Nothing beats the memories as a kid baking cookies with grandma or picking up a birthday cake with mom from the local bakery. Baking is a part of any celebration in the United States; birthdays, weddings, holidays. But where did bakeries originate? For that, we have to go back in time to the Egyptian era.
It’s been recorded that in the years of 2600 – 2100 BC, bread baking was practiced by Egyptians who learned the skill from the Babylonians. Breads were really the foundation for baked goods during this time, all the way up until the colonial-era in the United States, Bakeries at the time were the social hot spots where people gathered to warm up during cold weather and gossip over a slice of warm bread.
Today, there are many different types of bakeries in the United States. They range from small businesses specializing in only one or two items, to a large industry where there is a supply of retailers and packaged goods. Franchise bakeries are also common with their large organizations and numerous spots all over the nation. There are also specific bakeries that specialize in only one item like bagels, cupcakes or wedding cakes.
Bread and cake were somewhat interchangeable words with the term “cake” being used for smaller breads. The earliest example was found among the remains of Neolithic villages where archaeologists discovered simple cakes made from crushed grains, moistened, compacted and probably cooked on a hot stone. Today’s version of this early cake would be oatcakes, though now we think of them more as a biscuit or cookie, which is much sweeter compared to the original food.
In an area like Northern Westchester, there are countless opportunities wherever you go, to get a great meal or sweet treat from locally owned spots. A great bakery option in Northern Westchester is Baked by Susan located in the quaint village of Croton-on-Hudson. An area that lives in history!
Opening in the fall of 2010 Baked By Susan is proud to say that our bakery uses mostly vintage bakery equipment. From our gigantic oven, our antique mixer and our retro stove top, all of these unique supplies are visible through the glass windows at the front of the bakery. It gives the bakery a very old-fashioned feel, as well as providing customers with the opportunity to see their yummy treats being made from scratch. History comes to life at Baked By Susan with these vintage baking tools.
Baked By Susan offers an assortment of baked goods from breakfast treats, to breads, cupcakes, wedding cakes and much more! No matter what the occasion is, whether it’s a party or just picking up some scones for mornings at home, Baked By Susan will be able to supply you with all the baked goods you’ll need! For more information contact us today, or stop by at our bakery in Northern Westchester.