Located in the heart of the big apple on a quiet street corner in Greenwich Village lies one of the hottest bakeries in the world today, Magnolia Bakery. First established in 1996, Magnolia Bakery has five establishments in NYC alone. They also have one establishment in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dubai, Beirut, Kuwait City, and in Doha.
Additionally, this world renowned bakery offers an amazing selection of cupcakes, brownies, cookies, gift packages, and merchandise nationwide through their online store ( store.magnoliabakery.com ). Their patrons often remark that coming to Magnolia is like “stepping into Grandma’s kitchen.” This fine sweet eatery bakes everything from scratch on the premises, in small batches throughout the day.
While many people visit Magnolia for their cupcakes, they offer over 120 varieties of classic American desserts. These desserts include everything from cakes and pies to cheesecakes and cookies to brownies and icebox desserts and our famous banana pudding (which you must try) In addition to their baked goods; Magnolia Bakery is world renowned for their vintage decor and warm yet inviting atmosphere.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Sara Gramling who is VP of PR for Magnolia Bakery. Here is what she had to say…
(Q:) Behind every great project, behind every great establishment lies a source of influence, a source of inspiration. I have to ask, what was the source of inspiration to create Magnolia Bakery?
Magnolia Bakery opened on a quiet street corner in Greenwich Village and quickly became a favorite in the neighborhood for its freshly baked, classic, American desserts. Many of the recipes used were passed on from generations of bakers. Today, we continue in that tradition and are inspired by recipes from our great-great-grandmothers and beyond. We bake everything from scratch at all our location each and every day.
(Q:) You have a Magnolia Bakery in New York City, Los Angeles, and in Chicago. Do you have any plans to expand the franchise? Perhaps in Miami or San Francisco or Pittsburgh or Dallas or any other major city?We do! We are currently expanding internationally and recently opened stores in Kuwait, in Lebanon, and in Doha. We do have plans to open more stores in the U.S. as well.
(Q:) That is wonderful news. I have to say…you have everything from PB&J; (or Peanut Butter & Jelly) cupcakes to Red Velvet cupcakes, and much more. What seems to be the most popular at Magnolia Bakery?Our most popular cupcake flavors are our vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and our red velvet cupcakes. Plus, our banana pudding is a must try item in the bakery!
(Q:) Sounds absolutely delicious. I love that you have a monthly calendar that offers various flavors. You also include two different cupcake flavors a day. Like on Thursday of January, you offer a Pistachio cupcake and then on Friday you offer a Hummingbird cupcake. Does this change monthly?
Yes, every month we offer daily cupcake specials. You can find the cupcake calendar online ( http://www.magnoliabakery.com/daily-cupcakes ) and in stores. Check back for our new monthly cupcake calendar at the beginning of each month.
(Q:) That is what sets you apart from other bakeries. I also noticed that you have a “Flavor of the Month” which provides cupcake lovers with something special that is currently not listed on the menu. Your current flavor is caramel. Tell me a little more about the flavor of the month…
Like our daily cupcake specials, we rotate special flavors regularly. For example, in December our “flavor of the month” is gingerbread – we offer a gingerbread cupcake and gingersnaps and in April, the flavor of the month is Lemon (it’s national lemon month).
(Q:) When life gives you lemons, made a cupcake. I love lemons. I have to ask, out of the many flavors and choices available at Magnolia Bakery, which one is your favorite?
I am very partial to anything pumpkin-flavored, so my favorite cupcake is the pumpkin pecan. But I wouldn’t say no to anything peanut butter flavored…
(Q:) Sounds absolutely delicious. I know you cannot give away secrets, but in your opinion…what makes a cupcake amazing? Does the perfect cupcake exist?The perfect cupcake can be different for everyone. We offer over 20 varieties of cupcake flavors, so we hope everyone can find something they love on our list! Cupcakes are the perfect indulgence – they’re your own personal cake and you can choose any flavor that you want!
(Q:) Flourless cupcakes are garnering popularity and I noticed that you offer flourless cupcakes. What flavors do you offer the flourless cupcakes in?We offer rich, fudgy flourless chocolate cupcakes that can be topped with a variety of icings (peanut butter buttercream, vanilla meringue buttercream, caramel cream cheese icing, and more).
(Q:) Is there a big difference in taste when it comes to a regular cupcake with flour to a flourless cupcake that possesses no flour? The biggest difference is in the texture – our flourless chocolate cupcake is a bit denser. The taste is the perfect rich, chocolaty bite!
(Q:) Sounds absolutely delicious. I noticed that Magnolia has a lot of great features for customers. I also noticed that you have a special incentive for customers called the “Cupcake Club”. Tell me a little more about it…
We offer our cupcake club through our online store ( store.magnoliabakery.com ). Our cupcake club makes a great gift and is available with 6 or 12 cupcakes a month. With a dozen cupcakes, 3, 6, and 9-month memberships include our signature tin and eco tote bag; a 12-month membership includes our tin, tote, Magnolia cookbook and a $25 gift card. Sweet!
(Q:) That is sweet! Do you cater or offer any kind of catering services? Yes! No event is too large or too small for Magnolia Bakery. Patrons can choose from a wide range of catering services, including our beautiful and versatile dessert tables, customized edible image cupcakes, cupcake trees, brownie and bar platters and personalized favors.
We also offer cupcake decorating and icing demonstration tables to delight and entertain your guests. We bring the cupcakes, icing, and sprinkles and our expert icers demonstrate our signature swirl. You can find out more about catering services here: http://www.magnoliabakery.com/catering or email events@magnoliabakery.com .
(Q:) That sounds like a lot of fun. Do you have any plans to offer a delivery service to your customers?
We offer local delivery within New York, Chicago, and L.A. areas. To place a local delivery order, call – 1.855.MBAKERY. We also offer nationwide shipping through our online store ( store.magnoliabakery.com ).
(Q:) It is truly wonderful that you offer a delivery service to your customers. Other than cupcakes, what other delicious baked goods does Magnolia Bakery offer?
We offer over 120 varieties of baked goods which include cakes, pies, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies, icebox desserts, our famous banana pudding, and more!
(Q:) I am getting hungry just thinking about it. Now I want Magnolia Bakery. I have to ask…what is your favorite?
I’ll never turn down a slice of pumpkin spice cake.
(Q:) YUM! Now I must ask…for everyone reading this interview, what would you like those people to know about Magnolia Bakery?
Magnolia Bakery bakes everything from scratch on the premises in small batches throughout the day. If you’re not able to visit us, we can ship some of our favorite items right to your doorstep. You can shop our online store at: store.magnoliabakery.com .
