Butter Heaven

    In New York City there are a few well known cupcake shops scattered about.  You can't go too far without finding a Crumbs, Baked by Melissa or a Magnolia Bakery.  I have tried all three of those and must say they are very tasty.  However, the Buttercup Bake Shop on 2nd Ave. offers something the other bakeries don't- Butter Heaven!  Buttercup Bake Shop was started by the same person who started Magnolia Bakery.  The main difference between the two is that Magnolia Bakery, while very delicious, uses shortening to make their cupcakes while Buttercup uses only butter.  They are the REAL deal.  Everyone knows butter just makes everything better (it's kind of like bacon) and the proof is in these cupcakes. 
    I went to Buttercup with my good friend Tyler to celebrate his birthday. He stuck to a simple and traditional vanilla vanilla and I ordered a red velvet.  Both were simply heavenly.

  

      

     The cake itself was very good.  Nice and moist, but still light.  Not too dense at all.  The icing, however, is truly what makes these cupcakes my favorite in NYC so far.  The icing is creamy and flavorful.  Unlike most icings, it is not overly sugary tasting.  I am not usually the biggest icing fan, but I could have bathed in this stuff had you given me the chance.  It tastes fresh and made by people who genuinely love baking.

    Another reason I have fallen in love with Buttercup Bake Shop is that the shop itself is very cozy and "down home" feeling.  There was no line (unlike any of the other previously mentioned cupcake shops) and the staff was so friendly.  They all offered their opinion on which cupcake was the best or their favorite and seemed truly happy to be there.  And the best part was that they were only $2.50 a cupcake!  That is a steal compared to other bakeries in the city!  Coming here feels like you have left New York and are sitting in your grandmothers kitchen as she bakes dessert for the family dinner and lets you try a sample.    

    Tyler and I decided that our cupcakes were too good to stop at just one each, so we split a hummingbird cupcake.

    This one may have been my favorite.  :)  I will definitely be returning to Buttercup Bake Shop!  Next time I'll have to try some of their banana pudding...

http://www.buttercupbakeshop.com/

  

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.  ~Voltaire