Magnolia Cupcakes - Overrated!

[millefeuille]

Is it just me, or is everyone else as disappointed with the cupcakes?

[555]

They're just cupcakes!! never have I seen so many people get excited over a 3rd grade class birthday food. cupcakes!

[kathy]

i agree. not worth the money! sadly enough, I have to say that even i go on occasion because of the hype. ill never understand!

[sing me a bar]

Yeah, the chocolate ones are not all that chocolatey at all and all I taste is strong sugar. It baffles me when people say they;re addicted to the place..

[Sweet Tooth]

I, for one, am a dedicated fan of Magnolia's vanilla cupcakes!!

I am NOT a fan of the crowds but that's the way it is...

[GB]

We have all forgotten the word "hype." I guess some businesses have a great press person. It only takes one person get to get on the bandwagon. I was not impressed with "The Cupcakes."

[AlleyBlue]

Neither was I! They are'nt moist or flavorful. Very overrated....

[mary]

Try Two Little Red Hens on 2nd at 86th St or in Park Slope. The Brooklyn Blackout cupcake is divine, it has chocolate pudding in the center, and the other cupcakes are good and beautifully decorated. Also very nice staff and other yummy treats, like cookies, bars, cakes, pies, etc.

The only thing I like at Magnolia is the german chocolate cake, but I do think people go there for the experience, not the cupcakes. To the naysayers of the criticism, nobody on chowhound ever pretends not to be snobby...you basically can't go on here unless you're willing to dish out the insults along with the praise. Get over it, and enjoy it.

[a&w]

Agreed re Two Red Hens. Their Brooklyn Blackout cupcake is indeed delish.

[gutsofsteel]

Another vote for Two Little Red Hens! Good stuff indeed.

[Alley Blue]

"To the naysayers of the criticism, nobody on chowhound ever pretends not to be snobby...you basically can't go on here unless you're willing to dish out the insults along with the praise. Get over it, and enjoy it."

AMEN TO THAT SISTA!

[fundog]

I'm suprised that no one has yet brought up the Polka Dot Cake Studio down the street from Magnolia's on Bleecker just N of 7th Ave. Superior baked goods, MUCH friendlier staff (as in they don't sneer at you & then beg for tips), and no ridiculous lines of "hipsters". They're not open as late as a dessert cafe should be, but hey, nothing's perfect. As for Magnolia's, I agree that their cupcakes are overrated, but also addicting... we used to joke that they used nicotine in the frosting. I have it on good word from the sweetest teeth that the BEST bakery dessert in NYC is the bread pudding from Buttercup.

[Tristan]

Some of us LOVE cupcakes. Deal with it.

Magnolia's cupcakes are terrible.

In my opinion, no one makes a better cupcake than
CBK Cookies.

[Bubba]

Thanks.

[Tristan]

Hi
They can only be ordered over the phone.
You can get the number by going to:
www.cbkcookies.com

They the most incredible cupcakes I have ever tasted!

Whatever is in their frosting is so addictive, it should be illegal.

Please let me know if you try them.

[Bowfinger]

I think they're disgusting. I bought two and had to throw one out because I couldn't bring myself to eat it.

[mrnyc]

so walk around the corner and get some at MARYS OFF JANE instead. or SWEETHEART BAKERY. they're all fine!

[Peter Cuce]

I never had a cupcake at Mary's, but the apple pie I had there was pretty bad. I like Billy's, on 9th Ave; it's a cut above the rest of the places.

[mrnyc]

i never had any luck with the pies or cakes. i recently had a pumpkin/apple mousse pie slice because it sounded good and it was downright terrible.

MARY'S is all about the cookies, brownies, pastries, cupcakes, coffee (lavazza), cubano sandwiches and well everything but the disappointing cakes and pies.

[Peter Cuce]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll give it another shot.

[toddb]

I think they're delicious. For breakfast, or a snack. Am frankly surprised at the level of angst displayed on this board. Don't go there, but no need to get angry about a cupcake.

[Dipsy]

I'm with you, toddb. I dig 'em. Just the right size, and I guess I like my frosting sickly sweet.

[JessicaSophia]

I was expecting to be disappointed when I tried one of the cupcakes recently, but I thought it was really good-- I had yellow with vanilla frosting, and there was just the right amount of frosting, and the cake was very moist and buttery. I would never wait on a long line for cupcakes, even though I love them so, but I thought it was among the better bakery cupcakes I've ever tasted.

[jesse]

i'd love to find a moist cupcake at magnolia.. although i've been there more than a dozen times in the last few years, i've never had anything near a moist cupcake there..

it's about their frosting..

[ganosh]

No need to malign these delightful treats. Democrats and Republicans will agree that the world is better off with more buttery goodness. In fact, the only problem I have with Magnolia is the dozen-cupcake limit.

[I_<3_NYC_FOOD]

I think they are delicious, too. I have only been once, so I can't testify to Magnolia's consistency (or lack thereof), but when I went, which was just a week or two ago, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the great taste of the cupcake. Mmm, thinking about it again now.....must...go...back...soon :)

[monty]

Magnolia cupcakes are good not great IMO. It was barely worth the wait behind 3 people many years ago. Nowadays the line makes it completely unbearable. The place should specialize in just cupcakes because the other desserts there were too dry and they'd move the line quicker.

[Jon]

I find them devoid of flavor except for the excess of sugar used, which does not agree with my nervous system. :) My current favorite cupcakes are from "The Little Pie Company", one of the all-chocolate ones with the cream filling and a cup of coffee hits the spot every time, the strawberry ones are also yummy and very festive looking.

[nero]

As a major sweet tooth, I find the cupcakes here super disappointing and would not return. But since this has been discussed before, I thought I would mention some other places.

Mary's Off Jane started strong but is fading fast. I think they were earnest when they started but must feel overwhelmed my Magnolia. But the people at Mary's are nicer.

Billy's is decent but in the end it is trying to be Magnolia North. I would return there but not for the cupcakes.

I had a decent cupcake at of all places Whole Foods.

Any other suggestions. I am not familiar with CBK Cookies. Is it only mail-order or do they have a store in the city?

[Dag]

It's not just you. I agree.

[chuck90046]

Magnolia cupcakes SUCK! I have NO IDEA why thy are now all over Manhattan and even opening up in LA! They are dry....I can make a better cupcake using Dunken Heinz cake mix! It is so hilarious to see people waiting in long lines in the village for a stale tasting cupcake.....I'm sure they do it because every one else is doing it.....they are probably the same people who went to see Cats on Broadway and "loved it" because they thought they were supposed to love it......like sheep to the slaughter!!!

[roxxan23]

i am a HUGE fan of cupcakes. magnolia has always been disappointing. making my own cupcakes is much more satisfying.

[VAfoodie]

Yes, I find them dry. On this last visit, got one from a truck in, I want to say Soho?, that was filled with chocolate mousse. They had several different flavors of filling and icing and cake. Much better than Magnolias.

[smokeandapancake]

you think after all this negative feedback on their cupcakes they would adjust the recipe. domino's did it..so can magnolia... :)