The Best Cupcakes in New York
I didn’t grow up with cupcakes. I’m Italian, and as far as I know, cupcakes just aren’t a thing there. We have torta, crostata, ciambella, pan di spagna… but nothing that comes in a paper liner with a swirl of frosting and a name like Red Velvet.
I first tried a cupcake a few years ago. I wanted to make a porcelain stand for my niece’s birthday. I wanted it to be petite, just like her. But I needed to know: What size is a New York cupcake? How tall? How wide?
My husband and I walked to Yummy Tummy Kitchen, a small bakery near our old apartment in East Williamsburg. It had opened just before the pandemic. He insisted I try the red velvet as part of my “American education.” It was soft, dense, and most importantly, delicious.
That first cupcake inspired the size of the mini stand I made for my niece's birthday, after realizing my earlier designs were too big for a proper cupcake. That stand turned into a whole series. You can see them here, and if you're curious, I wrote more about that first one in this post.
That first cupcake was mostly research, but it left an impression. Since then, I’ve tasted a few more: sometimes for styling, and sometimes just because it’s nice to celebrate something (a birthday, a Tuesday, a one-year business anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day).
Inspired by my newfound love for cupcakes, here are some of my top picks. Some are classics, some are small neighborhood gems. These are not necessarily the trendiest or the most Instagrammed—but they’re made with care, and I think that matters most.
I didn’t set out to become someone with strong opinions about cupcakes. But then again, I didn’t expect to make porcelain stands for them either.
Favorites, by Flavor & Feel
Yummy Tummy Kitchen - East Williamsburg
Chef Melissa’s cupcakes changed my mind about the whole category. They're still my favorite in all of New York. If you've seen my product photos featuring a cupcake, it probably came from Yummy Tummy.
Chef Melissa’s Red Velvet (my first cupcake ever) is deeply flavorful, fresh, delicate, and rich all at once. Strawberry is my favorite.
Billy’s Bakery - Chelsea and Tribeca
This one feels like stepping into someone’s pastel dream of the 1950s. The cupcakes are classic and comforting, with generous frosting. Vanilla with Chocolate Frosting is my favorite.
Little Cupcake Bakeshop - SoHo
The Italian Rainbow cake cupcake is striking. The vivid colors look beautiful on my rainbow series stands.
Sugar Sweet Sunshine – Lower East Side
The Holla Back Girl is a moist banana cake with tart cream cheese frosting. It shows their playful take on classic flavors.
Urban Backyard – Nolita
Miniature cupcakes, often vegan or gluten-free, topped with edible flowers or botanicals. Matcha is my favorite.
Huascar & Co. – Hell’s Kitchen
The Vanilla Extrovert is a vanilla cake filled with dulce de leche and topped with chocolate buttercream. It combines Dominican heritage with generous sprinkles.
Magnolia Bakery – Multiple Locations
Skip the cupcakes and get the Banana Pudding in a single-serve cup. It fits perfectly on a mini stand.