Highlights of the day included a hike down to the financial district for brunch at Harry’s Pizza. We had quite the crowd in there!
You can guess who the mature one of the group is.
This included all you can drink mimosas and Bloody Marys and coffee and really amazing pizzas for just $17 – not a bad deal!
Plus baskets of fluffy focaccia
My arch nemesis
Happy Birthday Kanz!
And Happy 30th Canada!
My arugula, prochuitto and parmesan pizza
After brunch (which lasted until 3pm, I headed up to the West Village where I ran into this monster!!
Miss Amie and I hung out for a few hours while she showed me a taste of the city in the form of cupcakes.
Our first stop was Magnolia’s where I purchased this purple beauty:
The frosting was super sugary, but I loved it! I only ate 1/3 because I wanted to taste more and save some for Matt.
Next stop was the mac store to pick up some lipgloss based solely on Jessica’s review
I’m not sure if the texture is too tacky for me, but I love the color/sparkle!
On our walk back to SoHo, we stumbled upon Molly’s Cupcakes
Here I bought the cake batter flavor
Which was stuffed with cake batter!
Heavenly!! Also saved the rest for Matt.
Our final stop was Baked by Melissa which features tiny little bite-sized cakes
I got a S’mores, which was just ok plus a peanut butter cup for Matt and a New York Crème
Tiny!
Magnolia’s took the cake this afternoon. On my next trip I’ll have to try more! What’s your favorite NYC cupcake?
This building was my favorite of the day:
We’re off to an EARLY dinner tonight and a birthday party (where there is more cake!) to fill up the evening!
Love the purple frosting!! I’ve only ever tried Babycakes in NYC. I’ve got a ways to go!
I love the cowboy hat!! Cut cupcakes!
that magnolia cupcake has to be one of the prettiest cupcakes i’ve ever seen!
I <3 Baked by Melissa. And Harry's. Awesome choice for brunch. DId anyone get the hangover pizza there? 🙂
Yes – the guys next to me did!! Are you around this weekend?
yup!
I’ve never gone to one of those swanky cupcake bakeries before. Definitely on my bucket list though. That cake batter cupcake looks blissful! 😀
I want that purple cupcake! It looks so good and happy… is it possible for a cupcake to look happy?
All you can drink mimosas, bloody mary’s and pizza for $17! Sign me up!
Magnolia’s frosting is too cloying for me. My vote goes to Butter Lane (E 7th btw 1st and A), which happens to be right next to Big Gay Ice Cream shop where you MUST go for the Salty Pimp. You can also get the cones lined in biscoff, which I think you’d appreciate. 😀
Butter Lane did the cupcakes for my wedding so I am kind of biased! I found their banana cupcakes are the most moist and they have 2 types of buttercream. Also Little Red Hen on the UES is awesome.
Sweet Revenge is the best – they have beer + cupcake pairings!
I was just saying to my sister today we MUST go to NYC a-s-a-p so that she can try a LEVAIN BAKERY cookie. It is an absolute MUST! But don’t eat anything 4 hours before and don’t plan on eating anything for 4-6 hours after…
Levain Bakery is so so good! They also have really good chocolate bread (I forget the exact name of it!)
I would do unspeakable things for a bite sized cup cake.
magnolia’s banana pudding is my favorite! Sprinkles is great but I think baked by melissa takes the cake for cupcakes for me…i love the mini-ness
wowww so many delicious eats in one post!! those cupcakes look divine… especially that cake batter one and the peanut butter cup!
The pizza looks yummy!!!
You will be caked out when you leave New York… Or wait… You love sweets, unlike me who does not have much of a sweet tooth 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
The cupcakes at Crumbs are the best I’ve ever had in my life. And, let’s be real, I’ve had a LOT of cupcakes in my life.
I’ve always wanted to try Sprinkles, but wondered if it was worth the hype. They always look like they have almost TOO much frosting! 🙂
That cupcake sure is beautiful though–and it is HARD to make an appetizing purple colored frosting, I know from bakery experience! Haha
Billy’s Bakery in chelsea is my favourite! They are open late too!
Fun day trying cupcakes. Seems like a good way to explore the city.
Delicious looking food!
Crumbs!
Those cupcakes look amazing. (and the purple is so pretty–almost too pretty to eat!) Hope the rest of your day is fun 🙂
You have good taste miss! I love Magnolia Cupcakes and am not a fan of the tiny Baked by Melissa. Last summer, when my parents came to New York we did a cupcake tour as well: http://wp.me/p1mXUJ-9i!
Crumbs are the best NYC cupcakes I have had!! Excited to go back to New York for more Crumbs cupcakes!
Oh I’d be in heaven!! I think I’d pick the cake batter one too 🙂
Magnolia cupcakes are my absolute favorite cupcakes in the world! I have the recipe for the vanilla with vanilla frosting from their cookbook, and it is spot on. You can order the cupcakes online now. They just sent me an email this week. Kind of pricey to ship, but I live in Pennsylvania, so if I really get a craving, it just might be worth it!!!
Billy’s in Chelsea! I live in Montana now, but Billy’s is a must-stop whenever we come back to visit.
Happy Birthday to your man! I forgot from last year that we share the same birthday. I hope you guys are having an incredible weekend!
Love seeing all those cupcakes, but it’s the pizza that made my heart skip a beat! YUM!
Dazzleglass can be a bit tacky which is why I prefer their Lusterglass line but the dazzleglass is more sparkly overall so it’s a tradeoff.
All you can drink coffee..right there I would have gotten my $17 worth on a Saturday morning.
And cute pink cowboy hat. Love it.
Go to Buttercup Bakery in Manhattan and get the red velvet cupcake- heaven!
Eleni’s in Chelsea Market were my favorite! They used to have a happy hour where one hour before closing all baked goods left behind the case for the day were half off, which was a good deal too. I’m not sure if that is still the case. Glad y’all are staying warm and having fun!
Sugar Sweet Sunshine!!!! Have I gotten annoying yet? 🙂
Though I will agree with the above comment that Crumbs is pretty great.
We have both a Molly’s and a Magnolia in Chicago and I have to say I prefer Molly’s cupcakes to Magnolias. But Magnolia has THE best banana pudding ever. Hands down! If you have a chance to go back, I recommend you try it 🙂
I. LOVE. BABYCAKES. And the look of that focaccia // pizza. I worked at Panera back in the day, and we used to be given the day-old bread. Magic.
How fun! I LOVE cupcakes, decorating and eating them are a blast!
Thank you for a wonderful day! So great seeing you and spending time together. Have a fabulous night! xoox Love ya
Oh my gosh I can hardly stand looking at those wonderful cupcakes! Luckily, we have some of your sister’s cheesecake from Christmas in the freezer!
Crumbs puts Magnolia’s to shame. Hope you get to have one of those while you’re there!
My favorite cupcakes in NYC are from Sprinkles followed by Crumbs but I love Magnolia’s butter cream. Molly’s is originally from Chicago and their filled cupcakes are fantastic, I love that their NYC store has swings too!
I had Magnolia’s last month, just a plain vanilla with vanilla. It was tasty, but not anything extraordinary as far as cupcakes go. Maybe they have more intense flavors? Your day looks crazy fun!!! So much good food.
the snicker doodle flavor is great! cinnamon cake and marshmallow frosting, it’s awesome!
Sounds like a fun trip so far!
My husband & I are planning a trip to NYC in March, and now we’ll definitely be making a pit stop at Magnolia’s — that cupcake looks delicious! And we’re even contemplating taking the train there after reading your rave review!
You MUST go to City Bakery….(W. 3rd, I think) Best hot chocolate and other good eats + great people.
And Levain’s W. 74th, I think. BEST cookies and lots of other goodies.
Your pizza looks wonderful! You’re beautiful, and it looks like you and Amie had a blast hanging out and trying those delicious-looking cupcakes!! I’d love to hang out in NYC with my twin sis! One day. 🙂
Wow, that looks like an amazing day! Lucky…
The purple cupcake is SO cute! I’ve never been to NYC, but you’re definitely doing a good job of helping me make a list of places to go if I get there one day! 🙂
haha why is he your nemesis?
Yah, I was wondering that too. What’s the story?
No good reason – you’d have to know him to understand 🙂
My favorite NYC cupcake is the red velvet at CRUMBS! And I love MAC lipgloss! Glad you’re enjoying the city 🙂
oh my gosh, that cake batter cupcake looks SO. GOOD. If you’re looking for a really great cupcake in NYC you MUST go to Baked…everything in there is B O M B!! Or, if you want the biggest most calorically dense cupcake ever, go to Crumbs…they are insane haha
I’ve got to say Crumbs as well! I just bought a Candy cupcake there tonight!! Yummy!
I had so much fun looking at your photos. Everyone looks like they having so much fun. Love days like this. Thanks so much for bringing us along.
New York city is the best! Don’t you think it would have been nicer to get Matt his own cupcakes? I mean its his birthday, presenting him with 2/3 of a cupcake seems a little …. strange? I mean didn’t he make you an amazing cake for your birthday.
Nah it was fine. He was WAY more into the craft brews he picked up at Whole Foods and I gave the ‘cakes to my sister, who loved them.
Cake batter – INside the cupcake?! Dreamy 😉 Are they gluten-free? I thought Amie was GF, but maybe she didn’t eat them.
Looks like a great afternoon! Do you think you’d like to live in a big city?
Jen, Kath has made it clear in her blog she prefers a small city (for some reason) like Cville over NY
Yikes, sorry it was just a harmless question :(. I guess I don’t follow closely enough to know that she felt that way. Sorry to offend her (and you and other readers) by asking the very harmless question. I live in a small city and was just curious that’s all.
Amie did not partake
Oh I didn’t mean that too sound too bitchy! Sorry on my end!
No problem. Although I don’t know why it had to sound bitchy (too bitchy!?) at all when it really was just a simple question that could be asked of anyone…but thanks for your input.
Everyone seems to have cupcakes on the brain lately! I just made + posted a lemon cupcake recipe today! I love the pretty purple icing on the cupcake from Magnolia’s!
I have always wanted to try a lavender cupcake! Could you actually taste lavender? I’ve always wondered how strong the taste would actually be.
I don’t think it was lavender- just purple vanilla!
Hahahahaaha I LOVE Canada’s hat/tiara!
I want to do a cupcake tour of NYC! And a pizza tour!
mmmmmm that purple one looks legit! And good.
holy cupcakes! Haha! Magnolia’s are my fave 🙂
I’ve heard great things about Crumbs!
That purple cupcake is goooorgeous.
Magnolia are def my favorite! Since you’re on the Lower East Side try to get over to the donut plant for a creme brulee donut!
Cupcakes! I wish I could go on a cupcake adventure like you did but there are not many cupcake shops where I live. If I go to NYC I am going to go on a cupcake adventure
WOW! Sounds like an amazing trip around cupcakes. I know Magnolia’s is a classic but Baked by Melissa is probably my favorite these days. I love their different varieties and that they’re perfectly bite sized and also super moist. In July they had a special cupcake that had pop rocks in the frosting and, let me tell you, THAT was fun and interesting.
Enjoy,..
Buttercup is my personal favorite. But Im a frosting over cake person. Buttercup owner use to be partners with Magnolia and there was some sort of falling out and they split up. They are ery similar but I think that Magnolia’s cake is too dry and the line too long. Sex and the City made it a destination. Buttercup serves the banana pudding too but with regards to that, Magnolia’s version is better. Agree also with the commentator about Levain’s cookies. Insanely good. We moved to DC a year ago and they are not rocking the cupcake scene in my opinion. Only place that comes close is Baked and Wired. Im a purist-cake and frosting; I dont need exotic flavors or fillings. Happy Birthday to Matt and have a wonderful Sunday and trip back!
Not a cupcake but RUN to Levain Bakery! It’s a hole in the wall with the most unbelievable cookies. There is usually a line of locals and tourists. It’s probably off your path but completely worth it. I hear the breads are pretty good too and the coffee is great.
Molly’s Cupcakes are so good! The best one is the Creme Brulee! Crunchy top filled with creme brulee…. brilliant!
Stay warm… it is gonna be FREEZING today!
The photography in this post are extraordinary – love your camera work during your NTC tour!
Ah! I can’t believe you’re in the city and I’m not around to meet up with you! You went north and I went south this weekend!
Anyway, you’ve officially tried almost all of my favorite cupcake places! Definitely try to get to BabyCakes and Sprinkles at some point if you can, SO good 🙂
Who knew there were so many cupcake shops! I love the elegance and grace of Magnolia’s purple beauty! The daisy makes it!
The cupcakes are so pretty, wouldn’t want to eat them [although I’m sure they’d be all gone within moments after paying for them]! I gotta admit, I’ve never tried a cupcake from a cupcake bakery yet- I’ve heard great things about a few of them downtown in DC but never have made the trip… Need to!
Magnolia’s cupcakes are the BEST!!! Everytime i’m in the city it’s IMPERATIVE to stop at Magnolia’s. The only problem is deciding which one to get.. so, admittedly I get a box of 4-6 so I can sample each one!!!!!!! The red velvet is YUM! Before christmas they had a snickerdoodle cupcake…. um…. hello, cupcake, cinnamon… LOVE!
Crumbs has amazing cupcakes and coffee!
Babycakes!!! vegan, gluten, and soy free!! and so delicious!
i vote for sprinkles and i’m a new yorker! 🙂
A Cupcake Crawl!! What a great idea. Just to network a little, Anita Gupta of Mahlia Creations in Cville created the most marvelous cupcakes for my daughter’s wedding, in honor of her dogs Bailey and Guiness. Bailey’s Irish Cream and Guiness Chocolate Stout!
When I spent a week in NYC, my friend and I stayed around the corner from Zabar’s and managed to find ourselves by Magnolia almost every day at lunch time. We ate a Zabar’s salad and 2 cupcakes apiece just about everyday. Sooo delicious.
those dazzleglasses are sooo sticky. i love the colors but hate the texture.
Have only been to Magnolia’s. Many more to visit next trip!
Has anyone been on a tea tour of NYC?
Hey – I was at Magnolia last week! My first time in NYC and I had to hunt it out….totally worth the subway ride 🙂 Chocolate with vanilla icing is my fav!
I love Melissa’s! My fave is the peanut butter one – I think the one you got for Matt.
Cupcakes = the opiate of food bloggers 😀
Molly’s Cupcakes are the BEST! It started here in Chicago and it is just my favorite. The cookie monster is amazing.
Please, please, please tell me you had the banana pudding when you were at Magnolia? It is the most amazing thing…