Ever walked into a place such as a bakery and immediately felt right at home? The aroma in the air reminds you of grandma’s cooking, the ambiance is so comforting, and the people are downright kind and genuine. Well if you guessed you were in Texas that would be correct!
Few places can remind you of home but a bakery is the essence of nostalgia that takes you back to the days of waiting for your mom’s made from scratch pies, cakes, or cookies to grace the table. Texas is home to some of the best family owned bakeries, some of which are a well-kept secret that not many have had the pleasure to visit. Take a tour around Texas towns and along the way make sure to stop into the following sweet shops for some tantalizing and one of kind creations of down home goodies.
Photo: Sonia Ramirez
Bird Bakery is located in the quaint community of Alamo Heights, in San Antonio, Texas. As you walk in you are immediately taken back in time to the comforts of home and good ole southern charm all around you. The choices of sweet decadence are endless. Founded in 2012 by model, actor, journalist and television personality Elizabeth Chambers and her husband, actor Armie Hammer, Bird Bakery has nestled perfectly in Chamber’s hometown of San Antonio.
“Elizabeth grew up in the kitchens of her mother and grandmother, who ran a local catering company for many years in San Antonio, so it was only natural for the couple to open a bakery in San Antonio,” states its website. Everything is baked fresh, from scratch, every day with only the finest ingredients. Family recipes passed down through Chambers’ family grace the bakery display cases enticing you to want to try each and every type of cupcake, cookie, pie, brownies to name a few.
The choice of cupcakes alone is mind boggling. Do you try the Coconut Candy Bar, the Chocolate Salted Caramel, or maybe The Elvis-roasted banana cake with chocolate chips topped with peanut butter buttercream? Not to be outdone is a one of kind, straight out of grandma’s kitchen Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie that will make your sweet tooth melt! The choices are endless and the atmosphere is just as comforting as you sit on a quaint little picnic table enjoying your treats. Need the perfect touches and sweets for that special event, Bird Bakery can also provide a variety of services to make your day that much more special.
Photo: Facebook/Nancys-Cake-Designs
Nancy’s Cake Designs is among the best-kept secret of cake and cookie designers Texas has to offer. With over 20 years of creating masterpieces that not only take your breath away, Nancy’s sweet little shop will make you feel as if you stepped into an artist gallery. Her exquisite cakes are carefully crafted with a unique blend of richness and texture in every bite. Situated in one of Houston, Texas oldest and booming communities, the East End, Nancy’s Cake Design shop is the jewel of its community for the best cakes and cookies for any event.
The artistry that goes into each design is one-of-a-kind. With only the finest ingredients, the flavors, fillings and icing for that dream cake are endless. If you can imagine it, Nancy’s shop can create it for you with every detail carefully crafted to perfection. The first bite of the rich and flavorful cake with the touch of that perfect filling accompanied by the perfect icing on top will make your sweet tooth overjoyed. The strawberry & chocolate cake along with the tres leches is a must and the chocolate butter cream icing is a favorite. Whether you’re looking for a butter cream sensation or the artistic touch of fondant to make that cake stand out you will be wanting all your cakes from Nancy’s.
If you want that perfect cookie with a certain logo, or design, then Nancy’s is your place too. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of the creation but the delicate texture and melt in your mouth taste of the cookie will make you want to eat more than just one.
Fredericksburg Pie Company
Photo: www.fredericksburgtexasshopping.com
Fredericksburg Pie Company is the place to stop for that perfect slice of pie your craving. Family owned and operated, all their pies are baked from scratch. Located at 108 East Austin Street in the heart of one of the Hill Country’s most nostalgic and beautiful hometowns. Good ole southern charm will delight your path as you step back in time to the memories of mom and grandma cooking up family sweets.
The choices will leave you wanting more than just a slice. Cherry covered chocolate, pineapple coconut, lemon meringue are just a few of the cream pie offerings. There’s also peach praline, bourbon orange pecan and even sugar-free pies by special order. “Our mission is to serve pie that is as good as or better than our mothers and grandmothers made, and to serve it in a relaxing family style atmosphere,” states their website. They recommend coming early for the best selection as they close early when sold out.
Another treasure located in the beauty that is Texas waiting to take your breath away with its wholesome goodness and made from scratch delicious treats!
