The epic cupcake crawl finally happened this past weekend in New York City, despite the threat of severe squalls, gusts and rain. My failsafe and intrepid blogger buddies, Aaron and Norbert, decided to meet my husband and I at the famed Cupcake Cafe on 41st Street and 9th Avenue for the sweet adventure.
For those who don't know Cupcake Cafe, let's say that you won't regret the acquaintance. Their wares are works of art: buttery blossoms that sprout flowers of every shade on moist cakes that run the gamut from vanilla to maple. One part eye candy, and the other part a confectioner's museum piece. We had a field day (note: they taste as though they're made with five sticks of butter…be warned).
We tasted them in record time until there was nothing left except the buttery wrappers.
I love the expression on Aaron's face; shall we say, a kid in a cupcake store?
Then we went uptown for a few blocks to Amy's Bread, a sliver of a store and already a legend in New York. Yes, they do offer other goodies besides bread, and the current cupcake specials were of the Easter variety.
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Above, the crew and I. We mean business. From left to right in the picture above: Norbert, Matthew Minucci (aka "hubby" & "photog"), Aaron.
The magic of natural food coloring played a leading role in these cupcakes. But don't be fooled: they were easily the best we tasted during the crawl. The cake itself was moist but not too buttery, and the frosting was perfect — not too sweet. Easily voted the best cupcake of the crawl by all parties involved.
Below: incriminating photos and testament to the quality of the fare. I'm still waiting on Aaron and Norbert's "blackmail" money and until then, these photos will remain on the blog.
A spring interlude of cherry blossoms. I mean, who can resist these? Elegant and white, almost like edelweiss, these trees lit up 9th Avenue like christmas tree lights. We were lucky to snap this before the rain came tumbling down.
Our next stop, Kyotofu, is a sliver of a place (yes, more of a sliver than Amy's Bread) located on 9th Avenue between 49th and 48th. A Japanese dessert place that serves vegan and green tea cupcakes and soy ice cream, this is a must visit for all dessert lovers. New York Magazine voted it home of the "Best Cupcake" and we agree that its healthy and light treats leave you sated without feeling heavy.
The decor gets an A+ rating. It's sparkling clean, and they have little wooden spoons that look so feng shui. A lot of detail went into making this shop pristine, perfect and calm.
Above: chocolate & matcha green tea cupcakes from Kyotofu. The shop also serves sake, shochu, beer and wine.
It was at Kyotofu where we met more blogger comrades: Sarah Wu and her friend, another photog, Akito Nakahara.
After excited meet and greets, we headed to Magnolia Bakery near Rockefeller Center, famous for its cameo appearance in Sex and the City. The store entertains visitors with its visually appealing treats in many flavors, from pumpkin, pistachio, red velvet and vanilla buttercream. On our way there, the rain started to pour buckets. But the line to Magnolia was out the door! We actually had to stand outslde for about five minutes with our drugstore umbrellas, bravely trying to survive the storm. We were also delighted to finally meet Lisa from ChickyBus at Magnolia. Blogger reunions are fun!
Below, the illustrious women and men of Magnolia Bakery, trying to keep calm despite the overwhelming demand for baked goods.
Our first blogger cupcake crawl was a triumphant success and ended on a sugar high and a positive note. We tasted several masterpieces, and soon I felt like Michael in "The Office" when he crashes on his birthday from a sugar high. Every place we visited was so well worth the stop, and made us realize how fortunate we are living in the Big Apple. Only New York could offer so many cupcake stores within a few square miles.
Feeling like you missed out? If you're in the area and want to join in on our next crawl, leave a comment below. Spread the sugar love!
From Aaron @ Aaron's Worldwide Adventures:
Let the record show that I will not be blackmailing you to take that photo down!
Alas 'twas a fun afternoon! Now I wish I'd tried one of the cupcakes at Kyotofu!
From Marshaa:
Looked like you guys had a lot of fun, but how you went home without tummyaches is beyond me!
From Jeff Titelius:
OMG! I can't get over all of the scrumptious cupcakes you captured in these tantalizing photos!! I want one now!!
Great post and fantastic photography!!!
Jeff
From Ted Nelson:
I am drinking my morning cup of coffee, wishing I could taste some of these incredible treats.
From Charu Suri:
They were pretty awesome, Ted. Thanks for checking it out!
From Charu Suri:
I know, it was pretty awesome. Hope you can join us on the next round my friend!
From Charu Suri:
We didn’t eat everything in sight
Just a nibble here and there, sort of like wine tasting.
From Charu Suri:
Blackmail!!!!!!
From Norbert:
Yumm, now that I'm at work and reading this I'm drooling over the cupcake pics… lol Hmm, it's ok, I'll hold the blackmail money for other "more compromising" photos… lol
I definitely had a great time at the Cupcake Crawl, and I agree, Amy's Bread cupcakes are the best ones!
From Charu Suri:
Norbert, I should have supersized that photo of you stuffing your face
From Andi of My Beautiful Adventures:
I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous!!! Why on earth did we not know each other when I lived in NYC? Boo! But, I'm so glad you guys had such an awesome time. YUM!!!
From Charu Suri:
Next one will be in Charlotte!
From sarah wu:
I had a great time with you guys. I did miss few of the cup cake spot but I get to catch up with the last two. I love what I brought too. Thank you for putting this event togather sweetie. You're the best.
From Matt Minucci:
Great time, all! Special thanks to Norbert and Aaron for the candid open-mouth-insert-cupcake poses. Very genuine.
From Cara / All About Mexico:
ummmm… i think you should do a cupcake crawl part II… because I would definitely be in! haha
From Suzy:
Sounds like a delicious way to spend the afternoon. Although, I don't know how you guys ate several cupcakes in a few hours. I think I might have trouble stomaching all of that sweetness.
From Jeremy B:
Those cupcakes look delicious!
From Charu Suri:
We didn’t (at least I didn’t). I had one, and a quarter of another, that’s it. It was more about the pictures and the company.
From Charu Suri:
They were, ask Aaron. He ate most of them! I only had 1.25!
From Randy:
Wow! That crawl looks awesome, and the pictures, well, they look delicious. You've got me really jonesing now for a cupcake or three.
From Miss K:
Oh, yum! This is right in my neck of the woods, but I've never had the cupcakes from Amy's Bread. I'll have to check them out!
From Charu Suri:
I really hope you come to the next one!! I’m thinking of organizing another soon for the fall
From Abby:
Amazing! I'd recognize those Cupcake Cafe or Magnolia confections anywhere!
From Charu Suri:
They are so signature— and MAYJOH!!