Mercer St. btwn Spring and Prince
Okay, okay I get this is a totally obvious and a bit of a commercial choice, but it holds up. It is the second location outside of the one in actual Georgetown. The bakery is known because of their TLC reality show of the same name. They always have seasonal choices, and multiple options. My personal favorite is the chocolate coconut. They also have a coffee selection, however you are so close to La Colombe, that is the clear way to go. Georgetown although cheesy and touristy is a solid cupcake choice.
5. Magnolia Bakery - 200 Columbus Ave btwn 69th and 70th
This summer features a delicious strawberry cupcake topped with strawberry meringue icing! Oh my gosh!
#5 was a clear toss up between Magnolia and Sprinkles, both are kind of sell out choices but so is Georgetown and this is my list! I am not going to lie, Magnolia only won because their banana pudding is from another planet. I don't think that there is a better dessert in all of New York City. When I worked near the 49th and 6th location, I turned all of my co-workers on to it and we had to lean on each other to give it up. There is no bad cupcake option. One last stand out suggestion for Magnolia's sweet nosh is the chocolate chip salted caramel cookie (Brittany loves it.)
So there you have it, my top 5 cupcakes of New York City, I am sure down the line there will be more but who knows?
