This store is not unlike the act of baking itself - slightly messy, occasionally overwhelming, but ultimately satisfying in the sweetest way.
On our last visit, we overheard the following conversation:
Woman 1: "Do you see anything?"
Woman 2: "I see everything!"
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
A sign on the door reads, "No Strollers," which could be because there are wonky piles of containers with sprinkles, sugar flowers, and shiny dragees just waiting to be toppled. Or, perhaps the owners know that kids being wheeled past SpongeBob-shaped pans and Dora cake toppers is a recipe for a why-can't-I-have-that disaster. Parents may want to shop for birthday party supplies solo.
For the rest of us bakers, New York Cake & Baking is a one-stop shop for supplies that aren't always easy to find. There are pastry tips and fondant icing for making more detailed desserts, racks of copper cookie cutters, and blocks of Valrhona chocolate. At times, shopping can feel like picking through a flea market. There are the great finds, such as stacks of tiny loaf pans, and then there are the scary things you're sure have been in someone's attic - like dusty, paint bucket-sized tubs of buttercream frosting.
We love the professional-quality bakeware from Wilton, although the store's no-frills atmosphere shouldn't fool you into thinking things are cheap. We paid $15 for a simple rimmed baking sheet, which is certainly not a steal. But we do know that Martha Stewart staffers shop there. And their cakes tend to turn out pretty well.
If you don't live in New York, the store has a website, but you have to call or fax to place an order.
This is by Elizabeth, who is up for one of our new writer positions. Welcome Elizabeth!
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
I love this store and I'm so glad to see it on the site. I make a trip almost every time I go to New York. Last time I was there I picked the perfect princess crown cookie cutter for a niece's birthday party and a martini glass cookie cutter for an Oscar party. It's very fun even if it can be a little overwhelming.
view HallieB's profile
They have stores like this? Who would have thought anyone does anything beyond Duncan Hines?
view peanuttyxx's profile
Ugh - I have such a love/hate relationship with this store. The people who work there are mean and for the most part you can get better prices elsewhere, especially for Wilton (Michael's and/or Joann Fabrics). BUT - as a baker I love that they have every and anything you'd possibly need, so I'm torn.
view mangosteen's profile
This place makes me so, so happy. I love that places like this exist--very overwhelming but worth it in my opinion!
view Cakespy's profile
Crazy ... we were JUST talking about this place. It's great to find everything all in one place, but yes ... be prepared to spend. I have easily spent at least $75 each time I've gone there and most of the time it's just on sprinkles or icing.
There's so many cute things that it's easy to get caught up in the impulse buying on the way to the register, but beware ... they don't do returns, so make sure you really, really want that guitar-shaped cake pan before you buy it!
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
I agree with mangosteen - the owners and staff are RUDE, but they do have so many things there that it's hard to attempt to not go there. I don't live in NYC anymore so I don't waste as much money there anymore...until I return for my tri-monthly visit and spend too much money on chocolate, luster dusts, and other things I really don't need!
view raspberry eggplant's profile
i love this store!!!
view eks's profile
the store is like bakery porn. (yes, most of the people who work there are crabby and less than helpful, but they have EVERYTHING -- including tons of stuff you didn't even know you needed/wanted.)
view ee's profile
I just admire a store that has the, um, truffles, to hang a No Stroller sign in this age of "I'm propagating the race!" stroller entitlement. I love babies but do not want them in my baked good supplies. Or my kitchen. I also don't want my neighbors' labradors in my laundry room, but that's another story.
view engage's profile
I used to live down the bock from this store! It is insane, inspiring, intimidating, and downright good. A trip there usually ended in me baking cupcakes for my boyfriend or niece--and eating most of them myself.
view elamont's profile