5 places to get a sweet fix and celebrate National Bakery Day

As the year passes by, it seems that there is a special day for just about everything: cookies, pizza and tacos are a few that come to my mind. Get ready, sweet tooth addicts, we will finally have an excuse to eat sugary treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner because (the first ever) National Bakery Day is here on this day, Sept. 28, 2017! Here are a few places to visit for your sweet bakery fix:

Sweet Affairs

What We Love: This artisanal dessert catering service has an extensive selection of cakes, pies, bite-sized delights and dessert spreads to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Founded by pastry chef Joselyn Perlmutter, Sweet Affairs offers a wide selection of scratch-made desserts that taste just as beautiful as they look. Their cakes are the perfect centerpiece for your next birthday celebration. Cupcakes are $36 per dozen and customized 6-inch cakes are $55 each. Please inquire for other dessert prices. Customized 6-inch cakes will be $45 through the month of October by using promocode “National Bakery Day” with your order. Follow Jossie on Instagram @seejossiebake.

Custom orders can be placed through the submission page on www.sweetaffarscharlotte.com or by email, sweetaffairscharlotte@gmail.com.

Favorite Flavor: Sinful Chocolate Cake with coffee custard filling and salted caramel Swiss meringue buttercream.

Favorite Traditional Flavor: Lemon Cake with lemon curd filling and lavender Swiss meringue buttercream.

CupCrazed Cakery

What We Love: Named as one of Yelp’s Top 100 Businesses for 2017, this quirky bakery specializes in inventive cupcake flavors, superior cookies and sinfully delicious cakepops. The center of this swirling, sugar-fueled vortex is Heather McDonnel, Food Network Cupcake Wars winner, wife and mother of four. Desserts are made from scratch, never using box mixes or synthetic additives. Inspired by pop culture and candy, CupCrazed Cakery is a place every Charlottean should see with their own eyes. Cupcake flavors are the same at both locations (though change daily), and both locations have $2 Tuesday as well. Individual cupcakes range from $3- $4 each. Follow them on Instagram @cupcrazed.

CupCrazed Cakery: 1730 E. Woodlawn Road, Suite H. and 936 Market Street, Suite 103, Fort Mill, SC

La Piccola Gabbia Pasticceria

What We Love: Specializing in classic European pastries, this bakery team only uses natural, real ingredients to create their delicious desserts that are completely made from scratch. Their menu is small, since they aim to release a new product once it is perfected and able to be sold at a decent price. Follow them on Instagram @lapiccolagabbia.

Favorites: Canelè is a French pastry made with vanilla bean and rum. It is caramelized on the outside and custardy on the inside. Grab a box of 20 for $39.99. La Piccola Gabbia’s Chocolate Cake ($32) is super rich and moist, topped with chocolate meringue. Coconut Macaroons are their best sellers ($1.50 a piece), made using high quality dark chocolate to balance the sweet coconut macaroon.

To order, customers can call (330) 581-9135, email info@lapiccolagabbia.com, and order online at www.lapiccolagabbia.com. They offer complimentary delivery in Charlotte area and currently sell their desserts at these local markets listed below (selection and availability can vary at each location).

• Mugs Coffee
• Fabo Coffee
• Pasta & Provisions (Providence Rd. & Park Rd.)
• Reid’s (SouthPark and Selwyn Ave.)
• Dilworth Coffee – Plantation Market
• Coco and the Director
• Rhino Market (both locations)
• Trade and Lore
• Brakeman’s Coffee and Supply
• Studio Coffee Shop

Amelie’s French Bakery

What We Love: When you’re in the mood to be inspired by whimsical décor that’s paired with perfectly brewed coffee and scrumptious baked goods, Amelie’s French Bakery has got you covered. With a menu that offers sugary confections side-by-side with savory delights, patrons can experience the best of both worlds with plenty of seating and a welcoming atmosphere. Follow them on Instagram @ameliesfrenchbakery.

Favorites: French Macarons (not Macaroons) that change with each season ($2.29). Autumn flavors include spiced cherry, s’mores, brown butter pecan, almond toffee and pumpkin pecan praline. If it’s a savory delight you’re craving, I recommend their tomato, pesto and mozzarella Danish ($3.99).

Amelie’s: 2424 N Davidson St. and other locations

Suárez Bakery

What We Love: This dessert-focused, made-from-scratch bakery offers cakes, cupcakes, cookies, various pastries and (my personal favorite) doughnuts. Have you seen those messages on Instagram made with doughnuts? Yeah, those come from this place right here. Follow them on Instagram @suarezbakery.

Favorites:

The cupcakes ($3.25 each) here are always a big hit at my office. This year’s fall flavors include Pumpkin Spice, Butterbeer, Salted Caramel Macchiato and Cookie Butter. Pies are a sure crowd pleaser and the Chocolate Cream Pie ($18 each) is my favorite (these are only available by pre-order so make sure to call at least 48 hours prior to pick up!).

Suárez Bakery: 4245 Park Road

This story was originally published September 28, 2017 at 12:00 AM.