Home Baking Co.
Home is a bakery cafe in Bloordale. It's from Bakerbots co-owner Christopher Stopa and features freshly baked goods based on his mother's and grandmother's comforting, country farmhouse recipes.
Home's decor befits its name, with a bright and airy feel grounded in simple yet elegant touches like wood furnishings and exposed brick.
A little window nook at the front is the perfect place to sit and indulge in baked goods or ice cream (or both) while watching people pass by outside.
With the help of head baker Genna Gingerich, who previously worked at Sud Forno and has spent time soaking up the baking ethos in Europe, the recipes use all-natural ingredients like real butter and cream, and more butter and cream. Mmmm.
The treats lovingly displayed on Home's counter will change on a day-to-day basis. For now they include a delectable-looking triple-layer chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, as well as a triple-decker carrot cake with walnuts ($4/small slice, $5/big one).
Mother Stopa's butter tarts ($2.25 each) will be a staple, plus apple pie ($3.75/slice) - or whatever's in season.
Of course, there are made-to-order ice cream sammies ($4/half, $7/full); Bakerbots fans will recognize the rotating ice cream flavours ($2.25/small cup, $3.75/single scoop) - burnt toffee, London Fog, dairy-free raspberry sorbet, etc.
The cookies ($1.50 each), however, are Home's own recipes, with double dark chocolate sea salt, salted white chocolate macadamia, and "circus" (a sugar cookie with round colourful candy sprinkles) just a few of the choices.
Espresso beans are a custom blend from Bona Fide Bean Coffee Co. , and Sloane supplies the specialty teas. Home also sells its own concoction dubbed The Green Goblin: a health-conscious blend of apple, banana, celery, kale, lemon, mint, pear, romaine, spinach and water ($7/Mason jar; $1 back if you return the empty) that has proven popular so far.
Jesse Milns