Molly's Cupcakes

Name: Molly's Cupcakes
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: 2536 N Clark St
Map (link above): orange marker 
Nearest El Transit Locations: 
Fullerton stop of Red, Purple, and Brown lines
Diversey stop of Purple and Brown lines
(And the 22 Clark bus has a stop right there!)
Hours: 
Monday: Noon - 10pm
Tue - Thu: 8am-10pm
Fri - Sat: 8am-midnight
Sunday: 9am-10pm
Bake On-Site: Yes
Individual Cupcake Prices: $1.05 (mini), $2.05 ("Molly"), and $3.75 (center-filled)
Boxing/Packaging: box w/ inserts (4+ cupcakes)
What makes this bakery special:
They are famous for their center-filled cupcakes and rightfully so! They have unique combinations with generous amounts of filling.
They also have "build your own Molly cupcake" where you can choose specifics for the exact ("classic") cupcake you want and they ice it right in front of you and, further, you can personalize your toppings!

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Kahlua

Cake: Chocolate
with Kahlua Cream Filling and Coffee Buttercream
Appearance: 3
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 3

Cookie Monster (Top Left), Kahlua (Top Right)
Ron Bennington (Bottom Left), PB Nutella (Bottom Right)

Price: $3.75

Note: This cupcake contains alcohol.

Ron Bennington

Cake: Chocolate
with Peanut Butter Filling and Ganache sprinkled with Butterscotch pieces
Appearance: 3
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 3

Price: $3.75

Note: This is their best seller!

Peanut Butter Nutella

Cake: Peanut Butter
with Nutella Filling and Nutella Buttercream
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 2

Price: $3.75

Cookie Monster*

Cake: Vanilla Chocolate-Chip
with Cookie Dough Filling, Vanilla Buttercream, and a mini cookie
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 3

Price: $3.75

Additional Notes:

The Kahlua cupcake had fantastic smooth, rich coffee buttercream that actually wasn't too overpowering and was a nice compliment to the kahlua filling. Physically, the cupcake didn't seem to be able to handle the generous amount of filling and fell apart easily (same goes for the other filled cupcakes) but this didn't take away from the delicious experience. The filling had a definite kahlua taste to it but it was in proportion to the rest of the cupcake components.

The Ron Bennington is the most popular and I knew that without the sign telling me so. The entire cupcake is perfectly proportioned out, with smooth, rich, and dense chocolate ganache and cake with creamy peanut butter filling. The butterscotch pieces on top made for a nice crunchy surprise every bite. Absolutely fantastic.

Wait, are those swings?
...YES! 

I admit, I set high expectations for the Peanut Butter Nutella cupcake and was sadly disappointed. It seemed that all of the flavors were not as pronounced as the flavors in the other cupcakes, but were still detectable. The cake tasted more like a peanut butter cookie than a cupcake and had a large crumb. Without the Nutella filling this cupcake would be nothing. 

The filling in the Cookie Monster* is what made the entire cupcake "AMAZING." The frosting was good but could have been a little thicker.

The store is actually pretty sizable for a cupcakery and has many tables indoors and outdoors.

Good for eating in or for quick drop in.

They have swings at the espresso bar. (!!!!!)

Also, I visited Molly's this past winter with my bestie (who is a huge Molly's patron!) and I got the CAKE BATTER CUPCAKE, which was absolutely fantastic! I was one of those kids who begged to lick the bowl and this cupcake brought back all those wonderful memories. I think about this cupcake often, to this day. No joke.

* denotes that this cupcake was enjoyed by my research partner, D.E.