Bakeries
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Sept 2008
I am hosting a baby shower and looking to get an affordable but not
full-of-buttercream-frosting cake to serve to my 25 guests. I'm
not too picky about the kind of cake, just something a little
different from your average safeway cake.
dani
Diandas Bakery at 25th and Mission makes delicious tres leches cakes
with whipped cream frosting (not buttercream). If you ask them to limit
their decoration to strawberries or some other fruit (as opposed to
buttercream flowers) it is a tasty affordable cake.
Anonymous
Believe it or not, Costco makes pretty good cakes, and you can have
them decorated. You can pick up whatever they have day of, or order in
advance. $15 or so for a half-sheet, filled.
janet
April 2008
We're looking for a good cafe to go to in Berkeley for cake on
weekend afternoons. The two primary criteria are (1) yummy cake and
(2) outdoor seating with nice ambiance. We know about Crixa Cakes
(yummy cakes, but expensive, and the outdoor seating doesn't have
much ambiance) and Cafe Strada (great ambiance, but difficult
parking, and they seem to have downgraded all their cakes to bars).
Anyone know of a place that fits the bill?
Hungry for cake
I'm looking forward to hearing others' suggestions, but we
like Cafe Roma at College and Ashby, which offers both yummy
cake and outdoor seating.
Cake & Sunshine is a Great Life Philosophy
Oh boy did you ask the right person!
Price-wise, Bakesale Betty's has great treats, mostly
cookies.
Katrina Rozelle on College has lovely cake with a little
outdoor seating.
Down the street, Bittersweet has amazing brownies and
cinnamon chocolate cake, not too crowded on weekdays. Some of
the employees can be way too business-like (c'mon, it's
cake!).
On Fourth St., Betty's has amazing lemon bars and fruit
cobblers, and Market Hall has really lovely cake with lots of
outdoor seating, good for people/dog watching.
Oh, I don't eat a lot of cake or anything...
I don't know if the ambiance is nice enough for you, but
Masse's has the *best* cakes. The mango mousse is especially
delicious. It's on Shattuck near Vine. Parking can be a bit
challenging, but not as bad as it is for Cafe Strada.
Caaaaake
I highly recommend Masse's on Shattuck & Vine, a couple of
stores down from Black Oak Books. They sell large and
single-serving cakes as well as tea and coffee. This is one
of the best (if not the best) bakery in Berkeley. There is a
small number of tables inside and some outside. It's a
delightful place for afternoon tea & treat, with or without
kids. Parking can be a pain on weekends but, were in Berkeley
is it not?
Brenda
We just ate some delicious honey rolls and pie at Sweet
Adeline's today. Yummy --we live closeby, the neighborhood
isn't the greatest our real estate agent forecast is
''positive upside.''
It's simply a delicious bakery & worth the visit. There's a
small outdoor spot which is pretty good, no great views
(cross street MLK/view of parking LOT), oh yeah tonnes of
free parking.
They always ask me if I'd like that 'take-out.'
Check it out if you're still hungry for CAKE.
anon
masses in berkeley -
http://www.massespastries.com/
i like cake too
April 2007
I'm looking for a spot close to the Julia Morgan Theater to take
some of my 5-yr old daughter's friends for birthday treats after
a performance. Walkable would be ideal, but short drive okay.
Any ideas? thanks
Kathleen
How about Cafe Roma at College and Ashby? They always have lots of yummy desserts and are very kid-friendly.
It's about 6 blocks from Julia Morgan, which I'd consider walkable, though your definition may vary. There
are lots of restaurants around that intersection if you want to explore.
Mmmm, carrot cake
Just down College Ave about 2 blocks south of the Julia Morgan is Ici, a new ice cream parlor with delicious
hand made ice cream such as ginger snap or blood orange sorbet. There are handmade cones with a dab of
chocolate in the point and amazing ice cream cakes. This would be a great place to take a crew of girls. Get
a cone and then check out the windows at Basic Bird for kittens and rabbits or walk across the street to Sweet
Dreams toy store.
Another option is Cafe Roma for hot chocolate and scones or cookies, corner of
Ashby and College.
Nabolom, just off College on Russell next to the fire station, has all sorts of yummy pastries and
cookies.
And finally, the favorite Elmwood destination of kids for blocks
around, and easy on the wallet: Dream Fluff Donuts, on Ashby
just below College.
Have fun!
Ginger
Ozzie's soda fountain in Elmwood comes to mind--lots of fun for 5-y-o's! in the same neighborhood are Nabolom
bakery, Ici (fancy-schmancy ice cream, prices to match), a couple different coffee shops, and donuts.
katy
Jan 2007
I looking for a bakery that will bake a wedding cake not using
traditional butter and milk, but will be willing to
substitute.ingredients?(like the butter and milk....we also need
the icing changed from buttercream to other...if anyone can help
with recommendations....thanks....Wedding is in a couple of
weeks.
Marion
Check with Jennifer at Sweet Adeline Bakery, on Adeline and 63rd in Berkeley. I
requested a non-egg birthday cake and she was happy to find a recipe that would
work. It was delicious and beautiful. I know that they do a lot of wedding cakes
too.
marjorie
Try Whole Foods Bakery in berkeley, The bakery in Market Hall,
and the Montclair Bakery on Mountain Blvd (just off the Park
Blvd. exit).
Good Luck
Oct 2003
Does anyone know of an inexpensive bakery outlet to get things
like hotdog rolls/hamburger buns etc. in very large quantity inexpensively?
We used to go to a pepperidge farm outlet when I lived on the
east coast, but I don't even need anything that fancy (Rainbo or
Wonder would be perfect).
Thanks!
Planning a walkathon BBQ
They have good buns in big packs. Also a good place to buy
hotdogs and hamburger meat.
Debbie
There is a Rainbo/Wonder outlet in Oakland right off of 880S at
16th (?) I think it's 16th- or else it's 23rd. It's right in
between a business called RED with a large red sign and
Earthgrains- you can see it from the freeway and can't really
miss it if you're looking for it.
Hope this is of some help to you!
Jessica
There is a Wonderbread outlet in San Pablo, near Church Lane, on
23rd, I believe, but you can call information and double-check
the address. Good luck!
mack
The Rainbo Bread Outlet is just of 880S in Oakland. The exit is 23rd.
You can't miss it.
Alternatively, there is a Hostess outlet in San Pablo. It is also on 23rd
(funny conincidence), a few blocks from the intersection with San Pablo
Ave.
Rose
Entenmann's Inc-Oroweat Foods
14388 Washington Ave, San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 357-5004
Helena
Wonder Bread has an outlet on Market St. going towards
Emeryville. I am not sure of the exact address. Also check the
Grocery Outlet store on University in Berkeley. They often
offer donations of large quantities for functions. Hope this
helps some.
Good luck
''Each One, Teach One''
Marissa
I don't know how inexpensive these are but there are two bakery
outlets in San Leandro. One is ''Hostess'' and it is on Montague
Road (in the industrial area off Marina Blvd.). The other
is ''Orowheat'' on Washington Ave. just down the road from Kmart.
Costco might be a better option. At the bakery outlet you have
to beware of the marked down pasteries!
HL
Oct 2006
where are the best chocolate cupcakes with delightful decorations for a science loving 6
year old boy? Bakery suggestions welcome, or persuade me to use a gorgeous cake.. 20
kids.
Elaine
I don't know where you live, but you should try Virginia Bakery.
I'm sure they can do great cupcakes; their sheet cakes are
incredible. (And the frosting actually tastes really good- not
like supermarket yucko).
Happy Birthday!
Dessert lover
For easy inexpensive uniform cupcakes, and you can do it at the last minute, Neldam's
Bakery. I think they were a dollar a cupcake, and you can choose white or dark, and
white or dark frosting. More important than the taste or quality of the cupcake is if you
can put some sort of little flag or special object on each--
Bakery cupcakes work for me!
We love Love at First Bite or soomething like that..It's in the
Vine Street square. At Vine and Walnut St. in N. Berkeley.
They have amazing, beautiful, delicious and creative cupcakes..a
whole store full!
cupcake lover
The yummiest cupcakes I've found are from Teacake Bakeshop:
www.teacakebakeshop.com. I like their cupcakies, which are
shorter & flatter than traditional cupcakes
Now I'm Salivating
No contest - the very best cupcakes I have ever had in the East
Bay come from Braxton Boxes. Moist, flavorful, just the right
amount of sweet – no cloying mass-produced treats here. Pam and
Ron will work with you to ensure you get the flavor and design
you want. They created pink lemonade for my friend’s daughter’s
last birthday. Each cupcake had a little candy ladybug or
flower perched on the frosting. When one of the kids at my
daughter’s preschool moved back to China, they topped each
cupcake at her going away party with a piece of chocolate with
a character from the Chinese alphabet on it. Their cakes rock
too but I am most partial to their cupcakes – the ultimate
comfort food! They are a home-based business so can keep their
costs competitive with the cupcake bakeries. And Ron and Pam
are truly wonderful. If I sound like I’m gushing, it’s because
I am. Contact them at braxtonsboxes[at]sbcglobal.net.
shari
I just read your post and wanted to mention that I have recently
seen a cupcake cake that was really neat. It was made up of about
20-30 cupcakes all set upclose to one another with frosting
decorating them all as one big picture. Super easy to serve and
lots of fun looking. Here's an example I found on the web (not
nearly as cute as the one I saw though). Endless possibilities...
http://cakefun.blogspot.com/2005/06/have-your-cake-and-your-cupcake-too.html
Good luck!
Fellow Mom
I get birthday cupcakes at the Pak N Save in Emeryville, at 40th St. and San Pablo Ave.
The store has a big onsite bakery, the cupcakes have gooey frosting, lots of
decorations, come in vanilla and chocolate so kids have a choice, and are reasonably
priced. They are not gourmet but I think that is wasted on kids. Pak N Save is
actually a Safeway store, I guess they call it that because it's bigger than the usual
Safeway. rami
Feb 2007
Can anyone recommend a good place to get Tres Leches cake? I'd
like to be able to buy a slice, and if I like it, then I'll go
ahead and order a whole cake. However, I don't know where to go!
Thanks!
craving tres leches
Try Sugar Bowl Bakery in the 4th St. neighborhood in Berkeley.
524-3906. I don't remember if they sell tres leche by the slice
but I got a tres leches cake there last year and it was good!
anon
I just bought a slice at Neldam's Danish Bakery - Oakland, on
Telegraph at the mid-thirties (cross-street). It was yummy!
pregnant & sampling LOTS of sweets ...
Feb 2006
My birthday is coming up in February and I'm trying to give my
husband some ideas for bakers. I am in love with tres leches
(3 milk) cake that I tasted in Cabo. Does anyone have a good
baker that makes cakes? Thanks.
loretta
Merritt Bakery in Oakland has a Tres Leches cake. I haven't
tasted that particular cake, but I have been happy with other
cakes I have purchased there.
Tina
Market Hall in Rockridge makes a Tres Leches cake, and it
is available on the catering menu, too. Market Hall Caterers
number is 547-4066. Happy birthday!
Dessert Fan
My family loves the tres leches cake at the Cactus Taqueria on
College Ave.! You could also try chowhound.com
Someone asked about getting Tres Leches Cake in the East Bay for her birthday. I saw
a
friend tonight, she owns a bakery in Mexico and lives part of the year here. She
told
me that The Pasta Shop (Market Hall in Rockridge, or Pasta Shop on 4th Street)
recently
started making this cake. If you get it, she advises to order it fresh for your
party.
Cake Lover
March 2005
I am trying to prepare for my son's first birthday party as a
sugar-free kid. Can any of you recommend a bakery that makes
sugar-free cakes? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Lena
Hi,
The Nabolom Bakery on Russell street at College Avenue makes some
goodies with maple syrup or sucanat instead of sugar. You might
want to make them a special request.
Try Barbara Llewellyn Catering--they did a fructose sweetened
chocolate cake for our wedding and it was delicious.
http://www.barbarallewellyn.com/
See also:
NON or LOW sugar Birthday Cake for 2-y-o
May 2005
Interested in recommendations for Bay area bakeries that do
gourmet, pretty cakes like Masse's. Especially interested in a
bakery that can do great quality with a large, event cake.
Thanks.
Cake Connoisseur
Hi,
Looking for a beautiful and yummy cake for a big event function. I know about
Masse's and Katrina Rozelle and am looking for other recommenations in the Bay
area along the lines of the sort of cake that Masse's makes.
Crixa Cakes on Adeline in Berkeley makes wonderful cakes. I
have also had good luck with Virginia Bakery in Berkeley for
larger sheet cakes.
S.
Here's the website for a well-known Sonoma County Baker:
http://www.fleurdelisacakes.com/
A friend is using her for a summer wedding and say the cakes
taste awesome. They are certainly beautiful. I believe she
travels with her cakes.
I want cake now!
Sweet Adeline at Adeline and 63rd in Oakland has great
cakes. They mostly take orders, but occasionally have
some pre-made. I assume that they do event cakes. La
Farine: west side of College avenue between Alcatraz and
Clairmont also has yummy special cakes.
bakery addict
Walnut Creek Baking Company has the very best cakes in the East
Bay. I frequently purchase cakes for business luncheons and
office functions. The location is very convenient w/ ample
parking, the cake deocorators there are superb, the cakes are
absolutly delicious and beautiful! I highly recommend Walnut
Creek Baking Company! Their phone number is 925.988.9222 and
their website is www.walnutcreekbakingcompany.com
Carin
July 2004
I am looking for a recommendation on a good and affordable cake
for a shower for 20-40 people in the east bay. I am open to
suggestions from Costco to bakeries.
Thanks
WSP
My extended family agrees that you can't do better than
Costco. They sell half sheet cakes (serve about 50) for about
$12-14. They are delicious and very pretty, with about a dozen
designs to choose from, and they will add writing or customize
colors to your specifications. You can either just choose a
pre-made one from the case or order in advance. We just used
one of their cakes for my son's third birthday, and it was far
better than the Toot Sweets cake we paid $40 for the year
before.
Catherine
I recently had the caramel delight cake from Adronico's. It's a
moist chocolate cake with caramel filling and buttercream
frosting. If you like chocolate and caramel, it doesn't get
much better than this. And the price is decent.
Kerry
June 2004
Hi there,
Can anyone recommend a bakery, or grocery store that has a good
boston cream pie?
thanks,
cris
Crixa Bakery on Adeline, near where it hits Shattuck (Berkeley Bowl
area). Call to see if available before you go, but all their stuff is great.
Ellen
I've never tried it, but my favorite bakery, Crixa Cakes, has a
beautiful Boston Cream Pie. Their other cakes, which I've had,
are absolutely delicious, old-fashioned, simple and uncomplicated.
This bakery is on Adeline Street in Berkeley and was just written
up in San Francisco magazine.
Berkeley cake lover
June 2004
I didn't see anything about this on the web site. Does anyone
know where I can purchase a cake that dogs can eat? My dog's
half-sister is having her 1 year old birthday party.
My sister thought I lost my mind, but I have purchased a birthday
cake for my dog. We got it at the Three Dog Bakery. I don't
believe there are any in this area, but you can order it online
and have it shipped. The dog seemed to enjoy it. www.threedog.com
I don't know if they have any cakes, but there's a store on
Chestnut St. in SF called Catnip + Bones. They have really cute
and fancy (& expensive) dog treats. Kindof like a fancy pastry
shop for dogs.
anon
Three Dog Bakery is a great place to purchase a doggie birthday
cake. They do not use sugar or any chemicals. All the
ingredients are natural. The ''chocolate'' cakes are really not
chocolate since chocolate can make a dog sick. The chocolate
cakes are really make from carob. Here is their website.
http://www.threedog.com/ Click on ''Shop the Dogalong'' and then
Click on ''Celebration Cakes''.
Joy joy.randel@kp.org
I don't have a dog, but I know you can buy a dog *cake* at
Bella and Daisys on Union Street in SF
(http://www.bellaanddaisys.com)
Kim
Check out City Dogs Boutique and Barkery in Pleasant Hill.
925/685-4688
Rachel
September 2003
Can anyone tell me where to find a truly sublime French-style
croissant in the Berkeley or Oakland area?
Pregnant & Craving
La Farine on College, near Alcatraz. I also recommend their
morning buns, but leave some for me! (smile)
Eric
The chocolate croissants at Citizen Cake in San Francisco are
beyond compare.
kathryn
Try Masa's (Ed: Masse's) in North Berkeley (on Shattuck). They are very close
to the real thing!
Kerry
Masse's Pastries on Shattuck next to Black Oak Books (in the Gourmet
Gulch area by the Cheese Board). Five years ago we asked the same
question. After a long search to too many medocre bakeries we finally
found Masse's and were able to breath free again. The only thing is
that we're not the only people who know about Masse's and so they do
sometimes sell out of croissant in the first hour or two. Great cakes too!
Dominic
The next best thing to flying to a Parisian bakery would be to get the boxed
croissants from Williams Sonoma. They are so awesome! You can probably
buy them online as well.
From someone who loves to eat, especially baked goods
I recommend La Farine on College Ave @ Claremont.
La Farine, on College at Alcatraz! The best croissants in the
area -- not quite as crisp as in France, but awfully good.
anon
La Farine. No question.
June 2003
I need to find a bakery in the Oakland area that makes a good
spice cake with cream cheese frosting (with no nuts in either).
Any suggestions? This is for a special birthday, and he does
not like carrot cake as a substitution. Thanks!
Ellen
I would recommend Crixa Cakes at 2748 Adeline. Phone # is 510-
548-0421. I believe they make a spice cake and all of their
cakes are delicious.
Cake Lover
I seem to recall that one of Virginia Bakery's cake options is
spice cake and I think they'll do a cream cheese frosting. It's
been a while since I got that info., so definitely call them and
ask.
The Virginia Bakery (Shattuck and Virginia) makes an applesauce
cake that I can only describe as a spice cake. They generally
make it with a caramel frosting, but I'd be shocked if they
wouldn't make it with cream cheese if you preordered it.
They're really nice there -- I'm sure they'd give you a small
sample to see if it fits the bill.
Tamar
June 2003
This seems like a sort of trivial request but it's now come up
twice.... Where can we get good straight ahead Danish pastries?
We're not looking for fancy-schmancy French pastries like La
Farine (though we love those too!) but something along the lines
of a really good cheese danish, like Svenhards if they were
really good. Double plus points if they are open before 10 on
Sunday (which Neldhams isn't) or in Oakland.
Danish Seeker
One word -- Nabolom.
Dan
Nabolom in Berkeley (just east of College on Russell), although
the danish there might justifiably be called fancy. They are a
bit expensive but absolutely delicious. Plain, blueberry, prune,
raspberry, apricot, others in season...
You'll have to verify the quality, I haven't bought a danish in a
long time--don't live in the area any more. But they were always
great in past years.
Used to go there every weekend
I'm not sure if it is exactly what you are looking for, but when I think of
great cheese danishes, I think of Nabolom Bakery. They may have a simple
cheese danish, I'm not sure, but they definitely have wonderful fruit and
cheese pastries. They are not fancy, but are very tasty and made with good
ingredients. My mouth is watering just thinking of them. Nabolom is
located off College Avenue one block north of Ashby (Russell?).
Jennifer C
Montclair Baking Company off Mountain Blvd (Park Blvd Exit from
13)has a pear danish that is really great. Don't know their
hours. The former Grace Baking in Market Hall sells a variety of
bakerys' goodies including Artisan Baking danishes. Those are
good, too. Especially cherry cheese.
anon.
Try Nabolom in the Elmwood (on Russell off of College). Great
Apricot danishes.
- RK
Try Ladyfingers on the corner of Santa Clara (becomes Macarthur)
and Oakland Ave. They are really yummy.
Find a great cheese danish at Nobolom Bakery on Russell
at College. Don't know about their cheese danish, but
Virginia Street Bakery or Ecliar Pastries on Telegraph Ave
are both traditional bakeries. Try them.
JoAnne
A no-brainer: the cheese danishes at Nabolom (Russell street near
College Ave)- cherry, apricot, raspberry....
And of course you must try their cinnamon twist.
Heaven on earth. They are open early (8am?) on Sundays.
peggy
Bear Claw Bakery in Old Pinole is the place you should try.
They make wonderful cheese danish from scratch and delicious
bear claws, fruit danish, doughnuts and breads. They have
somewhat of a huge following and appreciation from danish
lovers. They are open at 7 am on Sunday and close early at 12:00
(sundays only) and the rest of the week they are open at 6:00 am
until about 3-4 pm.
Although it can be a drive from Oakland, you will find it well
worth it. Bring the family, there is a great park right behind
the bakery, which is located at 2340 San Pablo Avenue in old
Pinole (across the street from the Pear St. Bistro and Flower
cart, Next door to Bill's liquor's). try it out, you'll love
it.
P.S. they make the best cakes in the world!
Kerri
Try Virginia Bakery on Shattuck in Berkeley if you're looking
for classic, old fashioned baked goods. Not open on Sundays,
though!
Kim
We have bought danish for 20 years at Nabolom Bakery, on Russell
right off College in Elmwood. Buttery pastry, delicious cheese
and fruit inside. And a bunch of other tasty delights for sale,
too. Nabolom is open on Sundays by 8:00, I believe. Bon
appetit!
Wendy
Have you tried Nabolom bakery in Elmwood? It's right off
College near Sweet Dreams (sorry, can't recall the street
name). Everything I've tried there is delicious!!
anon
Naboloms makes a great cheese danish. Apricot, cherry, etc. On
Russell, just above College in Berkeley. Try this link:
http://users.rcn.com/nabolom/map.html
foodie
Hands down the best danish are at Nabolom in Elmwood, off
College. Their other goods are great, but the danish are what set
them apart. The fillings have real fruit (not canned pie filling)
and cheese, and there are lots of choices.
- hungry already!
Bonaire Bakery on Park Street in Alameda is the place for an
excellent classic danish - from bear paws to blueberry rings
and more, its all excellent. I think they open at 7am but call
to check. Their cakes are super too.
Enjoy
Amid the avalanche of Nabolom recommendations :), another poster
recommended a bakery in Alameda. Just wanted to correct the name
so folks can find it: Boniere Bakery on Park St in Alameda.
Everything I've had from there (including danish) has been great.
Jennie
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