Holiday Bakeries

Americans are busy people so it is not surprising that stress levels rise in December as we strive to prepare for a barrage of holiday events. Food is no small part of the holidays and you look at the clever ideas and beautiful concoctions in magazines and cookbooks and think of making them for your festive table.

And you never find the time.

But not all is lost. There is a plethora of bakeries throughout the region ready, willing and more than able to create beautiful cakes, cupcakes, cookies and pies as well as delicious pasties and breads.

There are many more than can be listed here, but here is a sampling of area businesses specializing in baked goods and sweets.

Starting in the north we find Chocolate Spring Café at 55 Pittsfield Road in Lenox MA opened by Joshua Needleman in 2003. Needleman worked at La Maison du Chocolat in New York City and Paris and specializes in gourmet European style desserts and chocolates.

Also in Lenox, with another outlet in Great Barrington, Patisserie Lenox offers authentic French pastries and Viennoiseries, a wide selection of homemade French macarons, custom and specialty cakes. There all are the “usual suspects”— croissants, brioche and the like and all kinds of creamy chocolaty unique creations.

Journey down to Connecticut and visit Sweet William’s, 30 Church Street in Salisbury. You won’t find a Sweet William behind the counter but you will find many delicious and decadent things. The selection changes seasonally but ever-popular items include layer cakes of all kinds, specialty cakes such as the dairy-free Tuscan Orange, Flourless Chocolate, the vegan Date Walnut Bundt, pound and cupcakes of all hues.

Further south in Litchfield County, try visiting the Blue Gate Boulanger Pâtissier at 2 Route 7 in Sharon. It offers artisanal breads naturally leavened, shaped by hand and baked fresh every morning as well as muffins and tarts and a selection of pastries that changes daily.

As everything is made fresh each morning, products often sell out by the close of business and its selection may be limited later in the day. It does not accept special orders.

The Bakehouse in Litchfield also offers a wide selection of delectables crafted by Jeremy McKendry who began his international journey in the world of bread baking at the International Culinary Center, formerly the French Culinary Institute. While serving as head baker at Whole Foods Market in Yonkers NY, he met pastry decorator Allison Varian. It was kismet and in 2017 they opened their own bakery.

The Bakehouse offers a wide variety of breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and pies. Pre-orders are encouraged—at least six days in advance for special cake order. All orders are cut off at 11AM each day.