Doughboy is one week old!

I’ve long been a fan of Alison Nelson’s. But my respect went up a notch when she added to her chocolate franchise a West Village bakery. And named it Doughboy.

Open since last Sunday it’s a bright and cheerful spot on Hudson with a welcome selection of the homeiest treats.


Cookies, muffins and brownies…


…cupcakes galore…




…and breads and cakes…


Torn between a pumpkin cupcake (’tis the season!) and the last slice of the peanut butter poundcake, the lovelies behind the counter didn’t deliberate for even a second. The poundcake, they directed.

I imagined the moistness of poundcake and the moistness of peanut butter would mean a doubly rich and savory cake.

But in reality, it was ethereally light. Almost angel foodcake light. With mere hints of peanut butter.

Good. But I think I’ll be going back for the pumpkin cupcake.

Butter me up

The East Village is where it’s at. (Lucky me.)

Right on the heels of Momofuku’s debut, Butter Lane opened two weeks ago. It does cupcakes, just cupcakes, and they’re the best cupcakes I’ve had in an awful long time.

This place is small and simple and yet manages to have style (see wallpaper below – love it).

The staff is superfriendly and happy. And nice little touches abound. Go ahead, do a taste test! American and French buttercream samples are there for the licking so you can taste how French buttercream, with pure cane sugar and egg whites, is impossibly light and airy, while its American counterpart, made with confectioner’s sugar, is a little thicker, heavier and creamier. They’re both delicious.

There are four special flavors in addition to the standard chocolate and vanilla. Bennie and I sampled almost all of them, including chocolate on chocolate, blueberry, pumpkin, and banana with cream cheese frosting. Oh. My. Goodness. They’re amazing.

The basement kitchen is where the bakers spin the pure ingredients—like farm fresh eggs, organic butter and vanilla bean—into the incredibly fresh treats. The cupcakes are modestly sized, soft and springy, sweet and delicious. They melt on your tongue. Did I mention how delicious they are??

123 Seventh Street between First and A
212.677.2880

5 best (boo!) pumpkin treats

If you don't want to stuff your gullet with candy corn and mini Snickers this Halloween, get in on these rich, spiced baked goods.

Pumpkin cupcakes at Amai and Batch:
You can't go wrong with either Kelli or Pichet's elegant recipes.

Pumpkin scone at Alice's Tea Cup:
The sisters usher in autumn with their caramel-glazed moistest scone.

Pumpkin pie at City Bakery:
A rich and spiced slice from a man who knows his pies and tarts.

Pumpkin cheesecake bar at Baked:
Creamy, savory, heavenly.

Pumpkin custard at Dessert Truck:
Topped with maple syrup, marshmallows and caramelized pecans. Enough said.