Each year CITY asks readers to vote for their favorite local people, places, food, drinks, entertainment, and more in our Best of Rochester readers' poll. As the winter holidays approach and everyone starts planning parties and gifts, we asked the top four bakeries from this year's poll what holiday-specific treats each of them will offer this season, and how to place holiday orders on time.
The following is the first of a two-part series, focusing on Best of Rochester 2018 Best Bakery winner Savoia Pastry Shoppe and runner-up Get Caked. Next week: runners-up Leo's Bakery & Deli and Scratch Bakeshop.
- PHOTO PROVIDED
- Holiday cookies from Savoia Pastry Shoppe.
SAVOIA PASTRY SHOPPE
2267 Clifford Avenue. 482-1130; savoiapastry.com
Holiday-specific offerings: Christmas stollens (sweet dough with raisins, $5.50), Christmas spumoni ($4.95), cookie cakes (ranging in pricing), holiday cutout cookies ($1.35 each), ice box cookies ($10.75 per pound), and fruitcake ($8.25).
Most popular holiday items: Cookie cakes. "They are great gifts for personal and corporate use to show your appreciation to friends, employees and clients," says Savoia's co-owner Lisa Privitera. "Our Christmas stollen is also a popular holiday baked good. It's a sweet dough shaped like a Christmas tree with icing and holiday sprinkles." And Savoia's cannoli, offered year round, is also a popular holiday staple. "We offer cream- or cheese filled-cannoli which are $2.10 each," she says.
Holiday treats for dietary needs: None.
Custom holiday orders: Yes, for orders for large numbers of cookie cakes, and for customizable cakes.
Ordering deadlines and guidelines: No later than December 15 for personal items, and no later than December 10 for corporate orders.
- PHOTO PROVIDED
- A custom Christmas-themed cake by Get Caked.
GET CAKED
274 Goodman Street North B132. 319-4314; getcakedroc.com
Holiday-specific offerings: Holiday-decorated and customizable sugar cookies (starting at $2 each; trays start at $30 for a 50-piece tray of palm-sized cookies), fruit or pumpkin pies ($16 or $20 gluten free), pastries, brownies, customized cupcakes ($30 for a dozen), cakes (starting at $15), and gluten-free breads and dinner rolls.
Most popular holiday items: Decorated sugar cookies and cookie trays. "We also make a lot of pies (mostly Dutch apple and pumpkin) and decorated cakes," says Get Caked owner Kelly Halligan. "The most popular cupcake flavors are chocolate peppermint, eggnog, carrot cake, and pumpkin chai."
Holiday treats for dietary needs: Almost all items are available dairy free, nut free, soy free, vegan, or gluten free. The shop has dedicated gluten free, dairy free, and nut free equipment.
Custom holiday orders: Cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. "You can order something simple like a basic cake with writing and flowers or something complicated like a 3D or fondant cake," Halligan says. The more complicated the design, the more notice is required.
Ordering deadlines and guidelines: Holiday pre-orders must be in by December 20. "We will have a selection of goodies available for quick purchase up until Christmas Eve," Halligan says. "But we always suggest ordering in advance to guarantee your selection."
The most unusual, challenging, fun, memorable order: "One of the most challenging and fun was a three-tiered, square, topsy-turvy wedding cake that was entirely Christmas themed, Halligan says. "I handmade little snowmen, elves, and reindeer out of gum paste and chocolate. They also had hundreds of Christmas sugar cookies to go along with it."
