Cookies, Cakes & Croissants? These Kirkland Bakeries Offer Artisan Fare

Baking is the precise side of cooking, requiring exact measurements, specific temperatures and chemical reactions. Even the age of something as simple as baking powder can mean the difference between a proud and tall or sad and sunken cake.

In the culinary arts, for most of us some occasions just call for a professional hand. Here in Kirkland, there are three independent bakeries that will come to the rescue of those whose idea of baking from scratch means scratching your name onto a credit card receipt.

The Story
Kirkland’s oldest and most decorated bakery has had its ovens fired up since 1984 when Ed and June Hoffman filled the air with the alluring aroma of European style baked goods. The couple sold the business in 2000 and things started to change. In 2006, Eugenia Velez and Carlos Covelli bought Hoffman’s and began restoring it to its original glory, one recipe at a time.

They rehired many of the personnel that worked under the Hoffman’s, like head baker Tara Reed and Janis Resler. “We are like a happy family,” says Velez, receiving affirming nods from Reed and Resler. Each employee has their own favorite cake -- Velez loves the tiramisu, Reed is more of an espresso torte fan and Resler sticks with the bakery’s signature princess torte.

“Our best advertising is word of mouth,” says Velez. Hoffman’s Fine Cakes & Pastries was voted “Best Bakery” in 425 Magazine’s 2011 poll.

Offerings and Specialties
More than just a bakery, Hoffman’s offers espresso drinks, tea, made-from-scratch soups, sandwiches and quiche with a few tables for enjoying a leisurely breakfast or quick lunch. Baked goods include pastries, cookies and cakes. They bake three varieties of bread daily, which are intended for the restaurant’s sandwiches, but are also available by the loaf to customers. A staff member will add simple custom message to any in-store cake for free (elaborate additions are extra).

Custom cakes (not shaped cakes) are available for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Wedding cakes start at $157, require two weeks advance notice and a $100 non-refundable deposit; delivery is recommended and starts at $55. Private appointments are available for bride’s-to-be, ensuring top quality customer service and attention. All cakes are made with the best ingredients -- butter, hand-made marzipan, rich chocolates.

As of March 23, Hoffman’s will offer two 8-inch gluten-free choices: chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting or yellow cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. Additionally, the bakery recently started serving paninis during lunch.

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Hoffman’s Fine Cakes & Pastries is located at 226 Park Place Center. Hours are Mon-Wed, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thur-Fri, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Story
Owner Susanne Park traded in her corporate job for baking and never looked back. “I just really enjoy it,” she says. Park started her baking business filling custom wedding cake orders from a private bakery, but in 2008 landed her own storefront on a street that shares her name (Park Lane).

Though the shop draws passersby with its rows of delightful cupcakes, Park claims that she isn’t a big cupcake fan herself, but loves the bars and cookies. In response to her own gluten-free dietary needs, many of the cupcakes are made sans wheat flour helping to fill a largely under-served niche market.

In contrast to the European mousses and marzipan of Hoffman’s, Sweet Cakes keeps it more American with buttercreams and jams. An active member of the local community, Sweet Cakes donates many baked goods for schools and other charity events.

Offerings and Specialties
Cupcakes, both full-size and mini versions, rule the day at Sweet Cakes. Coconut and red velvet varieties are tied for most popular. Additionally, there are several kinds of bars, cookies, cheesecakes, tarts and even seasonal pies.

Custom cakes are available for special occasions. Wedding consultations and tastings are available, with cakes starting at $122. Sweet Cakes offers custom icing colors to match party themes. Additionally, Sweet Cakes is in the "shaped-cake" market -- the company's facebook page has photos of cakes shaped like snowmen, teapots, even a barnyard.

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Sweet Cakes is located at 128 Park Lane. Hours are Tues-Sat, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mon.

The Story
What started out as a wholesale enterprise by French-native Frederic Courteau has now expanded into three storefronts. Courteau’s background is in the Italian coffee arena, so the bakery naturally imports its coffee from Bologna, Italy. Pastries and breads are made fresh and from scratch in the Bellevue kitchen, delivered twice daily to the Kirkland branch. Products that don’t sell during the day are donated to local charities like .

“This store is an extension of who I am,” says Courteau. “Glad to be in Kirkland.”

Offerings and Specialties
Though sheet cakes (customizable by writing and simple decoration only) are available through custom orders, local employee Kassi claims that coffee and pastries are The French Bakery’s bread and butter. Croissants, turnovers, tarts or even a slice of cake go perfectly with an expertly poured latte made by barista, Rachel. Breads are sold by the loaf -- nothing is better than a freshly baked baguette, especially from a company who’s motto is “Always Fresh, Always French.”

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The French Bakery is located at 219 Kirkland Ave. #102. Hours are Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.