Just a few days ago, after several weeks filled with baking with sweets, I can remember exclaiming to no one in particular that it would be a looooong time before I sought out baked goods again. So dramatic
That lasted about…a week? (I’m not counting Monday’s cupcake since I only had two bites. I can never turn down two bites, no matter how sugar overloaded I am.) This afternoon, I walked by a new cupcake shop and decided I had to try it. You know how it works.
Molly’s Cupcakes opened at this location in August, and from what I can gather on the website, started off in Chicago. The shop itself was absolutely adorable, with a cozy “bar” area surrounded by chair swings.
There was a pretty good selection of “filled” cupcakes to choose from, as well as the option to “build your own” cupcake from a variety of bases, frostings and toppings.
I debated for awhile over what to get, having difficulty between the peanut butter Nutella and cake batter flavors. Serious problems, obviously.
In the end, though, the “raw cake batter” filling in the cake batter one won me over.
I bought my cupcake and kind of flipped out when I saw the sprinkle bar near the napkins and cutlery:
Best idea ever. I topped mine with extra rainbow sprinkles.
The verdict? It wasn’t the best cupcake I’ve ever had, but it was definitely up there. The frosting was ridiculously buttery and fluffy, to the point that I couldn’t eat it alone like I usually would- I prefer almost saccharine, thick frostings. Still, it was a good complement to the cake part, which was dense and sweet with a slightly chewy texture. The middle was probably my favorite, though: ooey-gooey batter, just as advertised. I need to get on recreating it, stat.
One thing I didn’t like about Molly’s was the price:$4.06, which is expensive and hard to justify, even in Manhattan. Crumbs is a little cheaper and gives you a bigger cupcake, but the extra dollar was worth it for this one time to try something new
What new food discoveries have you made recently, whether it be restaurants or recipes?
Build your own cupcake? Sounds fantastic! Unfortunately, yes, $4 for a cupcake is a bit much..but I’m pretty sure I would’ve bought one too
What a cute little place!
The cake batter cupcake sounds like the best idea ever!
$4 is a bit steep of a price for a cupcake, especially after comparing the size of it to the Crumbs ones you’ve had on here previously.
We rarely eat out and if we do we pretty much eat at the same places. However, you’ve now made me want to go and try every bakery in my town to find a good cupcake. Although Sunny Skies in my town has the best ice cream ever! They have a cake batter and brownie batter (with actual brownies in it) and they are my favorite ones to get! I seriously have to visit them again before they close for the season.
I love the build your own options. Looks delicious!
I’m such a sucker for cupcakes and have to try one at every new place that opens. The price is definitely steep at Molly’s, but they have some really adorable touches. LOVE the build your own option and the sprinkle bar! I haven’t seen that anywhere in Boston.
How rad that you can build your own! Cute.
The build your own cupcake idea is such a cute idea. I guess they are trying to compete with the build your own yogurt bars. I also love the idea of using shakers for sprinkles. That would be so cute to do at a party! I love trying new cupcake places.
Oh I didn’t even think of that! Wouldn’t it be cute for a kid’s party? Or an adult one actually, I know I’d still be all over that…
I think you paid for the atmosphere- that place is super cute! ….I would have totally went with the cake batter cupcake too! I have this weird thing with sprinkles- it’s called lust!
I have that with sprinkles too
Those swing chairs are so cute! I think the $4 is worth it just to get to sit in those chairs!
It better be, haha- that’s totally what you’re paying for there!
A DIY sprinkle bar? Now THAT is genius!
I would have gone ga-ga for both the frosting and the cupcake batter center. You said it wasnt your fave cupcake ever….I’d love to know what cupcake memories you do have that are best. I will search those cupcakes out for sure, b/c I know you are a sweets coniussiour
Crumbs grasshopper, hands down. There are locations in LA if you’re ever there!! You need to try it, I know you love chocolate + mint, right?
I love that you sit on swings. So cute. The cupcakes are pretty but darn, that is exensive.
You are in CHICAGO?! Molly’s is the best! Cool to see you in some of the places i go to. hope you have fun in my city!
OH NM! I need to read more closely. Yes, Molly’s in Chicago is awesome and looks the same with the swings, etc. Glad you had a good time even if you weren’t in Chicago!
Looks like the Chicago staple is expanding- it was definitely a great cupcake, the windy city did well!
Oh my goodness, those stools are so cool! And a sprinkle bar?! I need to go visit Molly and her cupcakes.
The had me at chair swings. I am a child.
I know, right? I was so bummed they were all full.
Oh my gosh, how cute are those chair swings!!!! The cupcakes don’t look half bad either.
What an amazing little place! I’ve never heard of building your own cupcake, but it’s genius! Even after all of the baking you did, I don’t think I could have resisted this either.
That cupcake place looks super cute!
Newest recipe discovery: fresh green beans are sooooo good roasted with spices. I thought I would only eat them in a stir fry or at thanksgiving!
Oh I’ve done that! Last fall I remember I went through a phase where I slathered them with salsa. So good.
I have never commented here before but I have read your blog many times and think it’s great! If I’m not mistaken, you’ve talked many times about the Titanic…I found this article on Yahoo, and thought it was pretty cool. If you haven’t already seen it, here’s the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/rare-titanic-photos-and-letters-1319127118-slideshow/1-photo-1319050644.html
or I guess you could just find it on Yahoo. Those cupcakes look absolutely delicious!!
Too funny- a friend actually just emailed me that article last night. If only $36,000 were a reasonable Christmas present…
I’ve been to the Molly’s in Chicago. Love the atmosphere! And the Nutella cupcake is very good. I love the idea of stuffed cupcakes but found the one I tried at least to be a little dry. Even so, I’d probably go again.
shuuuut the front doooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! BUILD YOUR OWN CUPCAKE AND A SPRINKLE BAR!? where are we, wonka land?!
That place looks awesome. It’s like 16 Handles - the cupcake edition.
It’s not a new place but The Health Nuts on 45th and 2nd just expanded and they have this awesome vegan food which I love. I had a soy cutlet (think like chicken parm but vegan) the other day for lunch and it was so amazing I wished I could go back for seconds.
That is CUTE. So cute. Sprinkles bar is a grand idea. And cake batter cupcakes sound phenom. And those SWINGS. I can’t get over them.
We love Molly’s here in Chi town! Such a cute place to go eat cupcakes and play the board games they have on a rainy day.
We should do a citywide cupcake tour.
I would LOVE that. Have you tried Sprinkles in Midtown yet? It’s their first east coast location and their cupcakes are delicious! I’d love to see you again, it’s been too long!
That definitely looks like a fun experience (sprinkles bar? yes please!) even if the cupcake wasn’t brilliant. My only food discovery is that you don’t really need to froth milk to make a great cup of coffee (it only helps).
[...] by a variety of sources: Gracie’s cake batter blondies, the cake-batter cupcake I had on Thursday, and every incredible pastel-colored pastry I’ve been eyeing up on Pinterest lately. [...]
i had these in chicago and they were FABULOUS. glad to know they branched out to ny!