Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Magnolia Bakery Opens in L.A.









Magnolia Bakery opened it's doors in Los Angeles over the weekend. Although I had never before been to Magnolia, I've made many of their delicious desserts with More From Magnolia cookbook (as seen here, here, and here) and was already quite a fan. Whitney and I stopped in on Monday to see the bakery and try their treats and were delighted with what we found. The decor is adorably old fashioned, with black and white checkered floors, fresh flowers, and pastel colored walls. The menu features brownies, cheesecakes, icebox pies, puddings, and cookies as well as their famous cupcakes that started the entire mini-dessert craze. I tested the waters with my two favorite flavors-red velvet and vanilla. While both were decadent and satisfying, I was a little disappointed with the consistency of the cake (a little dry) and the frosting on the red velvet. I found out later that you can specify cream cheese frosting, but the standard red velvet comes with whipped vanilla icing. The chic retro feel of Magnolia won me over in the decor department and I was elated that there wasn't a line. I'll definitely be back to try the cheesecakes and icebox pies, but when it comes to cupcakes, I still prefer Sprinkles.

In other news, the lovely Lisa from In Dramatic Fashion has featured me today on her Style Snapshot. Check it out!

46 comments:

Lindsey said...

Oh how divine!! I want one of each please!!

Anonymous said...

That sounds so cute! Wish we had one around here :)

Diana Mieczan said...

Awww I want to be in LA right now and I could have one of those amazing cupcakes....Yummy!!!! I love the photos and all the sweeties look so divine:)
Happy Wed!
Kisses,darling

Sniff said...

Those cakes sure do look good! Maybe it's a good thing there's no Magnolia type bakery close to where I live? ;)

this free bird said...

MMMMMM. I wish I could try, but given those red velvet babies you made last week I will most def take your word on it!!

Lovely B. said...

Magnolia Bakery was on my list of places I just had to visit during my first trip to NYC, and I must agree. Despite the charming ambiance, the actual cupcakes themselves weren't great. It was fun to try, but I prefer the cupcakes sold at my favorite local cafe over the world famous Magnolia Bakery.

Still need to try those red velvet balls you wrote about last week. They look Delicious :)

Nikki said...

I agree with you on the cupcakes. I always find them dry too.
The banana pudding however, is to die for!


xx
Nikki

Gina said...

mmmm can't wait to try it! never heard of sprinkles?

Lisa Griffin said...

I totally agree, the iconic nature of Magnolia's is tempting but their baking hasn't won me over!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Same Sweet Girl: Memoir of a Southern Belle said...

YUM!!!!!! I'm actually glad we don't have those where I live because I'd like to start one of my own soon! I've heard that they have dry cake a lot of times. Wonder why?

Lilacandgrey said...

these are def the best cupcakes, but I REFUSE to wait in long lines for them! I am not that in love...

Jess said...

Yuuuum - your posts always make me so hungry! Wish I was there to eat some ;)

Legs said...

Looks so delicious! I need to move to California some day.

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

I jus love Magnolia! My bro and I waited in line for 20 mins then promptly ate our cupcakes in 2 mins lol

Gabriel said...

Everywhere you turn there is a new cupcake place in LA! I agree Sprinkles remains the best.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

I definitely have this in one of the places I need to visit when I am there. Everything looks so yummy. I am seriously drooling right now. =)

Siri said...

I just made their cupcakes the other day!! Interesting, I've always found them to come out a little dry!? But I still love the place and I had no idea one opened here! Thank you once again for being interested in everything I am : )

SabinePsynopsis said...

What a treat. Maybe it's good that the cakes are not perfect, otherwise it would be even harder not to eat one's way through the delicacies... xo

Erica said...

I remember when I first went to their flagship on Bleecker in NYC. The line literally went around the block. Chris was like this is INSANE! What people will do for a cupcake! I too think they are a little too dry. My favorite cupcake spot in NYC is Billy’s Bakery http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/ I am dying to try Sprinkles, but I will have to wait until February 2011 when the first one in NYC opens.
BTW, congrats on the fashion feature!

Leia said...

Those look sooooo yummy!

Leia's Delights

Annie said...

I still haven't tried the Magnolia in NY, but I hear mixed reviews..

Lindsay said...

OH I have to go :) I want to take Landyn to a cupcakery for her birthday....perhaps here!

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Magnolia's cupcakes are yummy. Off to check you out!

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

I love, love cupcakes. I actually have a post scheduled for next week on DC cupcake shops =)

Marcie said...

That place looks amazing. I may be coming to LA in September and will have to check it out. Don't you just love how LA gets all the best things first? It is so convenient.

I am off to see your style post!

xo Marcie

Andrea said...

You simply must go! There are a few stores here in NYC and they are amazing! My favorite is the red velvet, yummy!

California Wife said...

YUM, I love cupcakes, and am craving one really badly after reading this post!

STYLE'N said...

hmm...too bad it was a big dry, but on a positive note the pics are great and I saw your post over at In Dramatic Fashion and it was awesome!!

Welcome said...

Listen, this is now all your fault because when I go to the bakery on my way home and grab the cupcake goodies they always have - I am blaming it on you for those amazing looking yummy desserts - OMG!!!

XOXO
Kiki

Joyti said...

I haven't had either Magnolia or Sprinkles (I know, I must be the only person in the US who hasnt tried Sprinkles)...but their stuff is awfully cute :)

Jen Watts said...

I love reading your blog but this post was torture for a pregnant lady ;)
Its probably a good thing I have no local cupcake shop or else I'd be there everyday.

Josie said...

I DESPERATELY want to go to Magnolia! It's always on my hit-list for when I visit New York... Now I'll add it to my LA one! We have a new cupcake place where I live and I just tried it... I'm addicted now.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Sweet Southern Prep said...

Oh, how yummy! That's awesome! I want one here. :)

paddle to shore said...

Ohh- I haven't been yet! I'll have to check it out

Bren said...

I've been waiting for them to open! I can't tell you how many times I've passed by, and they still had the paper up on the windows. I'm so excited! If I weren't in Burbank right now, I'd head on over! Maybe that's a good thing though. ;) We seriously need to meet up for some sweets and treats soon!

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

J. said...

That sounds like such a cute place! Hopefully their other desserts are amazinggg!

said...

I am so excited, I'm going to go here asap once I get back to LA!

Emma
TheSidewalkIsMyRunway

Oh, My Darling said...

As a major cupcake fanatic, I must say that this is super-exciting news to you LA folks!

Jamie said...

GET OUT!!! I am going to have to GO!! Do you know if they make gluten free cupcakes??

http://www.glamlatte.com

Books&Jewels said...

ooo i should head over....LONG BEACH has a cupcake place called FROSTED...amazing red velvet cupcakes...even better than Beverly Hills' Sprinkles

k said...

i loved your style snapshot....and i'm jealous that you have fabulous bakeries like these!! i swear they don't eat cupcakes in switzerland, it is sad!
have a good day lady!!!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

You just made my friend's day! She lived in NY and was in love with this place and has been eager for it to open. I just sent her a link to this post adn now that's where we are going for lunch tomorrow =D

It looks tasty, but I'll try something other than the red velvet. Thanks for the tip. That fourth cupcake down looks amazing! What is it?

heather said...

Yum! Those pictures are heavenly! I've had a craving for making cheesecake for a while now. Something which should happen now within the next week. Hope you enjoy your next visit (and cheesecake!)

Kirsten said...

I heart the banana pudding.

Andee Layne said...

me too! my girlfriend and I went there last week! I loved magnolias in NYC but maybe because it was so cute and intimate shop. I def preferred sprinkles! You should check out Susie Cakes! They have one in Santa Monica... i like them more than sprinkles!

on a side note...magnolias did have a peanut butter freezer pie that i was eyeing. May have to make a trip back to try that one! xo

www.andeelayne.blogspot.com

haircutting in high heels said...

I love Magnolia baker when in NY and was so excited to hear they have come to L.A. can't wait to lick my fingers after eating a vanilla cupcake!
xx
Gina