Magnolia Bakery, New York

Here's a guest post by my great mate Victoria who recently holidayed in New York. 

As New York is still on my bucket list (sigh), Victoria gallantly offered to report on her visit to Magnolia Bakery.  

After reading her comments, I wonder how their cupcakes would stand up in a side-by-side taste test with our home grown cupcakes? What do you think?

Carried away by Magnolia

New York. Saturday May 21, 2011. Destination:  Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker St (Cnr West 11^th), West Village, New York City.

“Common darling” I coaxed in a sickly sweet drawl as we drew closer to our destination. “Not far to go now.” It was late morning and I had the Magnolia Bakery in my sights!

It was our last day in New York City.  I had a Must-Try Food list as long as my arm and the ionic Magnolia Bakery cupcakes featured close to top ranking alongside fresh shucked oysters at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Terminal. I had feverishly dined on the succulent oysters and I was not, under any circumstance, going to miss tasting a Magnolia Bakery cupcake. I had passed up the opportunity to try one from the Rockefeller Center two weeks prior and I was sorely tempted when gazing at Magnolia’s pretty little display in Grand Central. 

Magnolia cupcakes at Grand Central.

However, if I was going to have a cupcake it was imperative that I personally selected my own cupcake from the one-and-only Bleecker Street Magnolia Bakery made famous by Carrie and her gal pals in Sex in the City.

The West Village bakery was jammed with gorgeous young things piling high arms laden white boxes filled with their pre-ordered favourites. 

When it was our turn to order I was distressed to discover the cupcake selection limited – perhaps our arrival was a little too late? My yearned-for Red Velvet cupcake was nowhere to be seen but I retained my excitement at the prospect of sinking my teeth into smooth-as-silk creamy icing and light-as-a-feather cake. My eyes gazed over the array of expertly decorated lovelies; after much toing and froing we chose Chocolate and Hummingbird.

The Chocolate left us a little disappointed to say the least. Dare I say that I could taste a hint of baking powder and the cake itself was more dry than moist? (In fact, I’ve had packet mixes that have tasted better.)

On the positive side, my high expectations were reinstated when I sunk my teeth into the Hummingbird cupcake. It was simply heavenly. It boasted morsels of pecan, banana and pineapple; it was substantial yet light; the icing not-too-sweet, smooth, creamy and very rich. 

Post note:  Pre-order or get there early for the best selection. Across the road from the bakery is a quaint park-cum-playground which provides the perfect place to savour these prized treats under a canopy of trees.

Bleecker Street hours:

Mon-Thurs 9am – 11.30am

Fri – Sat 9am – 12.30pm

Sun 9am -11.30pm