URBAN DAILY REPORT SPECIAL -- BEST CUPCAKES IN TOWN

Maybe it's a little silly, but New Yorkers love their cupcakes. Did we love them before the Sex in the City girls started heading to Magnolia Bakery? We don't know. Like most of you, we didn't live here back then. But either way, the little bite-size pastel cakes are here to stay. And if you're going to indulge, you might as well go for the good stuff. So next time you're looking for a sugar kick, head to one of our favorites. You won't be disappointed.
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(OUR FAVORITE) NEIGHBORHOOD CUPCAKE SPOTS

BILLY'S BAKERY -- CHELSEA (9th Ave. b/w 21st & 22nd Sts.)
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Our Take: Our favorite cupcakes in NYC. Billy's is going for the nostalgia of the classic American kitchen and we're loving it. The cupcakes are moist with just the right amount of sugary frosting. Billy's is open late, so it's a great post-dinner stop. And they've got a couple small tables inside so you can hang out and take in all the pure sugary goodness of it all.

Beyond cupcakes? The Icebox Cake is light and amazing.

Details: Open Sun to Thurs 9am-11pm; Fri & Sat 9am-midnight. Cupcakes $1.75 each.

SUGAR SWEET SUNSHINE -- LES (Rivington. b/w Essex & Norfolk Sts.)
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Our Take: A close runner up for our cupcake affections. The sugary sweet smell of the place will put a smile on your face and make you want to stick around. And the mish-mosh of comfy chairs and small tables seals the deal. They go beyond just the standard chocolate & vanilla combos with flavors like red velvet, pistachio, lemon & coconut. Absolutely delicious.

Beyond cupcakes? They've got tons of good stuff, but the cupcakes are so good, we haven't gotten to it yet.

Details: Open Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm; Fri 8-11pm; Sat 10-11pm; Sun 10-7pm. Cupcakes $1.50 each.

OUT OF THE KITCHEN -- TRIBECA (Hudson St. @ Barrow St.)
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Our Take: The only spot on our list that goes beyond sweet bakery offerings. This place has full menus from breakfast to dinner, but this is the cupcake list so that's all we're going to say about that. The style of the cupcakes here, with a bit firmer cake, is a little different than our other two picks, but just as good. Each freshly baked cupcake is topped off with big scoops of either chocolate or vanilla frosting. There's only one small table, so you won't always be able to stick around.

Beyond cupcakes? The sugar cookies with lemon frosting are perfect.

Details: Open Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm; Fri 8-11pm; Sat 10-11pm; Sun 10-7pm. Cupcakes $1.50 each.

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[Ed. Note: Special Reports cover a lot of ground, so when we do them, they'll be the only weekday report for the week. The next UrbanDailyReport will be the Weekend Edition this Friday.]