You Want to Shop at the Cupcake Stop!

The title reminds me of the song in a Seinfeld episode "I like to stop at the duty free shop!"  No?  Not ringing any bells?  Ok.  Moving on. 

We are back to desserts readers.  On Wednesday, I told you about the wonders that are NYC desserts, and today I want to share with you a particularly sweet spot, The Cupcake Stop.  The rundown:

Who: Lev Ekster, recent law school graduate.  Economy was dim, and he followed his sweet dream.  Therefore, he is my idol.

What: A dessert truck that sells full size and mini-cupcakes.

Where: The official locations of the Cupcake Stop are Flatiron, on 5th avenue between 22nd & 23rd, Soho, Broadway and Spring, Upper East Side, Lexington & 87th, Midtown, 47th and 3rd.  See what day they are in your hood: http://www.cupcakestop.com/locations.html.  Please note though that this schedule is subject to change, so check the website before you go.   BONUS: Sometimes the truck moves to a new location at the end of the business day.  Astor place is one of their nighttime stops!

When: Everyday!  Usually starts between 8-9 a.m., and ends around 6 or 7 p.m., depending on when the cupcakes are gone.

Why: Because cupcakes are delicious.  And there is something about stumbling upon a truck that is selling cupcakes that feels better than going out of your way to travel to a popular bakery with a long line.

So the truck sells cupcakes.  Big whoop right?  No.  It is a big whoop.  First off - the Cupcake Stop sells 5 different flavors of cupcakes a day, out of 32 flavors!  And the truck is always taking recommendations for new flavors, and announcing new flavors!  The element of surprise makes this dessert truck a real treat.  In addition to standard flavors you know about, they sell "psychedelic tie dye," "fluffer nutter" "key lime," and SO MUCH MORE! 

Lets talk about my actual journey to the Cupcake Stop.  Of course, I follow Cupcake Stop on twitter.  I noticed that they were not too far from my home, and they frequently had special deals, like offering a free mini to the first 50 people who came to the stop.  I kept meaning to go.  Then, on Monday, I saw yet another Cupcake Stop twitter contest.  There would be five winners, and I won!  What did I win?  Two free full size cupcakes!  Great!

I made my journey yesterday.  I was so excited earlier in the week to see what the flavors would be.  The three flavors that stuck out to me were chocolate vanilla, red velvet, and funfetti.  Nothing makes me feel like a third grader than a funfetti cupcake.  Off I go, to Flatiron.  When I arrive at the truck, there is a nice sign indicating what cupcakes are being sold.   This sign is extremely helpful.  Why?  Because it makes it all a little less awkward.  Lets say you pass a restaurant.  There is usually a menu a sizeable distance from the host/hostess, and you can review the menu without committing to the restaurant.  Don't like what you see?  You move on.  Here - same concept.  The sign gives you a heads up of what is inside the truck.  Imagine standing in front of a truck, glaring at the inside contents, trying to decipher what is going on back there.  You would look weird, and people would judge you.

I picked funfetti and red velvet as my two free cupcakes of choice.  I also purchased a mini cupcake - chocolate and vanilla.  Mini cupcakes are $1 and full-size cupcakes are $2.50.  The person who gave me my cupcakes was very nice, and put them in a cupcake container.  SO COOL!!!

Look at that.  Gorgeous.  I loved the container.  What a great way to incentivize buyers to purchase a few for some friends, roommates, and co-workers.  And there is a nice Cupcake Stop sticker on the front!  The man asked me if I wanted a bag.  Why yes, I would love a bag.  Thank you.  I walked home and figured I should wait to have a cupcake until after I finished lunch.  Yea.  Right.

I had a bite of the mini cupcake first and it was amazing.  It had that "came out of the oven 1 minute before it was fully done" taste.  What taste is that? That is the cupcake melt in your mouth taste.  The mini was a perfect amount of chocolate.  At $1, I think it is a great chocolate purchase.  Then, I took a few bites of the funfetti, which was also great.

This is why I enjoyed the cupcakes

1.  The rim of the cupcake does not extend far out of the cupcake base (this sounds like a physics problem).  Sometimes cupcakes have a big rim like a muffin.  Then, you bite into it, and it falls apart a little bit because you do not bite down evenly.  Here, the cupcake maintains its fluffiness without falling apart.

2.  It tastes like a cupcake.  Not like a fancy over-the-top we used some secret ingredient good luck trying to replicate this deliciousness pretentious cupcake.  It tastes familiar.  And to boot, you did not have to bake it yourself, and you can get different kinds. 

3.  They are filling.  You know when eating just makes you want to eat more?  When eating has that "once you start, you can't stop" feeling?  1 cupcake and you will be full.

4.  They store well!!!  I had a few bites of the funfetti, and put it in the freezer for a day.  I let it sit out for a little before taking a few bites again just a few hours ago, and it was just as delicious!  So feel free to get a container of 4 cupcakes for $10.  You can have one with a friend one day, and enjoy the delectable treat again the next day.

Overall, I recommend going to the website and making it a point to go to Cupcake Stop.  It is so clear, especially if you follow them on twitter http://twitter.com/CupcakeStop, that the people running this cart are really happy bringing cupcakes to the fine residents of Manhattan.  They are so excited about cupcakes, that you cannot help but be excited about cupcakes too.  They do a lot to get new customers, which makes you feel like they want you to be there, not that you should be so lucky to be there.

Do it.

Have a delicious day!

NYCMenuGirl