At Sugar Sweet Sunshine, a cozy Lower East Side bakery, you’ll find classic cupcakes, cookies, and beloved banana pudding that bring a taste of nostalgia.
"You aren’t going to be one of those people that learns how to bake beautiful cakes during quarantine, it’s simply not your style. Luckily both locations of Sugar Sweet Sunshine on the LES are delivering cakes and other pastries all over lower Manhattan. You can place your order for cupcakes, puddings (their banana one is excellent), and whole cakes online." - hannah albertine
"There is no way you’re baking a f*cking cake for your own birthday, so it’s possible you’re reading this in search of dessert ideas. Both locations of Sugar Sweet Sunshine on the LES are delivering cakes and other pastries all over lower Manhattan. You can place your order for cupcakes, puddings (their banana one is excellent), and whole cakes online." - hannah albertine
"Sugar Sweet Sunshine has been on the LES since 2002, and they take a classic yet cheeky approach to the humble cupcake. The shop is small, with just one table tucked in the front window, so plan to grab and go. You’re not going to find wild flavors or outlandish toppings here, but their simple menu is filled with personality. Take, for example, the Holla Back Girl, a super moist banana cake with a tart cream cheese frosting. Sugar Sweet Sunshine’s cupcakes are incredibly well-balanced. They’re tender and sweet but not too sweet. If you want something that feels a little more festive, they also do miniature birthday cakes. " - Carina Finn Koeppicus
"Sugar Sweet Sunshine should be your go-to dessert spot in Essex market. This bakery has a large selection of cupcakes, including a delightful Oreo version with an actual cookie on the bottom, and does a bunch of different pudding varieties. On a recent trip, we tried their banana cream pudding, which made us wish more bakeries offered silky, layered puddings." - Carlo Mantuano
"After canvasing the city’s supply of bakeries to see what was still open, I’ve come to the conclusion that you should order your cake from Sugar Sweet Sunshine, which has two branches. There’s a branch in the Essex Street Market, but the principal one is at 126 Rivington Street between Essex and Norfolk streets." - Robert Sietsema
