Cupcakes by Baked by Melissa.

I’m all for mini-sweets. I like the fact that you’re ingesting fewer calories. I like the way you can pop one in your mouth on the run.

Baked by Melissa, a mini-sweets pioneer with her one-bite cupcakes, opened last week on the Upper West Side at 2325 Broadway between 84th and 85th. The place is all sleekness—floor-to-ceiling glass windows adorn the storefront, and inside, a long modish counter displays cupcakes like precious works of art.

Behind the counter are ranged chirpy teens who volunteer their favorite flavors. “Peanut butter,” said one. The other pushed the flavor of the day, Chocolate Caramel Cone.

I chose Red Velvet. The cake was moist and tender, just about perfect. The icing, however, was super sweet.  Magnolia Bakery, housed just a few blocks away on Columbus Avenue, is tops on the sugar scale when it comes to overly-sweet cupcakes.  Still, Melissa’s weren’t far behind.

Baked by Melissa

Various branches citywide

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Photo: Rockette Red Velvet Cupcakes, courtesy Magnolia Bakery

will be featuring the special showgirl-embossed cupcakes for the second year in a row at its Rockefeller Center locale during the annual Radio City Christmas Show running from Nov. 17-Dec. 31.

For years, tourists have flocked to Magnolia’s West Village location.  The bakery’s burst of fame came after it played a bit part in the hit television series, Sex in the City.  More recently, Magnolia opened up an Upper West Side branch on Columbus Ave. and 69th Street. Though Upper West Side customers will be able to purchase Magnolia’s regular red velvet cupcakes, the special tourist-friendly Rockette variety will only be sold at the Rockefeller Center locale.

Fashioned from red velvet cake and a whipped vanilla butter cream icing, the Rockette cupcakes will be sold during the Christmas Show’s entire run. Each cupcake is adorned with a dark chocolate medallion, imprinted with an image of a dancing Rockette. Customers who purchase one of the treats ($3.50), will get a discount voucher to be used against a Radio City Christmas show ticket.

Magnolia Bakery

Rockefeller Center
1240 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
212 767 1123

Upper West Side Location
200 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY
212 724 8101

West Village Location
401 Bleecker Street
New York, NY
212 462 2572

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1. Upper West Side: Magnolia Bakery.. .Without the Cupcakes
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3. Cupcakes: Baked by Melissa Lands on the Upper West Side