Magnolia Bakery Chicago is in the Block 37 shopping mall right off of State Street. It’s a hidden gem for tourists and locals alike. I went to Magnolia for the first time recently and not only were the baked goods delicious, but the entire experience is almost out of a fictional cupcake shop you’d see in a movie or TV show. It was so good that I went back to sample a few other treats the next day so I could share a good array of treats with you. Strictly journalism, had nothing to do with the delicious chocolate. ?
Magnolia Bakery’s Atmosphere
The shop employees are thee literal nicest people you will ever encounter. I may be a little biased, because I left my wallet complete with work ID, commuter card, debit card, etc. on their counter when I stopped to grab a glass of complimentary water, and the world’s friendliest employees held on to it until I could get it after work. Of course, when I came back were again super polite and sweet, which is absolutely refreshing when you’re that stressed.
Had to snap a picture of this sign they have inside. Surely it’s aimed at tourists who aren’t used to clutching their bags in downtown Chicago, but the irony wasn’t lost on me.
Magnolia Bakery Chicago’s Baked Goods
Magnolia’s menu is not only expansive, but rotating. These were the cupcakes available and tested on the days I was in the bakery.
The Chocolate Chicago Cupcake
The Chocolate Chicago Cupcake is a chocolate cake with a vanilla buttercream frosting (also sold in the opposite combo) topped with a chocolate ‘Chicago’ coin and edible glitter on top. It was absolutely delicious! My favorite part is the frosting, it’s the epitome of buttercream done right.
The Classic Red Velvet Cupcake
I’d be remiss to not try their take on a classic favorite, the Red Velvet Cupcake. Yesterday I got the mini red velvet and to be honest, both my coworker and I thought the cake was a bit dry. The frosting was still absolutely delicious, though! We chalked the dryness up to the cupcake being a mini, and perhaps they don’t stay as moist as their full-size counterparts, but that’s my amateur opinion.
I couldn’t leave things like that with one of my favorites, so when I went back, I got the regular size red velvet cupcake to compare notes. The frosting tasted even better than I remembered, and the cake was certainly not dry. It’s not the moistest cupcake I’ve ever had, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great texture for those who enjoy a slightly firmer cake.
The Truffle Cupcake
On Tuesdays in the Magnolia Chicago Bakery, they whip up a special Truffle Cupcake, which closely resembles the Hostess cupcakes you may have scarfed down as a kid like me. How do they stack up? As expected, these were much better. The cake is so much more rich, and the frosting is a delicious, rich chocolate. The inside even has cream filling! I got mine with vanilla filling, but you can also get it with chocolate. They’ll ask you for your preference when you’re ordering one.
The Double Fudge Brownie
Not a fan of cupcakes? They have a bunch of other baked goods too, including their Double Fudge Brownie. I tried one and it was pretty epic. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much I’d love it, because I’m really only a fan of very moist brownies, but this one was pretty delicious at a normal level of moist. I’d definitely recommend giving their double fudge brownie a try if you enjoy a chocolate, frosting-free treat. They also have Blondie bars and other flavors!
Magnolia Bakery Chicago’s Holiday Cupcakes
When my coworkers and I visited the bakery it was right around the holidays and they had several cute holiday themed cupcakes out.
The snowmen were definitely my favorite!
Comparing Magnolia to Other Bakeries
Their experience is bar-none the best, and their products are delicious as well. I’ve had a lot of cupcakes all across the country, and while I can’t say these were number one, they certainly finish top five.
You can find Magnolia Bakery Chicago online or on social media. Online ordering is also available on the website.
- Magnolia Chicago Website
- Daily Cupcakes
- Advanced Orders
- Find a Bakery
Will you stop in Magnolia Bakery on your next trip to Chicago? If so, you have to share what you got in the comments! I can never get enough cupcakes and want to hear how the entire menu is between tasting it and hearing your reviews. Plus, I need to know which cupcakes to try next!
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