Elizabeth

The popularity of the Magnolia Bakery predates Sex and the City by many many years, though I'm sure the program brought it even more business. For a long time I went to a church and a yoga school near there and never missed an opportunity to stop in and have a nice cupcake.

The portable comfort food idea is nice. Also, for me - this is the kind of baking I actually like, what I think of as basic American cake-baking (Magnolia has "real" layer cakes, angel food cake, etc. too).

It's hard to find "real cake" in New York - before the advent of the cupcake places, I can't remember finding my kind of cake anyplace here. And do remember practically weeping with joy in some cafeteria in Savannah where nice layer cakes were on display.

fairfax

I finally had one of the $3.00 cupcakes last night. They were good, but too much icing. It was during a meeting (where someone had sent them as a bribe), and it was tough to eat them and not get entirely sticky. I had something else from there, too, bit it wasn't worth the calories to eat it.

mclaurie

Hard to believe you're cupcake research story Leahaus, but Toast in West Hollywood is evidently run by ex-Magnolia staff
http://www.la.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects...2Ftoast%2F6802

myst

I don't like icing, so cupcakes usually have to be homemade. Chocolate cake batter with a peanut butter cup or pepperming patty dropped into the middle (before baking) creates a nice treat! No frosting required and a nice surprise center. OK -----heading off to epicurious.com now!