Why are New Yorkers so obsessed with cupcakes? Is it because they are small so we don’t feel too guilty about eating one? Perhaps they appeal to our individualistic leanings with a large variety of colors, flavors, and bakeries to choose from? Or maybe we like they because they are cute?

Doe Deere tends to lean toward the latter. But, as much as I love them, I’m not going to waste my daily calorie allowance on just any cake in a cup! Being a typical New Yorker, I needed to know where I get the best stuff, for cheap – so a Cupcake Expedition was in order. On a quest to find the best-tasting cupcake in Manhattan, I took a hike from Chelsea to West Village to Lower East Side, hitting up places on the way.

Bakeries covered & what I discovered

  • Stop 1: Billy’s Bakery (184 9th Ave. at 22nd Street)
    Our first stop was Billy’s Bakery in Chelsea. This place is pretty famous, so beware: you’ll be waiting in line for a cupcake. I had a ‘Vanilla Vanilla’ cupcake which was okay, but a little dry. Sorry Billy’s – not impressed. Next!
  • Stop 2: Eleni’s Bakery (75 9th Ave. at West 15th Street)
    Located inside the Chelsea Market, this bakery has a gorgeous decor. Too bad they don’t let you take pictures because “everything is patented”. Patented-schmatented, gimme a cupcake! I had a large chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing and white cream filling – and it was excellent. In fact, I loved it so much I got a regular vanilla mini-cupcake to go! Unfortunately, that one turned out to be less than fantastic. Tsk, tsk – inconsistency! At least I got them for 50% off as everything in the store goes on sale after 6 pm.
  • Stop 3: Crumbs (37 E. 8th Street at University Place)
    Perhaps due to offering the flashiest cupcakes in NYC, Crumbs is popular with catering companies. Their cupcakes are $3.50 a pop and HUGE (big enough for two). I was impressed with the assortment and overall look of the cupcakes they had. If you like the more robust, muffin-y kind of a cupcake with generous amounts of icing, this place is for you. But I don’t, so moving on!

This is where we took a small detour and stumbled into an upscale chocolate/ice-cream shop. There, we made friends with a staff guy named Vampee (Voltaire would be proud!). I gave Vampee a signed Doe Deere CD and he gave me a free cup of coconut gelato in exchange. Awesome! :)

Wait. STILL NO PERFECT CUPCAKE!!

  • Stop 4: Sugar Sweet Sunshine (126 Rivington Street)
    Our last stop – for a reason. :)  Gala believes this place to have the best cupcake in New York City and I didn’t want it to skew my perception – so I left it for last. ;) And so, I am happy to announce… that their cupcakes are, indeed, the best! Moist, creamy, buttery-tasting icing – and really cheap to boot (only $1.50 per cake)! Granted, they are on the smaller side, but that’s a bonus in my book – I get to sample more flavors in one sitting! ;)

Indulging in the park!

Kat is proof that the business types like cupcakes, too!

In the process I found out that when it comes to cupcakes, I’m very much a ‘vanilla’ kinda gal. I like my frosting to taste natural, not too sweet and cream filling is always a plus! My favorite sprinkle color combo is bright blue and pink. :)

Deerlings: what is your favorite treat?

P.S. Special thanks to my beautiful friend Margarita and sister Kat for helping me with the pictures and tasting!