Magnolia Bakery

NYC’s Magnolia Bakery entered the American zeitgeist twice, first in 2001 when its storefront served as a Sex and the City backdrop while key characters ate cute cupcakes, then again in 2005 when SNL’s iconic 2005 Digital Short Lazy Sunday called out its cupcakes’ “bomb frostings” by name. Soon thereafter, its simple but incomparably delicious banana pudding recipe became famous, too.

After a brief burst of expansion, which included the 2010 opening of a Los Angeles location, Magnolia’s footprint stopped growing. Blame any one or a baker’s dozen of Magnolia’s rivals, which appeared out of nowhere to capitalize on increased demand for cupcakes, and killed the fad with oversaturation.

Thankfully, Magnolia’s still around, and hasn’t changed much: It has tripled down on its classic cupcakes, “ice box cakes” made with cookies and cream, new banana puddings, and cake flavors. One loaded ice box variant goes beyond Oreo-like chocolate wafers and cream with cake and gooey caramel, while hummingbird cake, pistachio cake, and blueberry bars pop with actual fruits and nuts. If anything, Magnolia’s offering better desserts today than ever before.