Five Toronto bakeries that are nut free (and birthday-party friendly)
1. Sullivan and Bleeker
Ex–New Yorker Elyse Wahle makes adorably chic baked goods. Her s’mores cupcake—with marshmallow frosting, a Hershey’s chunk and gooey fudge drizzle—is pure campfire divinity. By appointment. 877 Alness St., Unit 17, 416-961-3553, sullivanandbleeker.com
2. Short and Sweet Cupcakes
Everything about Orli Levy’s fuchsia-tinged shop is tea party perfect, especially the silver platters of dainty cupcakes. We recommend the BBM—a banana-butterscotch base with rich maple icing. 1945 Avenue Rd., 416-519-6633, shortandsweetcupcakes.ca
3. It’s the Icing on the Cake
Lynda Paul’s pastry case of nostalgic comforts includes a flaky tart decadently layered with house-made caramel and a thick, fudgey smear of Vermont dark chocolate. It tastes like a classed-up Caramilk. 1238 Queen St. E., 416-469-4973, itstheicingonthecake.ca
4. Half-Baked Ideas
Besides whimsical cake designs, Glenn Peaslee’s Davisville bakery turns out such luscious treats as a buttercreamy whoopie pie made with chocolate chip cookies and moist chocolate cake. 516 Mount Pleasant Rd., 647-808-4253, hbibakerycafe.com
5. Sweets from the Earth
Ilana Kadonoff’s Keele-and-Finch bakery is free of nuts, dairy, eggs and refined sugar. Miraculously, every bite of her wild blueberry cheesecake is absurdly creamy and just sweet enough. By appointment. 218 Canarctic Dr., 647-436-2004
Half-baked ideas was my go-to bakery but closed its doors last Winter. Please check your sources – this article is dated April 2013?
I go to Cakes by Robert for nut free cakes and pastries, especially their tarts.
Kid’s Kitchen in Markham has opened a bakery called The Sweet Dish. They’re nut free and the cakes I’ve ordered from there for my kids have been SPECTACULAR. Definitely a must-try!