Molly's Cupcakes opened in Iowa City this week.
On opening day at Molly’s Cupcakes — a franchise with locations in Chicago and New York City — we had expected long lines out the door at the newest downtown Iowa City bakery. And we weren’t wrong.
Service was remarkably fast, though. Employees were eager to suggest flavors to fit for indecisive customer’s cravings. And, choosing was a challenge.
The sit-down bakery, which opened July 29, offers cupcakes made from scratch in an array of flavors, including vanilla, cake batter, strawberry shortcake, red velvet and peach cobbler. There are vegan cake and frosting options as well. But the options don’t stop there. Customers can also build their own creations with four classic flavors of cake, fillings and icing. Visit the sprinkle station to decorate your creation with colorful finishing touches.
Cupcakes range in cost from $1 for a mini to $3 for one with filling. Most are $2. Molly’s also offers baked goods including mini-cheesecakes, cookies and brownies, as well as hot and iced coffee drinks, milk, juice and chai. To-go boxes are available and the store is hoping to begin offering catering services soon. Delivery can be made within a 15-mile radius within a day in advance with a $7 delivery fee.
The details
- Molly’s Cupcakes is located at 14 S. Clinton St. in Iowa City. icmollys.com
We opted to order the Boston cream, red velvet, hawkeye, Ron Bennington and a mini carrot cake. Each elaborate cupcake featured decorative, colorful layers of frosting and signature toppings including roasted peanuts, butterscotch chips and real fruit slices. But these cakes aren’t just pretty. Each bite was light, airy and moist. A fork is almost a necessity. Some cakes were rich depending on toppings, frosting and cake flavors.
The space itself is intimate, brightly lit and whimsical with swings, school desktop tables, bar stools, a large counter window seat and board games.
— Quentin Misiag
