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Monday, February 10th
Magnolia Bakery has been around for over 25 years, offering baked goods of all kinds with old-fashioned recipes in small batches. From cakes to brownies or cookies to cupcakes, Magnolia Bakery has treats for every occasion. The company is based in the West Village of NYC where its red velvet cupcakes became an iconic treat for locals. Now, Magnolia Bakery ships across the US, sharing its specialized buttercream recipe with everyone.
Jump right into colorful cupcakes
Magnolia Bakery has a delightful browsing experience. You can easily find the cupcakes that are deliverable by clicking on the "Order Now” button. You can either shop by delivery date, or shop by treat, and cupcakes are fifth down the list. The cupcakes are sold in packs with photos of minis and full-size cupcakes. The listings include the cupcake name, a fun description (including all flavors offered in the pack), and the price. When you click through the individual cupcake packs, you'll find a full list of all ingredients, allergens, and any size options for the cupcakes (most come in a 12pc if you're opting for nationwide delivery).
15 packs of cupcakes but only 4 flavors
Magnolia Bakery offers 15 different packs of cupcakes, including holiday styles, birthday assortments, a "Best of New York” assortment, and their fan-favorite red velvet cupcakes. We saw around 4 flavors and noted most of the cupcakes were vanilla, chocolate, or a swirl of both. Other than the red velvet, there aren't a lot of unique cupcake flavors at Magnolia Bakery. You're looking more at buying the cute decorations, frosting, and sprinkles rather than cake flavors you've never tried before.
Pricing from $40 to $69 for shippable cupcakes
The pricing at Magnolia Bakery is reasonable, depending on what you grab. However, the listed prices are for the in-store pickup quantities (where you can order fewer cupcakes). For national delivery, you have to order a minimum number. So while it looks like the mini cupcakes range from $22 to $24, and the full-size cupcakes range from $24.90 to $55, the price range for those who reside outside of NYC is much higher. The Classic Mini Cupcake Assortment (24pc) is the lowest-cost mini cupcake pack for $40. The highest-priced option is the Holiday Candy Store Mini Cupcake Assortment (36pc) for $69. Birthday Cupcakes (12pc) come in at the lowest for the full size at $54, and the Winter Cupcakes (12pc) are the most expensive full size for $55. However, if you don't need holiday-themed decorations, you can easily get the same cupcakes for less at Magnolia Bakery.
Shipping costs around $35
Shipping is somewhat costly at Magnolia Bakery too. There was only one delivery option available for our area and we were quoted $35 for shipping and handling. This brought a $54 cupcake purchase up to $89 (over $90 if we added the optional shipping protection). You may be looking at a hefty bill for not a lot of special flavors or excitement when you shop with Magnolia Bakery.
Magnolia Bakery doesn't want to give you a refund
For any and all issues related to your order, Magnolia Bakery suggests that you contact their customer support email, and the FAQ states that every issue will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Magnolia Bakery considers cupcakes final sale, and they will not offer any refund for an order that's shipped nationwide. It also states there are no refunds for delays in shipping. If you hope for any kind of recourse, you'll need to email the support team within 5 days of your original purchase date with proof of purchase.
Mixed reviews and issues with flavor
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Magnolia Bakery's lackluster customer service policies, Magnolia Bakery currently holds a "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, customer reviews are minimal online with only 6 reviews on Trustpilot and 2 reviews on the BBB (both of which were 1 star). In general, complaints focus on issues with Magnolia Bakery's shipping. Customers were also "underwhelmed” by the flavor options and the final taste of the expensive cupcakes. There is some good news on Tripadvisor where Magnolia Bakery has the most reviews (and a 4-star average). Locals love the banana pudding specifically; however, there are plenty of complaints about the staff and about the cakes not tasting "special”.
A boring selection for most cupcake fans
If Magnolia Bakery is going to focus on simple flavors, they really need to knock it out of the park. According to reviews, this simply isn't the case. With high prices, mid-tier cupcake offerings, and a lackluster customer service policy, this bakery doesn't stand out among the pack. It may be worth a look if you're a huge fan of vanilla cupcakes (or you live in NYC), but for most cupcake fans, Magnolia Bakery won't be a first pick.
Whether you're thinking of throwing a birthday bash, looking for a way to make your wedding more unique, or looking for a sweet treat to satisfy you any time of the year, cupcakes are a great way to go. Cupcakes are the best of both worlds: all the care and love and sweetness of cake but in a personal-size commitment.
If you're looking for something that stands out from the pack (not your average grocery store cupcakes or something you have to make from a mix), your options used to be limited to local bakeries you could find in your area. Today, however, many modern bakeries offer delivery services online, so you can get cupcakes shipped from anywhere in the world right to your door.
The cupcake got its start in 1796 when Amelia Simmons put a "cake to bake in cups” in her cookbook, and according to research, cupcakes are among the top two favorite treats in the US (tied with cake). Unsurprisingly, Valentine's Day is one of the top holidays where cupcakes are a fan-favorite treat to give to your special someone. With the rise of options for dietary restrictions too (like a new trend of gluten-free cupcakes), cupcakes are still one of the most popular sweets to date.
Shipping cupcakes may sound difficult - trust us, we know the struggle of just trying to get cupcakes home from the grocery store without ruining the frosting - but these bakeries have it down to a science. Most bakeries that send cupcakes have special packaging, tried-and-true shipping methods, and expedited shipping times so that the cupcakes you order online are exactly what you see when they get to your door.
And there are tons of flavors to choose from. Whether you want a chocolate cupcake that beats your home-made box mix, a professionally made carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting, or unique flavors like tiramisu or funfetti, these bakeries offer a smorgasbord of flavors and designs to choose from. So, if you want to try every flavor out there, or hunt down a family favorite, choosing a bakery that offers delivery services is one of the best ways to expand your cupcake palate.
If you're ready to turn your home into a sweet-lover's dream, but don't know which bakery to choose, we've got you covered. Here are some factors that can help you get the best cupcakes online:
To help you find the best service to satisfy your cupcake cravings, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top cupcake delivery services out there today. So, what are you waiting for? From classic favorites to creative creamy frosting, you're sure to discover your next cupcake delight. Bon appetit!
Select any 2 Cupcake Delivery to compare them head to head