Don't agree with my picks? Well, get your own blog, or post your favorites--maybe you'll change my mind!
(Also, if I was better with graphics I would create a cutsey little apron to put next to every pick, but alas I am not that skilled...so imagine a frilly pink apron....)
What do these bakeries get as winners of the Apron Awards? Riches? Glory? Obviously not, perhaps a little free advertising...or just the knowledge that I think they are great and will continue to be a loyal eater of their products.
Apron Award--Best Cupcake
BROWN BETTY DESSERT BOUTIQUE1030 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA
215.629.0999
Move over Magnolia Bakery (Sex in the City fame, and often proclaimed "best cupcake")! Brown Betty makes THE BEST cupcakes I have ever tasted. Hands down. No contest. If people disagree with this award than I'm going to have to believe you have never had one of their cupcakes. This small little shop in NoLib's specializes in cupcakes, although they have cookies and cakes there as well. My favorite is the red velvet with cream cheese frosting. The cake is thick and moist, and the frosting, well it is amazing. They have a bunch of other flavors to choose from as well: chocolate, vanilla, pound cake, lemon, coconut, carrot cake, vanilla with lemon filling, vanilla with raspberry filling...I'm probably missing a few. I brought a few of each kind to a bachelorette weekend I attended and they were a big hit.
This is a new find for me, it is in Chestnut Hill, an area of Philadelphia I rarely frequent; however, coming home from a meeting one day I stopped at this small bakery to get a little treat and had one of the most perfect chocolate cookies. It fit all my requirements: 1. It was large (because I won't buy 2 cookies even if they are small--oh the willpower)
2. It was very soft in the middle...almost like a chocolate chip cookie bar, it was thick and chewy, I hate a hard cookie. 3. Chocolate chunks were spread throughout the cookie--chocolate in every bite! I realize the name of shop is "Bread Company" They do have a delicious apricot pecan loaf, but I'm coming back for the cookies.
Apron Award--Best Baguette
Sarcone's Bakery758 S. 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215.922.0445
If you live in Philadelphia you have been to Sarcone's, or at least have had their bread (even if you don't realize it). This is the ultimate place to get a long Italian style baguette. They bake them fresh every day and provide many restaurants with their bread. On weekends if you don't get there early they sell out. It is in the heart of the Italian Market, and an important stop when shopping for Italian Market Dinner (Fiorella's for sausage...Superior for pasta...but I digress, that is another Apron Award). They are 5th generation, Italian-American bread makers...so you know it's gotta be good!
Top Pot DoughnutsVarious locations in Seattle
For the best doughnut I had to go outside of Philly. Kristy Kreme, Smisty Kreme...if you want a really gooood doughnut (and I am not a doughnut person mind you) you need to check out Top Pot. Now, my fellow Philly friends may be thinking, "Top Pot...that sounds familiar..." This is because your local, friendly Starbucks is now carrying them in their pastry case. However, be fore-warned, this Apron Award is based on many a trip to the actual Top Pot Doughnut shops where they are making them fresh daily. So, don't get your panties in a bunch if you go to Starbucks and aren't blown away---pastries should not be packaged and shipped! My favorite is the apple fritter, but they have zillions of different flavor combinations.
To Be Determined (by YOU hopefully)
Apron Award--Best Bread (non-baguette)This is a bit of a cop-out. I knew there had to be a scone/muffin category, but I have been having the hardest time coming up with where I have had the best scone or muffin. This is a tricky category. To be honest, I don't think I've had a great scone in Philadelphia. The closest I could come was Whole Foods and their oatmeal date. However, I am hesitant to name Whole Foods as the best (I mean I love them...but come on). So, I'm leaving this category up to you (wherever you may live)...I'll update the winner once I get some suggestions.
Metropolitan Bakeryvarious Philadelphia locations
I had to do it...I had to give at least something to Philadelphia's resident Artisan Bakery. They are good, don't get me wrong. I love to go and get some olive bread or a loaf of raisin and walnut. What I don't like, however, is how they have kind of honed in on Philadelphia's bakery scene and taken over. I wish there were a few more small, mom and pop type shops by neighborhood that did the whole array well--muffins/scones, breads, cookies. Maybe this just means there is room in the market for a new Philadelphia bakery. Anyone know any investors??
Macrina Bakery and CafeQueen Anne Location
615 W McGraw Street
Seattle, WA
206.283.5900
The "Best Picture" of the Apron Awards, and I had to go outside of Philadelphia to bestow the award upon Macrina, the most amazing little shop in Seattle (there are actually 3 locations). This bakery is the best overall because it knows how to do EVERYTHING right (see above award for how I think Philly is missing this). From their Egg Bialy sandwich on bread which they baked themselves, loaves of olive bread, lemon lavender coffee cake, and too many sweet treats to name, Macrina is the one stop bakery you have to visit when you are in Seattle. They have brunch and light lunch available, too. I have their cookbook and completely bombed when I tried to make this lemon raspberry cake (I was using the wrong sized pan, causing batter to overflow and an oven fire to occur). The recipes are complicated and the owner/baker really knows her stuff. I've been wanting to attempt a bread recipe from her cookbook for some time. Most require the use of making a starter, which takes a couple weeks. I guess I have just been lazy...Also, check out their website, because they have featured recipes of the month!
1 comment:
When will best Bagel be included??
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