TLDR
Expertly crafted American-style cakes featuring a signature crème fraîche base and elevated versions of NYC classic cookies. A go-to for custom cakes, wedding testers, and standout treats.
Details
Renowned for its masterfully executed classic American-style cakes, this bakery uses a signature crème fraîche base to achieve a moist, perfectly balanced crumb [1]. Patrons love the elevated takes on NYC staples like black-and-white cookies and rainbow cookies, along with unique snack cakes like the Brooklyn Blackout [2]. The shop is a preferred destination for custom cakes and weddings, with the added convenience of offering slices as testers [3].
Food Overview
The bakery specializes in American-style cakes known for being dense, moist, and finished with high-quality buttercream [1]. Customer favorites include the Brooklyn Blackout snack cake, elevated black-and-white cookies, and specific flavor profiles like the 'Liz Lemon' or 'Raspberry Lemon' cakes [2], [5]. While most praise the standard menu, the bakery is also highly regarded for its ability to provide nearly identical, high-quality gluten-free cake and cupcake options [4].
Caveats
While the bakery is highly rated, one visitor noted that it is located quite far from the Koreatown area [6].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About EMPIRE CAKE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Looking For Gluten Free Cakesdesserts That Are
"The commenter recommends their gluten-free items, noting that they are very close in quality to their regular, delicious gluten-containing cakes."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Cupcakes In Ktown Or Soho For Today
"The commenter notes that the shop is great."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Cupcakes In Ktown Or Soho For Today
"Mentioned as a bakery option, though noted as being far from Koreatown."
PositiveFrom post: Anyone Know Any Gluten Free Cakes And Desert
"Empire Cakes is noted for doing pretty good gluten-free cakes, as well as excellent gluten-full American-style cakes. They handle many weddings and custom cake orders."
PositiveFrom post: Yellow Cake With Chocolate Frosting
"This user agrees with the recommendation for Empire Cakes."
PositiveFrom post: Yellow Cake With Chocolate Frosting
"This user recommends Empire Cakes, stating it's their go-to for classic American-style cakes and they execute them very well."
PositiveFrom post: Light Lemon Cake
"This commenter reiterates that Empire Cakes is their favorite place for cakes, praising even their simple vanilla-vanilla as the best due to the crème fraiche base which adds a special touch."
PositiveFrom post: Light Lemon Cake
"The commenter agrees that Empire Cakes are their favorite bakery in the city."
PositiveFrom post: Light Lemon Cake
"The commenter loves Empire Cakes in general for American-style cakes and highlights two specific lemon cake options: Raspberry Lemon and Liz Lemon. They inquire if the user was looking for a lemon-flavored cake itself or just a lemon filling."
PositiveFrom post: Cake Slice Rec
"This user recommended Empire Cakes, describing their cake as classic American style but with crème fraîche in the base for a slight tang and depth. They found it less sweet than other popular options."
PositiveFrom post: Red Velvet
"The author enjoys Empire Cakes for their basic American style cakes, describing them as dense, moist, with a great, sweet but not cloying buttercream. They also mentioned that the bakery offers red velvet, though they are unsure if they have personally tried it, but have not had any disappointing items from them."
PositiveFrom post: Birthday Dinner In Nyc Italianamerican Recs
"Empire Cakes was recommended for their classic American-style buttercream cakes, which are also available as cupcakes or slices."
PositiveFrom post: Rich Doublechocolate Cookies With White Cream In
"Empire Cakes is suggested as a place that likely has whoopie pies, which are similar to the dessert the original poster is looking for."
NeutralFrom post: What To Bring The Family From Nyc
"This user shares their habit of taking home leftover cake from Empire Cake, freezing it for future enjoyment."
PositiveFrom post: What To Bring The Family From Nyc
"This user describes ordering a full quarter-sheet of Empire Cake's rainbow cookies and freezing them, and also buys birthday cakes from there for loved ones."
PositiveFrom post: What To Bring The Family From Nyc
"This user agrees that Empire Cake is excellent for classic American-style buttercream cakes and cupcakes, and notes that their cakes freeze well."
PositiveFrom post: What To Bring The Family From Nyc
"This user recommends Empire Cake for their fancy versions of NYC classics like rainbow cookies and black-and-white cookies, also praising their snackcakes, particularly the Brooklyn Blackout."
PositiveFrom post: Best Midtown Bakeriescafes
"Empire Cake is recommended, and the user particularly enjoyed their Swiss rolls dipped in dark chocolate. The bakery has locations in Chelsea and Greenwich Village."
PositiveFrom post: Where To Find Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Glaze
"This user suggested Empire Cake as a place that might have the specific type of vanilla cake with chocolate glaze the original poster was looking for."
NeutralFrom post: Where To Find A White Cake With Lemon And
"Responding to a query about frosting, this user suggests that Empire Cakes could potentially customize their vanilla cake with lemon filling to have regular buttercream instead of raspberry, and could offer this as cupcakes or a 6" cake."
Positive