Before I get to New York, I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day! I know half the world hates it, but like I told the kids at Camp – single or not,  it’s a perfect day to think about what you love about YOURSELF!

The Taster and I celebrated last night with an amazing dinner at Alma, one of our favorite restaurants in Minneapolis. Everything was utterly delicious, as usual.

Now to New York! My trip to New York City was successful, fun and very quick!

Wednesday morning I had a chance to bum around a bit, but I must admit, it was so cold that it was hard to be outside. Yes, I live in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever like the cold weather. So I walked around Times Square for a bit, stopped in for a bagel with lox cream cheese spread and then cabbed it to Columbus Circle.

A chewy, white flour, REAL New York Bagel is always a must. It was wonderful.

I found a nice mall (read warm) to walk around but decided to head back out, brave the elements and walk around Central Park. It’s not as charming in the Winter, in fact it reminds me a lot of Wisconsin…

Next up – I needed to head back indoors – was the Whole Foods Market Columbus Circle. It was a beautiful store.

Rows of fresh flowers, fish, colorful produce, and oh look! It’s French Meadow Bakery!

I could seriously live in this store.

Babycakes was the only real bakery we had time for and then it was time to prepare for the show. After a successful show, an amazing dinner at Hundred Acres with the PR ladies and a short night of sleep later; it was time to head home to the much quieter, much darker and much smaller city of Minneapolis.

But for those two days, I pretended I was a big city girl.

Babycakes is by far the most adorable bakery I’ve ever been to. It’s located on a quieter side street of bustling NYC, but there is nothing quiet about the inside.

It’s cozy and retro feeling, with the tiniest kitchen,  literally the size of my little kitchen at home.

But my kitchen has never seen so many tasty baked goods.

Babycakes specializes in – are you ready for it – vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, casein-free, egg-free, vegan and kosher baked goods. Most of them are also refined sugar-free and made with different flours like spelt, garbanzo, sorghum.

It may not sound appetizing to some, and you may be wondering what exactly they do use but trust me when I say that I doubt you would even notice that it wasn’t full of butter, sugar and white flour.

We sampled a number of their offerings: Spelt cupcake, GF Blueberry Crumbcake, GF Cupcakes, GF Brownie and a GF Pumpkin Loaf for the plane ride home.

Everything was beyond delicious. The Blueberry Crumbcake was probably my favorite, along with the frosting which you can also just get a shot of. Yes, I was tempted.

Babycakes has recently expanded to LA and Disney World, spreading allergen-free and vegan baking all over the US. I might have to squeeze in a visit to the LA location when I’m in town next month. I’m craving some GF, vegan crumbcake. And I never thought I’d be saying that.

Babycakes NYC

248 Broome Street (Btwn Orchard & Ludlow)
New York City, NY 10002

212.677.5047