Magnolia Bakery: Carrot Cake Cupcake

Magnolia Bakery (1000 3rd Avenue NY, NY)

Flavors: Carrot Cake 

Cost: $3.50

Score: 3.9

Reviewed by: Stephanie 

Magnolia Bakery has been attributed with kicking off the entire cupcake craze after HBO's Sex & The City character, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker),  stopped by the famous shop for a cupcake. From that point on (coupled with a crippled economy where affordable luxury items would be in great demand) the cupcake craze has swept the country- and the world. 

Magnolia Bakery's Shelf Life

Given its history, what better way to taste Magnolia Bakery than in the middle of Bloomingdale's? Walking in to the small enclave of a shop I was greeted with numerous desserts like banana pudding, baby cheesecakes, and a small assortment of cupcakes ranging from vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and variations thereof. I had hoped to get my hands on the Swarovski crystal cupcake advertised days earlier in celebration of Fashion Week. 

Magnolia Bakery's Carrot Cake Cupcake

After waiting in a short line, I was eagerly greeted by the one of the employees who patiently waited while I lusted after the cool banana pudding and longed for their baby cheesecakes topped with luscious berries. Despite the amazing selection, I ordered the carrot cake cupcake after inquiring about the Swarovski crystal cupcake. My server assured me: "You aren't really missing anything...it's just a vanilla cupcake with a sugar crystal in the middle" I appreciated his honesty.       

       

Magnolia Bakery Box

Once I sunk my teeth into the carrot cake cupcake, I was surprised at the freshness considering that I ate it a day after purchase. The flavor was routine with no real stand-outs but the cream cheese frosting was rich with the perfect balance of texture and taste between the cake and frosting. The portion size was just right but I can't say that it was worth the $3.50 charged. Overall I'd like to visit Magnolia Bakery again (at one of their larger locations) and try some of their other cupcake flavors and desserts.

Showtime's Dexter & Magnolia Bakery Make Bloody Good Cupcakes

Photo courtesy of  Magnolia Bakery

Showtime series, Dexter, is about a sociopath who kills in cold blood by night and then solves his own murders as a forensics expert by day. Creepy, right? New York's Magnolia Bakery created mini red velvet cupcakes featuring shards of sugar glass and splatters of red simple syrup as blood to debut at the show's premiere party on September 27, 2012 at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall. It looks like a very inventive cupcake to compliment the enigmatic character. The first episode of the season premiered on September 30th. 

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The NATO (Jenkins) Cupcake

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Bakery

Despite a cultured upbringing whenever I hear the acronym NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), I think of the scene from the Chris Rock movie, Head of State, whereby the late comedian (and Chicago-native) Bernie Mac states, "I don't know NATO and you don't know Nato (Jenkins)." Despite being old enough to remember when the treaty was signed, I am still reduced to the musings of two comedians upon hearing the term. 

All jokes aside, the New York based bakery, Magnolia Bakery, has created a NATO cupcake for the NATO convention being held in Chicago later this month. This gem will only be sold at the State Street location in Chicago  and is be available for $3.00 until May 25. Oh, and if you haven't seen the movie 'Head of State'...do yourself a favor and click the button below!