“For just very good, classic cake (e.g. not spectacular flavors, not a zillion layers, not fancy designs, just, simple good cake) I really, really like Empire Cake.”
H3
All 140 rated mentions, most helpful first
“For just very good, classic cake (e.g. not spectacular flavors, not a zillion layers, not fancy designs, just, simple good cake) I really, really like Empire Cake.”
H3
“They make great cakes in general, but they have something close to what you want: Liliko'i (Passion Fruit): Vanilla crème fraîche cake layered with passion fruit curd and frosted with a light coconut Swiss meringue buttercream.”
H3
“I really love Empire Cakes - it is classic American style cake (sugar, buttercream), but they use creme fraiche in the cake base, which gives it a bit of tang and depth of flavor different from standard just sweet.”
H3
“For any standard American style cake (e.g. dense butter cake, buttercream frosting) Empire Cake does these classics soooo well. For the vanilla cake bases they use crème fraîche which gives it this extra special depth of flavor, but their chocolate ones are just as fantastic.”
H3
“I love it, and think it balances well, but, the ganache is pretty intense, so that might be sweeter than you are looking for.”
H3
“Empire Cake is the best classic American style cake/cupcakes around for sure! I love how they use creme fraiche in the base cake to give it a touch of tang, and their buttercream is just perfect.”
H3
“I adore Empire Cake and it seems so rarely mentioned. When it comes to classic American style high butter/sugar (but not cloying sweet) buttercream cakes/cupcakes ... they are the best I've ever had.”
H3
“Empire Cakes makes my favorite basic American style cakes (dense moist cake, great buttercream, sweet but not cloying).”
H3
“I adore all of their other cakes (really classic American style cakes, incredible buttercream, moist cake with good crumb structure, etc, etc).”
H3
“My favorite traditional birthday cake in the city is Empire Cake, but not super close to Bryant Park. They nail the buttercream + moist cake + perfect ratios though.”
H3
“Empire Cake! They make my favorite traditional American style cakes (dense, high sugar and butter content, buttercream), and they do tons of custom work (ranging from basic image printing to full 3D masterpieces).”
H3
“My standard answer for any classic American style cake, but they do it just sooo well.”
H3
“They screwed up my kid's cake. Gave her a plain white frosted one even though we asked for flowers and such. No one would admit the error and no one would write a quick happy birthday, or refund me for the difference. Not a fan.”
H3
“I adore their cakes. Simple, but they nail them every time. Slight tang to the base from creme fraiche, amazing buttercream.”
H3
“Definitely my favorite place for cakes - even the simple vanilla-vanilla is the best I've had”
H3
“Empire Cake!!!! Their version is SOOOO good!!!! Moist, deeply chocolately, yet somehow light chocolate cake.”
H3
“they do the fanciest-ass versions of rainbow cookies and black-and-whites I've ever had. Don't sleep on their snackcakes, either. The Brooklyn Blackout withe the chocolate pudding inside is killer.”
H2
“Empire Cake has the best Brooklyn Blackout”
H2
“i love empire cake for their snack cakes (an alternative to cupcakes but they also sell cupcakes). their black and white cookie is good too.”
H2
“I really love all of the red velvet options at Empire Cake. And just everything they make 😂”
H2
“Empire Cake on 8th Ave has these amazing cakes dipped in chocolate. Their swiss roll is my favorite.”
H2
“LITERALLY at one point I ordered a full quarter-sheet of their rainbow cookies (the chocolate they use on them is SO good) and have them frozen in a slab in my chest freezer for when I need to show up with a dessert to a party.”
H2
“I will third. Empire’s black and white cookies are my favorites too”
H2
“Empire Cake in Manhattan has some good slice of the day cakes also. Their chocolate cake hits the spot.”
H2
“I love Empire Cakes for classic American style sweet buttercream cakes.”
H2
“Empire Cake does my favorite American style buttercream cakes. I adore them all.”
H2
“Black and whites and snack cakes from Empire Cake”
H2
“One of my favorite bakeries that sells mini snack cakes is Empire Bakery.”
H2
“Empire Cakes makes a good one.”
H2
“Empire Cakes for b&w cookies, and their homemade Twinkie cakes especially when they have the lemon or passionfruit filled ones”
H2
“Omg if you go, get the black and white cookies as well. They are incredible”
H2
“The Twix bars are also excellent!”
H2
“Empire Cake is the place. They are a top cake bakery.”
H2
“Empire cake makes the best traditional b&w”
H2
“The sno-balls and the Swiss rolls! I dream of them.”
H2
“despite their namesake, their red velvet also slaps”
H2
“For any classic American cake, they are top tier. I love their buttercream frostings too.”
H2
“Empire cake is SO good. Both flavor and their gorgeous custom design. I get an empire cake for my own birthday every single year.”
H2
“Get cupcakes at empire cake”
H2
“+1 for empire cake! I get my bday cake there every year.”
H2
“yes! i love empire cake’s snack cakes. i don’t know why they aren’t more popular. my favorites are the passionfruit or lemon and brooklyn blackout.”
H2
“Empire Cakes. Brooklyn Blackout cake”
H2
“Empire Cake has the best vanilla cupcakes.”
H2
“Don’t miss out on their other stuff- their mini snack cakes, homemade snowballs, homemade Twix bars, even their cookie sandwiches are all amazing.”
H2
“empire cake is so good…seasonal snacks cakes!”
H2
“Definitely DEFINITELYYYYYY get Italian rainbow cookies from Empire Cake. SO good.”
H2
“Their regular cakes are good too (shoutout pistachio and Liz Lemon) but the snack cakes are great.”
H2
“Empire Cake - any of their dipped cake snacks”
H2
“I've been using them for over a decade of birthday cakes. they always come through”
H2
“Empire is fantastic. I leave with about 10 of their snack cakes, the ones similar to Twinkies excepted chocolate covered.”
H2