NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 3

The last day of my trip spent in New York City was a big cupcake eating day! Please remember, these are based on my own experiences and are in no means an overall critique of the bakeries.

Amy's Bread

672 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

I didn't actually plan for Amy's Bread, this was one of those lucky chances that I got to stop by and discover cupcakes. What caught my attention the most was their cupcake liners! I haven't seen those before, I wonder what they're made of?


The cupcakes were pretty, smooth swirls with sprinkles and confetti. If there was a unique flavour (other than vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet), I think I would have ordered one to try!

In their store window, there is a cookbook, The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread. I think I will have to check that out in a bookstore soon!

Kyotofu
705 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10019

I was super excited for Kyotofu! A Japanese dessert bar and bakery that had very unique cupcake flavours. There wasn't a big sign in the front, actually there was no sign on the actual building. But I found it and was greeted with a smile. A clean open bar with desserts piled on. The other side was a kitchen with glass walls so you could take a look. No one was baking when I was there. =(


Flavours tried: I had to try more than one... Chocolate Soufflé Cupcake, Matcha Green Tea Cupcake, and Yuzu-Vanilla Cupcakes. Two thumbs up for these cupcakes. The Chocolate Soufflé was amazing - I understand why that one is an award-winner!
Frosting: No frosting! Which has me internally debating, is it a cupcake? Does it count if it doesn't have frosting? Does it make it a muffin?
Presentation: Had the mini ones that came in the paper liners. The regular sized cupcakes were wrapped in pretty patterned plastic. A very popular style even in the Asian bakeries in Toronto.

Crumbs Bake Shop
43 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

I have a confession to make. This isn't the first Crumbs location I've been to. Upon arriving in New York on my first night, we had dinner at Maoz. After eating, we walked outside and I spotted Crumbs on 37 East 8th Street. Unfortunately, I was so full from the falafel that I couldn't try a cupcake. It was very sad.

The wonderful assortment at Crumbs.

Domo wants a bite of Crumb's Raspberry Swirl Cupcake.
Ate this treat in Bryant Park (anyone watch Project Runway?)

Flavour tried: Raspberry Swirl Cupcake. A good vanilla cupcake base.
Frosting: Deliciously sweet frosting with a swirl of raspberry on top. Then... nom nom nom and raspberry filling in the cupcake! It was so good!
Presentation: A good slab of frosting on the cupcake. They have other cupcakes with candy coverings and sprinkles, but this one had the simple mark of a raspberry.

Magnolia Bakery
1240 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

The line up for cupcakes!

The famous Magnolia Bakery, what cupcake crawl is complete without it? Well, friends were right. This place is very popular and packed. They even had a cupcake bouncer by the door! He was really nice and cut the line after we got in. =)

Pink Ribbon Cupcake

Four flavours to choose from.

Flavour tried: I couldn't really decide which flavour to pick. There were four flavours by the display glass where we all lined up against. So I went for the Pink Ribbon Cupcake - might as well support a good cause. The cake was good and moist. I would think they're pretty fresh after seeing the team constantly baking and frosting in the background.
Frosting: It was too sweet! I even ate the Pink Ribbon decoration. I thought it was some sort of candy or chewy sweet. After digesting it, I think it was sugar molded into the shape of a ribbon. Too much sugar for me here...
Presentation: A curl of frosting, sprinkles, and the sugar ribbon. Pretty in pink!

Buttercup Bake Shop
973 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Last stop! I don't have a photo of the cupcake I ate here. I was told no photography after this photo below. But, you can see the Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcake that I had in this photo. With that being said, it isn't a good start if you've been scolded for having your camera out. But, service was still pleasant, I only wish they explained why I couldn't take pictures of their cute cupcakes? =(

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake, second from the left.

Flavour tried: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake. The flavour of the day!
Frosting: Sweet peanut butter frosting. As always, after eating peanut butter leaves me quite thirsty. Good thing they had a station for free water!
Presentation: A simple curl of frosting using a spatula. There were a few peanut butter chips sprinkled on top.

That ends my fun trip to New York City! I will definitely be going back next year. And if you want more, there are so many photos posted on our facebook page!

<<< NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 2

NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 2

Day 2 of my trip in New York! Please remember, these are based on my own experiences and are in no means an overall critique of the bakeries. So I wake up, take a subway, turn a corner and what do I see?

Cupcake Cafe
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Cupcake Cafe and Books of Wonder

A cupcake shop and a children's bookstore together? Um... did I just walk into my-dream-come-true? Yes. Yes I did. Great set-up with comfy chairs and tables in the cafe. This is a gazillion times much better than having a Starbucks attached to a Chapters/Indigo. And can I rave about how pretty these cupcakes are? These are piped buttercream flowers. Sometimes exotic flowers. Sometimes two-toned buttercream. I truly appreciate the time spent on decorating the beautiful cupcakes and cakes.

Can't get bored staring at this display case!

Chocolate Cupcake with Mocha Buttercream

Flavour tried: Chocolate Cupcake with Mocha Buttercream. Delicious and moist chocolate cupcake. I like how they had cupcakes in room temperature if you were going to eat there and chilled cupcakes in the display case for take-out.
Frosting: Wow, very smooth mocha buttercream. This was the smoothest buttercream I tried from the whole trip. It could have had more mocha flavour, but applause to the non-grainy feel of icing sugar!
Presentation: GORGEOUS! There was a freaking orchid piped on this cupcake!!!

Cupcake Stop
Truck stops at various locations.
Follow them on twitter for updates!

Walking around the Flatiron Building and what did I spot??? Cupcake Stop! I literally jumped up with joy and joined the line. Mobile cupcake shops are awesome!


Flavours tried: Pumpkin and Oreo cupcakes. Pumpkin was good but the Oreo was very dry!
Frosting: The Pumpkin was tasty but the Oreo was simply sweet, not much Oreo taste.
Presentation: Love the cute mini cupcakes and happy that a piping tip was used for the cupcakes! Look at that lovely orange pumpkin tip.

Burgers & Cupcakes
265 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake

Flavour tried: Mint Chocolate Chip. I know it says "mini" in the photo, but to me, those were the regular sizes I bake in. So imagine how big the regular sizes were... The cake itself was okay, I think it was just white or vanilla cake.
Frosting: Very grainy, I could feel the texture of the icing sugar. I could smell the mint flavour just holding the cupcake in front of me. There was a few chocolate chips on top. Overall, I did not enjoy eating this cupcake, it was too much frosting and it felt like I was eating mint flavoured toothpaste.
Presentation: The cupcakes were frosted with an interesting pointy look. Like mini mountains of frosting. No photo of the actual cupcake I ate, since she placed it in a paper bag upside down. It was smushed when I took it out. =(

Way more photos posted on our facebook page!

<<< NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 1
>>> NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 3

NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 1

Hello... *awkward pause* this is really late isn't it? I was quite exhausted from my trip and then caught an unwanted bug that's been going around. But no fear, here is the recap from my trip! I did managed to visit quite a few bakeries during my short stay in New York City. Please remember, these are based on my own experiences and are in no means an overall critique of the bakeries. This was merely for fun! Now, let's get this trip started:

Billy's Bakery

75 Franklin Street
New York, NY 10013

Okay, my first cupcake bakery! Billy's Bakery did not disappoint my expectations at all for my first taste in New York. Love the store front, the colours, the design, and the atmosphere. The service was fantastic and was greeted with a smile. It is so comforting to see a bakery case full of pretty little cupcakes. The hardest part in each bakery was choosing the 1 flavour to eat. Yes, just 1. There was no way I would have been able to try them all! Their Yellow Daisy Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing caught my eye and there was only one in green buttercream left. Come on, I had to have that one then!

Flavour tried: Very good! The yellow cake was delicious!
Frosting: Pretty sweet frosting, but the right amount for the cupcake.
Presentation: Cute and plump frosting in a pale pastel. Can't go wrong there and the sprinkles' colours complemented the frosting's green. A very good dessert and snack size.

Got some looks and snickers from two customers sitting inside. They could probably tell that I was a tourist as I snapped photos. But, you know what? I don't have the luxury of swinging by Billy's Bakery whenever I feel like it, so I am going to take a bunch of photos and savour my visit!

Baked by Melissa
529 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(Pick-Up window on Spring St.)

I wasn't sure if Baked by Melissa would be available for stroller-bys to order cupcakes. The website kept saying pick-up window, so I wasn't sure if I had to order their minimum 100 cupcakes to have a taste. Thankfully, you can just order these mini cupcakes at the window. Customer service wasn't as pleasant as the previous bakery - in fact - it was very confusing. Was told there was only Tie-Dye and Red Velvet left, but as I let other customers order first as I decided, they were ordering other flavours! So it wasn't just the two flavours left. Weird!

Baked by Melissa's Miniature Stuffed Cupcakes Menu

Red Velvet, Cinnamon, and Peanut Butter Cup

Flavours tried: Red Velvet, Cinnamon, and Peanut Butter Cup. First Red Velvet tried from a bakery! Still not sure what it is... is it chocolate cake with red dye? Cinnamon and Peanut Butter Cup were good!
Frosting: You can tell the frosting was quickly piped on, but they tasted good and matched the fillings inside and the cake.
Presentation: Mini cupcakes are already cute. They were served in a big cupcake liner. The cupcakes themselves didn't have the liners - very convenient to pop them in your mouth as a snack!

Babycakes NYC
248 Broome Street
New York, NY 10002

Yes, the famous dairy free, gluten free, egg free, soy free, refined sugar free bakery! With all that 'free' this was the most expensive cupcake I tried. Not complaining, because I understand that the substitute materials are not cheap! Very warm and homey bakery, I love places that don't hide the back where the magical baking happens. It might be just me, but I feel so happy seeing piles of baking pans, bags ready for piping, and trays of baked goods.

Babycake's display case

Vanilla with Chocolate-Fig Ganache and Cinnamon-Nutmeg (Gluten Free)

Flavour tried: Vanilla with Chocolate-Fig Ganache and Cinnamon-Nutmeg (Gluten Free). Love trying out new and unique flavours and this one did not disappoint! The cupcake's texture felt a bit dry, but the ganache filling helped even things out.
Frosting: Umm, it is cinnamon and nutmeg - YUM!
Presentation: Did not have the little piped flower like the regular flavours, but still a good-looking cupcake.

sugar Sweet sunshine
126 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002

Oooo, a line-up! This bakery was busy with people ordering their cupcakes. Luckily, the service was good and the line went quickly. Next, got a table and dug into the cupcake. I'm glad there was a few tables and seating here, after trekking from bakery to bakery, you do get tired and like to sit down to enjoy the cupcake! Plus tables make it easier to snap photos of the cupcake I just got. =)

Flavour tried: Lemon Yummy. It was lemon cake with lemon buttercream. Not enough lemon flavour in the cupcake.
Frosting: Their lemon buttercream was sweet and could have had more lemon flavour to it. But it was still yummy!
Presentation: Quick swirls with a dash of sprinkles.

Lemon Yummy: Lemon cake with lemon buttercream

Way more photos posted on our facebook page!

>>> NYC Cupcake Tour: Day 2

Cupcake Tour: Queen Street East

As a birthday treat, Howard promised me a Cupcake Tour! So during the cold, snowy, winter weekend we (including my friend Laura) went to visit a few bakeries on Queen Street East in Toronto. I absolutely love the drive down Queen Street, it is filled with unique shops (we love spotting puns as store names) and the street passes the beaches.

1. The first place we stopped at was Babycake inside their parent restaurant Lil' Baci. This Italian restaurant smelled so good! I know we were there to pick up cupcakes, but I think next time we'll try the pizza! We were greeted with a friendly smile and when it looked like we weren't staying, they knew we were here for cupcakes. There was a small selection displayed in a glass cake stand. We decided on Choco Funk (chocolate cake with dark chocolate frosting) and Snowball (pink vanilla cake with marshmallow and coconut frosting). They were packed in these cute boxes that resembled Chinese Take-Out boxes (but without the wired handle), but later I had a hard time taking the cupcakes out without ruining them.

Flavours: We all agreed that the Choco Funk was better. The chocolate cake was moist and not too sweet. We found the Snowball a bit dry and the strawberry and marshmallow flavour did not really stand out.

Frostings: The Choco Funk frosting was smooth and we liked how it is covered in tiny chocolate pieces.

Presentation: These cupcakes look bigger than usual, but we think they're the regular size. It must be their domed top! The presentation was good.

2. Next, we stopped at It's the Icing on the Cake. There was a bakery display filled with cakes and other breads and pastries. Cupcakes were spotted on cake stands. There wasn't much choice here, so we got a chocolate cupcake and a white cupcake. The shop was divided into 1/3 for us to stand and look around. Behind the display cases, the other 2/3 of the shop was the work area and kitchen. I spotted 2 KitchenAid stand mixers and colourful cubby holes to store tools. I think I like the cubby hole idea for organization!

Flavours: The chocolate cupcake was good. The chocolate cupcake was soft and moist. The white cupcake was okay.

Frostings: The chocolate frosting was smooth and good. The white frosting... we weren't a fan. We're guessing white frosting is basically your basic vanilla frosting without the vanilla?

Presentation: These look more home made, nothing fancy with the domed frosting. The confetti sprinkles reminded us of the mini cupcakes you find in grocery stores.

3. Very close by, there is Sweet Bliss Baking Company. Inhale... exhale... zomg it smells so good in here! It is a very cozy and warm shop that sells a variety of other goods too. Cupcakes were displayed on cake stands with a glass (or was it plastic) wall partition separating our drools. There were a couple flavours displayed and then we spotted a fridge on our left with a lot more! So we picked carrot cupcake with cream cheese icing and vanilla cupcake with butter cream icing (the pink was calling my name).

Flavours: Although we're not usually fans of carrot cake, this was very good and moist! The vanilla cake was a bit dry.

Frostings: The cream cheese icing was delicious! Very smooth and complimented the carrot cake well. The pink butter cream icing was overly sweet for our taste.

Presentation: The frosting is generously applied on. The cream cheese icing has a tiny, pink drop flower in the center. The butter cream icing is shocking pink with lots of sprinkles.

4. Before heading home, there was one more stop along the way: Life is Sweet! Sweet indeed, this cupcake house is also warm, cozy, and friendly. They sold other baked goods in the brightly lit shop too. The best part is: they have mini cupcakes... which meant we could try more flavours and so we did! We got vanilla and chocolate, mint chocolate, lemon drop, earl grey with orange, butterscotch, and coconut. As we were leaving the shop, a mother and her little daughter were coming in. I overheard the mother say "now, we're not here to get cupcakes today..." I wonder if the mother gave in after?

Flavours: Delicious for all 6 cupcakes! The butterscotch had a crunchy top. The coconut was the right amount. Lemon drop had the right combination of sweet and sour. Mint chocolate tasted like After Eight! The Earl Grey surprised us and we like it!

Frostings: Some of these frostings were actually piped when ordered. Butterscotch was sweet. Coconut had yummy flakes. Lemon drop reminded me of lemon curd and now I want to try making them. Orange icing was really good, more sweet than citrus (just the way I like it - uh huh).

Presentation: Mini cupcakes always scream "cute!" The decorations aren't elaborate, but we like that they each have something on them, making them extra special. The frosting colours and sprinkles truly compliment each other.

Screen shot of Google Map - Click to enlarge:

Babycake 892 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON. M4M 1J3
It's the Icing on the Cake 1238 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON. M4L 1C3
Sweet Bliss Baking Company 1304 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON. M4L 1C4

Life is Sweet 2328 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON. M4E 1G9

Since it was on the way, we were going to stop by Sugar Plum Bakery on Kingston Road too, but sadly they were closed already. Oh well, not bad for our first venture, 12 cupcakes, 4 bakeries, 1 day! Please note, the bakeries do not give us any special treatment, it is just like if you went in and tried them yourself!

Also, this is not our last cupcake tour! I can't wait for the next one! The bakeries mentioned here are also saved under our Reviews page. Stay tuned for more!