Billy's Bakes Banana {cupcakes} Beautifully!!

Billy's Bakery
Tribeca: 75 Franklin Street (Between Broadway and Church Street)

Nolita: 268 Elizabeth Street (Between Prince and Houston Streets)

Chelsea: 184 9th Avenue (Between 21st and 22nd Streets)


Somehow I've never managed to make it to Billy's - until last week - and boy, had I been missing out! I never would have picked it out on my own, but my dear friend, Em, suggested the banana cupcake with cream cheese frosting and it was amazing!!

The banana one is on the left {AMAZING!!}.. The yellow daisy flavor is on the right. That one was good, but the banana overshadowed it :)

And the decor inside is just simply charming!

 Such a cute gift idea for a friend! Who wouldn't want to try several flavors?!

Good to know: Billy's Bakery is on maxdelivery.com!!! You could get them delivered!! Or maybe that's bad to know :)

Learning the sweetest secrets!

Butterlane Cupcakes

123 East 7th Street (between 1st Ave. and Avenue A)

My youngest sister, Brooke, decided to fly to the city last minute so we quickly started brain storming everything she wanted to do during this trip. She's been here a bunch and been to all of the usual spots. Her only request was that we do new things that no one in our family (except me) have ever tried before! Luckily in New York, there's always plenty more to see, taste and do! 

I knew about Butterlane Cupcakes and their Zagat rated treats (made the top 8 in NYC list!), but had  heard you have to book a class online months in advance. Sure enough, all of their classes listed online were full for the weekend. As a last ditch effort, I gave the store a call and they said they were opening up a new class for that night! Woo-hoo! Perfect timing! A couple of girlfriends, Brooke and I headed up to Butterlane for an amazing night of baking! 

 First, the dozen or so bakers divided into three groups. Our group made the chocolate cupcakes. You're in a pretty small group (just a few people) so everyone gets a chance to help and really see the magic behind them!

 Rows and rows of baking pans!

 Do we have enough?!?! Dozens and dozens of cupcakes!!

One of the best parts about the class - no washing dishes at all! You simply throw all of the messy spatulas, measuring spoons, bowls in a bin on the floor! They take care of the rest! If only it worked that way at home!

While we were waiting for the cupcakes to bake, we started making the frosting. Yes, that is butter my sister is grabbing! By the handful!

 

 We whipped and whipped the frosting! Thank goodness for Kitchen Aids!

After we had made the cupcake batter and frosting, I thought the real work or tricky part was done! I couldn't have been more wrong! Brooke and my girlfriends were amazing at frosting the cupcakes with the special Butter Lane style, but let me tell you - it wasn't easy to make them look this pretty :)

After frosting dozens of cupcakes, we took too many home :) 

I'd highly recommend this to any bakers (or want to be's - like me:) who live in the city or if you're visiting! it makes for a super fun girls night! Or even better for a date night if you can get your lucky man to join you! (Show him how many cupcakes you bake and I bet he'll be convinced!)

Good to know: Classes are booked out sometimes months in advance, but they often post info about last minute openings (because people cancel) on their Facebook page. Keep checking and hopefully you can get into a class soon too!

Better look for this one or you'll miss it!

It really is kind of hidden, but definitely worth finding! I stumbled upon it while walking to the subway the other day. The cakes are a sight to see and the cookies will make your mouth water! 

City Cakes

251 West 18th Street (look for the stairs!)

Cupcakes, cookies and cakes! This place has enough sugar inside to send you straight to the dentist! And check out this cake! Their creations are simply amazingly beautiful!

One of the owners, Benny Rivera, told me they made these displays after creating the cakes (which were obviously very popular with their clients). He said they actually just opened the retail counter last summer. Before that, they only did custom orders! If any of these look familiar,  you may have seen Rivera and his cakes when his shop was featured on TLC's Fabulous Cakes show!

So I didn't actually get to try a cake, but I did get a taste of their cookies! Each one is a half-a-pound! Whoa! So, so yummy!

As I was getting ready to walk out the door, Benny told me I really had to try one of their cupcakes because he said they are famous for their moist cakes and smooth buttercream frosting. It didn't take much convincing and I was out the door with a salted carmel cupcake. I'm a chocolate girl all the way, but this cupcake was definitely worth switching it up for! It was every so moist (think sticking to fingers - not crumbling) and the frosting had some type of syrup drizzled on top that was incredible!

Sorry the photo of the cupcakes is so bad! I guess I'll just have to go back :) And you'll have to check with them to see if this deal is still going on, but it caught my eye! 

Know before you go: There's no seating inside. On a nice day, I'd suggest picking them up and then walking the few blocks to Highline Park! Also, it's not exactly a cheap treat at $2.50 for a regular cupcake and $3.50 for a premium flavor, but its definitely worth trying. Cookies at $3.50, but remember, it's a half-a-pound!