Make My Cake Harlem

Make My Cake: 121 Saint Nicholas Avenue New York, NY

Flavors: Strawberry, Strawberry Coconut and Red Velvet Walnut

Cost $2.50-$4.00

Score: 5

The Bounty: Large Strawberry Coconut & Red Velvet with walnuts

I remember the first time I visited Make My Cake...it was heavenly. The perfectly pink shop located on 116th and Adam Clay Powell Blvd is about a 2-3 block walk from the 2 or 3 trains (although taking the 4 would be better). Walking into the shop you immediately feel at home. Their vast selection drew me in with their signature red velvet and strawberry cupcakes that are drool-worthy.   

My favorites: strawberry cupcakes 

The day of my visit I would notice that they offered two sizes for their cupcakes:regular and large. The prices ranged from $2.50-$4.00 depending on flavor and size. I wanted to get a regular-sized cupcake in each flavor but sticking to my cupcake budget and portion size was important so I ordered one regular sized strawberry cupcake and 2 large cupcakes in red velvet walnut and strawberry-coconut. My total for all three was $10.50. My mouth was already salivating.

They serve pies, cobbler, cookies, donuts, danish, muffins, etc.

Make My Cake's customer service was excellent. The line of five people moved rather quickly as the waitstaff answered every question with a genuine smile and gave change with a prompt, "Thank you!". Their warm smiles and casual conversation made me feel like a valued customer which is important when there's a cupcake shop on every corner. Each cupcake was chosen and packaged with care and all questions were answered with accurate knowledge of both the product and the store. Further, everything was pristine clean. 

I love their packaging...a happy baker

After snapping some pics, I saw that my regular cupcake was housed in a pink bag with the cutest logo. I've always enjoyed the chubby baker reaching into the oven and pulling out freshly made goodness. It screams homemade, warmth, and care. 

The awning of Make My Cake in Harlem

Before I could devour my goodies, I was knee-deep in cupcakes from my New York trip so I had to put these babies in the refrigerator for another day :-(. I was pleased to find that my strawberry coconut was as rich, smooth, and creamy as it was the day that I bought it. Fresh strawberries were bursting from the batter and the frosting wasn't too sweet but just right. 

Make My Cake's German Chocolate cake
went up against Bobby Flay on 'Throwdown'

My red  velvet cake had a great texture and was complemented by the subtle cream cheese frosting and walnuts. My mini strawberry was a treat too. Even though it was a regular sized cupcake, I felt that it lasted longer than a traditional cupcake; something that I owe in part to the homemade nature of MMC's baked goods. 

Make My Cake is also a 30 seat bakery and cafe internet lounge 

Make My Cake in Harlem was by far my favorite experience while in New York (out of 5 shops visited with Dylan's Candy Bar running a close second). I see why New York's elite (Jay-Z, Beyonce, and others) flock to the Harlem-based hideaway. 

                                                

   
                  

                                        

Crumbs Bakery: Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Crumbs Bakery (43 West 42nd Street, NY Times Square)
Flavors: Caramel Apple 
Cost: $3.85
Score: 3.0

Crumbs in Times Square

Although I disavowed Crumbs in a previous review, on this sunny afternoon in Times Square I would try them again. Walking into the petite shop I was greeted with several cupcake flavors and food choices. Although Crumbs is known for their cupcakes, they are a bakery that serves other baked goods such as danishes, mini cheesecakes, brownies, and cookies. 

Crumbs had great variety

I came across two fun cupcakes that caught my attention: the red velvet delicious (a red velvet cupcake decorated to look like an apple with a green stem) and a caramel apple cupcake (an apple spice cupcake topped with caramel and butter cream frosting with a protruding wooden stick). I decided to go with the caramel apple cupcake alone. 

Red Velvet cupcakes shaped like apples

My total was $3.85 which isn't bad for such a sizable cupcake. The young lady who waited on me was very kind. She even looked up the address for another bakery on her iPhone after ringing me up. 

Grabbing my cupcake I was a bit hesitant because everything within me wanted it to be good so that I could change my original opinion of Crumbs. They were already winning in the flavor category (I love caramel apples) so I had to put this baby to work.

Flavor of the week: Caramel Apple

Dipping my spoon into the large cake and sliding it downward revealed chunks of apple, spices, and a cream cheese frosting underneath the thick caramel. Holding it to my mouth I thought, "this better be good" and it was. The cupcake was bursting with real apple flavor complemented by the caramel. The cream cheese rounded out the fairly textured cake making it sweet and moist. The stick even acted as a sufficient anchor to the heavy cupcake. 

My treat...caramel on top with apple chunks in the middle

All in all I dug the cupcake and my experience at Crumbs was favorable. I can't say that it is one of my top five but in a pinch, I may see myself stopping by to try some of their other flavors. 

                           

Dylan's Candy Bar (NYC)

Dylan’s Candy Bar

Location: 1101 Third Avenue, NY,NY

Flavors: Gummy Bear Vanilla Butter Crème with Vanilla Cake and edible glitter

Cost: $3.50

Score: 5

By: Stephanie

Candy Confetti cupcake made from Nerds Candies

I’ve been dreaming about Dylan’s Candy Bar since it first opened over a decade ago. The brainchild of Dylan Lauren, daughter of fashion icon Ralph Lauren, I knew that the idea of classic candy favorites with an adult twist would be epic. Several locations later, the Dylan’s Candy Bar brand encompasses a line of home goods, accessories, clothing, bed & bath, a website, a new book and five retail locations in New York, LA, East Hampton, Miami and Houston. 

Chocolate fondue fountain

Walking into the main level where swarms of children are frothing at the mouth over the endless selection of candy, I am greeted by a large fondue station selling chocolate-dipped goodies for a buck.  The 4-level department store boasts home goods on the ground floor with the top level reserved for  party room and bar complete with candy-themed drinks like: a Gummy Bear martini. I set up shop on the second floor which was home to their cupcakes, candy sundaes, gourmet PB & J sandwiches and other yummy comfort foods.

Candy-themed cupcakes

The cupcake selection was stellar! The variety was amazing although most of the cakes were standard chocolate or vanilla with candy thrown in. Nonetheless, I chose the gummy bear butter crème with edible glitter (who doesn’t love edible glitter) which retails for $4.00. The young lady waiting on me made sure to place it in the box right-side up to not damage the work of art.

Dylan Lauren in Candy

The entire staff was super-friendly. After asking an employee about the nearest subway stop, the employee personally escorted me to the subway station which sits directly outside of DCB's doors. While walking out, I saw a strategically placed picture of Dylan Lauren made entirely out of candy. It was both creepy and inventive. 

Yummy Gummy Bear Cupcakes

A day later when I indulged into my gummy bear treat- magic erupted. One bite into this moist vanilla cupcake was all the proof that I needed to declare DCB a surefire hit! The creamy buttercream frosting was just right with the precious gummy bears adding flavor and distinction. The cupcake was also huge! So large in fact that I had to cut it in half and save the rest for later.

Left: Prince Cupcakes with Sixlets
Right: Chocolate malt ball cupcakes

I must be honest, my expectations for DCB were low. How can you be good at candy and cupcakes? But I should have known that DCB would specialize in all things delectable and good. Besides, that place looks like Willy Wonka's factory on acid...and that's a good thing!

                                           

Baked by Melissa

Baked by Melissa (1585 Broadway; between 47th & 8th) 
Flavors: S'mores, Double Cookie, Cookies n Cream, Tie-dye, Red Velvet, PB& J
Cost: $5 for 6 minis 
Score: 4

Bag by Melissa

 Strolling through Times Square, I remembered that there was a Baked by Melissa's in the area. On a random side street, a few blocks from the metro, sits a small shop with enough room for you and perhaps 2 other adults. The stainless steel and glass store deviates from the tradition pink and whimsy fluff that you see at other shops (for the record, I like pink...whimsy...and fluff).  The tiny cupcakes sat on the glass wall like make-up at the M.A.C. counter and with as many flavors/colors to choose from. 

I was immediately greeted by one of the two staff members. It was difficult to tell if she recognized me as the Cupcake Critic or was genuinely greeting me as a customer. Nonetheless, she patiently waited as I mulled through their menu and chose 6 of their 20 exotic flavors for the day. She eloquently described every flavor and lovingly placed them in the box. 

My total for 6 minis was $5.50 which isn't so bad but the tiny two-bite treat probably totals 1 whole cupcake when put together. Because I had so many treats, I thought I'd break down each flavor as follows:

Double Cookie: This was September's flavor of the month and I loved it. Although not a chocolate person, I loved tasting the chocolate goodness within the first bite. The double cookie in the middle made this moist treat even better. 

S'mores: When compared to other cupcakes it's standard fare. I've never been a s'mores person but for those who are the cupcake doesn't disappoint. 

Cookies-n-cream: I love the winter white cake part of the cupcakes with the black and white speckled frosting. Reminiscent of a chocolate sandwich cookie in cupcake form, the delectable 2-bite treat serves the appetite and hits the spot. 

PB & J: Can't say that I'm a huge fan. The texture was kind of bread-y and with coupled with sticky peanut butter and a smear of jam, it stuck to the roof of my mouth prior to going down kind of dry. 

Red Velvet: A decent red velvet cupcake. Fairly moist with a great cream cheese frosting. Although not a red velvet cupcake-eater, I appreciate the gentle notes of chocolate found in this colorful mini-cupcake. 

Tie Dye: A bit too sweet for my taste with no real flavor to speak of but not a bad treat either. Consider it a box filler. 

Overall I enjoyed Baked by Melissa's and think that the mini-treats are perfect for a quick snack without breaking the bank or your diet. The service is friendly with locations 8 accessible locations and awesome packaging. 

                         

It's been a long time....

Hey Cupcake Lovers! To quote Rakim and Timbaland: "It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...without a dope beat to step to" There's been soo much activity here at Critic HQ that I haven't kept everyone updated with my posts. 

My Black Street Awards

First, I'm proud to announce that I am the winner of the Black Street Award for 'Best Blog' and 'Best Website'!!! The awards ceremony was held on Monday September 17th at the Millesime in New York. I am so excited (and exhausted) but still on my award-winning high. Thank you to all of my Cupcake Lovers, family, friends, and everyone who voted for me! Check out this video recap to see snippets of the awards show... 

                                                              

Speaking of awards, I am happy to announce that I am a nominee for 'Best Food Blog' for The Black Weblog awards! Let's keep the momentum going D.C. and show them what we're working with! Voting starts on September 15th and will end on October 3rd. To vote for the Cupcake Critic for 'Best Food Blog' click here....

Me hugging Nisi Bennett of the Susan G. Komen Walking team,
Forever-A-Pear; coordinator for Cupcake Challenge for a Cure

Prior to the awards show I threw my first 'Cupcake Happy Hour' to say "Thank you" to everyone for taking the time to vote for me! By all accounts it was a great success with cupcakes from Sweet Themez bakery, a beauty bar provided by Stacia Jackson of Pink Papaya, and door prizes from Shannon Burgwald of Stella & Dot. Check out this video recap... 

Finally, while in NYC I visited: Baked by Melissa, Crumbs, Dylan's Candy Bar, Make My Cake, and Magnolia Bakery. More reviews to follow with a special new segment being added to the weekly line-up....any guesses on what it might be? 

Wow Cupcake Lovers! We did it!! Much more to come! Thank you so much for reading, liking, subscribing, and following :-)

Stephanie,

The Cupcake Critic 

               

Cool Cupcake Stuff: Dylan's Candy Bar

While looking up yummy cupcakes for my trip to NY, I stopped by the website of Dylan's Candy Bar. First-Dylan's is awesome! In fact, it's second generation awesome. Dylan's Candy Bar is helmed by Dylan Lauren: the daughter of Americana architect, Ralph Lauren. Dylan's Candy Bar serves classic candy treats with a swagged-out adult twist (yes, I said swag....) Perhaps I will try their Sunday brunch which offers waffles and mimosas for $12.95...or their Friday candy soirees complete with signature drinks, cupcakes, and of course, candy! In the meantime, here are a few of my non-food favs found on their site...Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Dylan's Candy Bar

Retailing for $20, this box set includes 4 resusable, food safe silicone baking cups perfect for baking cupcakes. Serve them to your guest on their adjoining saucers and you'll be the bell of the teacup ball.

Photo courtesy of Dylan's Candy Bar

We all have seen the cute quote: Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake. But who wouldn't want this cute carrying case wrapped around their beloved tablet? Well know you can, and for only $14.96!

Photo courtesy of Dylan's Candy Bar

It doesn't get any cuter than cupcake-shaped mints in a cupcake shaped tin. This perky pink poppers retail for $4.95 on Dylan's Candy Bar