390 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

For such a cheery place: pink exterior, quirky paintings on the windows, and an adorable name like Cupcakeland, I was expecting service with a big old goofy smile. Instead we were surprised with an unexpected aloofness, teetering on rudeness but, what difference does it make if the cupcakes are good, right?

Well, they are quite good and most importantly, not dry – which is often the biggest flaw of a cupcake. I had the coconut with creamy, tangy icing, Jim the cookie. The selection is great – from plain vanilla or chocolate to red velvet, peppermint ganache and carrot. Everyone will find something to take home in a little pink box.

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Posted on December 22, 2010

From Sage General Store, 24-20 Jackson Ave, Long Island City

On my way to the doctor, taking the awkward and on this day, cold outdoor transfer to the 7 train, I often wonder about the adorably hip, quaint Sage General Store, a new-ish shop that reeks of old timey goodness but with a staff of tattooed transplants serving mouth watering comfort foods.

Since yesterday was the first snow (OK, so it didn’t accumulate, but there were flakes) I was even more tempted by the handmade snoballs in the window (choice pink or white) and just had to take one home to split with Jim for dessert.

It’s a hefty dense white cake (probably made denser by my putting it in the fridge) with sugary, yummy frosting both in and outside and big chunks of coconut. To compare with the store bought, processed version is unfair. It’s an entirely different beast – and, for the record, I still have a soft spot for that weird Hostess puck, at least in memory since I haven’t had one in a while, but I do know that it is nowhere near as tasty as this hand made decadence.

The store features all sorts of sweet and savory goodies and will now be the highlight of that train route for me, beating out the one hundred steps it takes to get to the train.

See more: Desserts Baked Goods Bakeries Long Island City Shops

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Posted on December 7, 2010

Wonka Candy

The Everlasting Gobstopper is the stuff of sweet tooth kid dreams from the mind of Roald Dahl. In real life, it doesn’t last forever and it won’t be used to test your commitment to Willy Wonka but they are harder to find than one might think.

Thankfully, at least for a couple more days, I can pull the pregnancy craving card and spend several errand runs tracking some down.

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Posted on October 22, 2010

75 9th Avenue

If you really want to take your party to the next level, bust out a small army of cat head cupcakes! Shaun was awesome enough to pick these up from Ruthy’s – the bakery with all the wild cookie monster cakes at Chelsea Market. As a lover of icing and cats, there really is nothing better than this, though even me, with a monster sweet tooth had to eat one in two sittings. The head is full of an icing/cake mixture that is not for the faint of heart when it comes to sugar rushes. Seriously, these were the coolest party surprise ever. Ruthy’s can make custom ones to bring delight to your loved ones too even if they’re not cat ladies.

Click here for the rest of Cat Head Cupcakes from Ruthy’s Bakery

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Posted on August 29, 2010

158 Bedford Avenue

This delicious, moist slice of banana walnut bread is not the first baked good from El Beit, the gourmet Bedford Ave coffee shop, that has made my day. Another day offered a candied ginger version that was divine. I am pretty sure the breads are house made and they do tend to sell out, a hard fact I learned one day trying to get some much later in the day. I wish I could take home entire loaves.

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Posted on August 15, 2010