B & K Bakery – Hackensack, NJ: the definition of “serendipitous” is digging thru your
freezer and finding a B & K Crumb
Cake that you purchased, froze and forgot about four (4) months ago. Now, I’ve been known to travel over 2 hours
from my home in Pennsylvania on a Saturday morning, just to purchase a (no,
actually several) B & K Crumb Cakes. If you didn't grow up in the NY Metro area you don't know anything about Crumb Cake! I remember the crumb cake at the Gold Medal Bakery (might be "Bell Bakery") on Wood Avenue in Linden. Like the Linden bakery the B & K Bakery's retail space is so crowded you need to get a “Jersey” attitude
and don’t let anyone muscle you out of the queue or it's a long morning.
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| Crumb Cake |
The Crumb Cake is probably a product of German or Austrian bakers. The pastry is unique in style with at least a 50/50 crumb to cake ratio. The cake part has a somewhat substantial yeast based bottom to hold the weight of the crumb topping. If a bakery tries to sell you crumb cake with icing or fruit, walk away.
You just can't get honest to goodness crumb cake outside of the NYC metro area. I'd venture to say, that I-287 is the southern crumb cake boarder.
Sure, the ride from PA is
crazy but the crumb cake payoff is worth the trip. More crumbs than cake! The only drawback to this adventure is
that I can’t resist sneaking a piece during the drive home. Those of you who understand Crumb Cake know
what I’m talking about . . . an immediate explosion of powdered sugar and crumbs
all over the car.
As a
self-proclaimed “Bakery Junky,” I can unabashedly say, “I’ve never met a bakery
that I didn’t like” and crumb cake is an incredible childhood memory. B &K should be
on your “to do” list when you’re in North Jersey, as it has a yummy selection
of cakes, donuts, bread, black & white cookies and don’t miss the Breakfast
Rings. My favorite is the Pecan Ring
paired with a Dunkin coffee. OMG!
Oh yeah,
bring lots of cash. You know the saying,
“in God we trust, all others pay cash!”
No, plastic here.
Keep food frolicking and visit your local bakery.
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