Molly’s Cupcakes
WHAT: Molly’s Cupcakes
WHERE: 2536 N. Clark St.
OUR RATING: Do It!
(mollyscupcakes.com)
There’s something special about cupcakes (and especially on Valentine’s Day). We’re not entirely sure what it is, but perhaps the endless varieties, crazy colours and fluffy toppings have something to do with it. Eating a cupcake is a little like regressing to childhood: they’re always a bit messy, sweetly succulent and seem quite silly. Add a swing set to the bar and you have the recipe for a unique bakeshop that makes a great play date or date night, depending on your age. It makes for a fabulous treat this Valentine’s, so why not stop over.
(virtualtourist.com)
Adam: I really love Molly’s. It has a simplicity that makes it quite charming and cupcakes that you just can’t say no to. We had walked past several times, but had never seen the swing set along the bar available. Then, bingo! We got our chance, ordered two of the filled cupcakes ($3.75) and swung on our swings by the bar.
I chose the Ron Bennington, named after the radio personality and comedian. It’s Molly’s best selling cupcake and we thought it wise to try the one everyone raved about. Consisting of a chocolate cupcake, topped with chocolate frosting and butterscotch pieces, and filled with peanut butter, it was the richest thing I’d had all day. What works about it though is the combination of flavours, with the peanut butter centering the whole dish around a buttery and nutty theme. Make sure you have water handy though, because this one packs a punch to the tastebuds.
(mollyscupcakes.com)
Molly’s Cupcakes also serves a variety of other cupcake sizes and types: minis ($1) and molly’s unfilled ($2), along with other baked goods including cakes, cookies, bars, pies and even cheesecake (including pumpkin caramel!). But I’d recommended the filled cupcakes as the best thing on the menu–they are simple, yet indulgent, and are sure to make you want more.
(mollyscupcakes.com)
Alicia: I pass by Molly’s in Lincoln Park everyday on my way to work and eye the trays full of freshly baked cupcakes that cover the bar as I walk on by. I had heard so much about their cupcakes but I wasn’t sure…they seemed a bit pricey and small compared to Crumbs’ cupcakes, which I am a huge fan of. But all the hype and the quaint playfulness of their store ultimately drew me in, and I would definitely return!
It was obvious that I was getting in on Adam’s Ron Bennington, so I thought I’d choose something to cut all that richness and chocolate. As soon as I saw the mound of homemade whipped cream with the delicate slice of peach on top, I knew I wanted the Peach Cobbler. Vanilla cake might sound a bit drab, but when you fill it with cinnamon peach puree and top it with brown sugar streusel, you have a perfect mouthful. And if you enjoy the likes of apple pie, this offers a really interesting alternative, especially since I find peaches a rather underutilized fruit.
What really makes this cupcake is the homemade whipped cream that cuts into the sweetness of the puree. The streusel was slightly disappointing in that it didn’t provide as much crunch as I would have liked, but I’m sure that’s because we visited Molly’s later in the day and the cupcake wasn’t as fresh as it would have been in the morning. Nonetheless, I found the flavors complex, but comforting, and a great compliment to the richness of Adam’s cupcake.
Final Thoughts: Snag a seat on the swing set and take a whimsical journey with cupcakes Willy Wonka would be proud of. And don’t forget the sprinkles!