Sweets to your door (from the 914)
Photo Credit: Sweets by Smooches
It’s been pretty amazing to see restaurants and bakeries adapt to recent times, going out of their way to bring us comfort in food.
Yet there is also a market of online-only, Westchester-based sweeteries that popped up even before everything shut down – and not only are they surviving, but they’re thriving with small batch, customizable, and insanely creative offerings.
Check out these 3 online sweet shops that you’ll want to order in from for your next summer celebration! And there’s more where this came from; covering more click-to-order in the coming weeks!
BAKED AFTER MIDNIGHT
Photo Credit: Baked After Midnight
Check them out:
Baked After Midnight
@bakedaftermidnight
How it started:
Founder Gianna is the definition of a go-getter. Inspired by her mom and completely self-taught, she’s driven by the desire to make what she wants to eat, and she will experiment with a recipe until she nails it.
She started baking after midnight (literally) as a way to de-stress after a long day of school or work, sharing her creations with friends and fam at first before they took on a life of their own. Cookies became her focus because she appreciates the process – from mixing, scooping, shaping, topping and all the other details that go into creating desserts you dream about.
How it’s going:
Let’s just say she found the light, cooking during the day that is. Her cookies hit the sweet spot, with signature & specialty flavors like Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream, Funfetti, S’mores and Snickerdoodle, in addition to a cookie of the month.
Baking remote allows her the flexibility to accommodate as many orders as she can manage, and to deliver at times that are most convenient for her customers...like 4pm on a Friday in a thunderstorm (thank you Gianna!). Plus, she’s able to develop longstanding relationships with her tribe because she meets them in person when she drops off the goods.
Most popular order:
S’mores, Cookies & Cream
Gianna’s favorite:
S’mores
Party pick:
MINIS. Who doesn’t love a good mini? All of hers are made-to-order, so as long as you give her some advance notice, you can choose the flavors and quantities you want based on your event. She then bakes up your batch, packages them up in her signature bright PINK box and delivers right to your door. Voila!
SWEETS BY SMOOCHES
Photo Credit: Sweets by Smooches
Check them out:
Sweets by Smooches
@sweetsbysmooches
How it started:
A desserts decorator by trade, founder Lauren saw an opportunity to tap into the traditional, no-bake snacks and sweets that every kid loves.
At her nephew’s first birthday party more than 11 years ago, she felt compelled to inject some fun into the favors, and transformed a simple marshmallow square into a colorful, imaginative, easy-to-eat pop, which instantly sparked attention. When orders for more glamorized goodies started rolling in, she knew she was onto something.
How it’s going:
If her 30,000 IG followers are any indication, she’s crushing it! Her concept of beautifying old-time favorites has remained the same, but her line of offerings has expanded to include Oreos, pretzels, candy sours, gummies, chocolates and more…basically if you can’t bake it, she can make it.
Her signature candy kabobs are simple, but BRILLIANT, interweaving sweet, sour and chewy to create a pristine sugary stick. And she even goes as far as collecting the cake scraps from local bakery Cakes on Hudson, which she molds into cakesicles and embellishes from there.
Most popular order:
Rice Krispie Treat pop with a paper straw, half-dipped in chocolate
Lauren’s favorite:
Right now she’s loving cakesicles! She also loves a blank canvas; ask her to come up with a custom design for your event, and she’ll go to town.
Party pick:
Party Packs! During the past year specifically, she pivoted towards offering individualized boxes featuring a variety pack of her most popular pieces; all completely customizable and decked to impress. You can also order sweets a la carte to fit the guest count for your event.
Cardoso Cookies
Photo Credit: Cardoso Cookies
Check them out:
Cardoso Cookies
@cardoso_cookies
How it started:
Cardoso Cookies was born at the right place and right time. A baker since 2002 and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, founder Anthony was inspired to get back into business after a 7-year hiatus. With two little kids at home and his wife also working full-time, the combination of local + online + bakery checked all the (cookie) boxes.
How it’s going:
This cookie company has online ordering, shipping and delivery on lock. All cookies are baked to order, allowing him to offer the freshest batches using local ingredients from the Hudson Valley, and to only bake in quantities that are guaranteed to sell.
For a taste of a space, he participates in local events like farmer’s markets and festivals, and he even hosts a monthly pop up at his family restaurant Mama Mia’s. But for the online cookie community, his Instagram feed is just as effective in showcasing his ooey, gooey, melty creations all up close and personal. And while cookies are his cornerstone; he’ll be ringing in donuts soon, too!
Most popular order:
Ultimate Chocolate Chip
Anthony’s favorite:
Bittersweet Brownie
Party pick:
The Sampler – a variety pack of 21-24 individually wrapped cookies of up to 3 flavors – but with options like Spumoni, White Chocolate Cherry, Espresso Dark Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Lava and so much more…you may need more than one box!