Magnolia Bakery has risen to fame on the back of its vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, spawning dozens of imitators around New York, and even more, I’m sure, across the country. However, these sugar bombs explode in your mouth and instantly make you feel sick – at least, that’s what they did to me. More disgusting than delicious by far, despite how pretty they are.

Fortunately, however, my friend insisted I try their red velvet cake (yum!) and the banana pudding (super yum!), both of which are also probably famous in their own right by now. Don’t brave a line for either of them, but if you come at an off time of day, definitely take the time to grab either of those treats – and don’t be tempted by the soldierly cupcakes manning their posts. Consider this fair warning.

Made famous by Sex in the City and the Lazy Sunday SNL video. Small cute bakery, serving other desserts as well but I haven’t tried them. The cupcakes are good (vanilla is better than chocolate) but not mind blowing, and the frosting is a bit too sweet. I think Buttercup’s cupcakes are better (although they are not super amazing either). Lines are long but move fast, so not too much of a sacrifice to wait and see what all the hype is about.

My favorite is the vanilla on vanilla. I also love Billy’s. Have yet to try Buttercup. HATE Crumbs and their factory made cupcakes.

the cupcakes are toooo buttery.

Magnolia’s is great the first time around and for tourists, but generally I think the cupcakes are overrated and pricey ($2 and change each I believe). There are some great items though, including the icebox cake and the banana pudding, but skip the cupcakes.

i first heard about them from a sex-and-the-city fan… but they really are something yummy :) the line will be long, but moves pretty fast. buy some extras since you’ll probably want to eat more than you originally anticipated!

I really love their Vanilla cupcakes with Vanilla icing. I admit, they are a bit on the dry side—but I rather prefer the crumbly texture of their cupcakes to a moist and smushy cake. I also enjoy their banana pudding. I had some ice box pie and found it to be disappointing, and I won’t try it again. The red velvet, german chocolate and other “specialty” cupcakes (not the ones in the window) have all been pretty good too. Their cookies are rather small which is okay since they are only 2 for a dollar. I’ve enjoyed them all, and I think I’ve tried every kind they make. I’ve actually been multiple times when there was no line during a weekday and also when the line was crazy—but moved quickly. I find picking up the cupcakes with waxed paper in the self service portions to be a bit inadequate and often find myself knocking them over in the box and losing some icing on the paper (thankfully there is still plenty left on the cupcake afterwards!).

After reading one person say that they use margarine I immediately called to check. The do NOT use margarine and their products have no transfats!

This is what made cupcakes worth their weight in gold in New York City. Quality can vary, but you usually cannot go wrong with any yellow-cake cupcake (my preference is this with chocolate frosting). Whether you get a cupcake or not (you can get a better one at Billy’s in Chelsea), it is a sin to leave without purchasing their shockingly delicious Banana Pudding. Red Velvet anything there is also a delight. Grab your eats and cross the street diagonally to sit on the benches to enjoy.

I don’t understand why the line is always out the door at this place. Their cupcakes are not as good as before – it’s DRY. And I’ve heard that they use margarine instead of butter…

I went with two of my friends and it was absolute heaven!! I’ve only tried their vanilla/vanilla, and it was the best!! Light and just the right amount of sweetness – in my opinion, better than Buttercup. I can’t wait to try everything else they have there… It’s definitely worth the calories…

wow i went here for my sex and the city tour bus, their cupcakes are excellente! it’s to die for. There is always a long line. I admit the price is pretty pricey. but you’ll try once in a while. I don’t normally eat chocolate flavor, but that’s my fav.

The cupcakes are just good. I like the yellow cupcakes best, but the frosting is what matters. It’s really light and fluffy and it is not too pricey.

As good as cupcakes can be… I didn’t see the red velvet or the other specialized cupcakes, but they’re located on the other side of the bakery. The regular cupcakes are ok, but it’s always so crowded. There’s a line just to be able to go in and browse around b/c it’s that small. But I would go again… I just wish it was bigger and they had places to sit and enjoy the cupcakes.

frosting’s a bit sweet, but the cupcakes themselves are amazing =)*

It’s not quite love it or hate it, but some people definitely have a taste for this sort of super sweet, heavy icing cupcake, while others do not (I’m in the latter group).