The Best New Bakeries in Toronto, 2011

The best new bakeries in Toronto from 2011 might be churning out the same old things as ever, but they are, however, doing it remarkably well. There's nothing new about a shop devoted to cupcakes, the perfect French baguette, or classic homestyle baking. There are even more than a few options for gluten-free baking in Toronto.

Yet many of the best new bakeries in Toronto fall into these categories, managing to distinguish themselves by the sheer quality and taste of their baked goods. So, while on the surface it may seem like a whole lot of the same, a couple dollops of buttercream and a warm, fluffy cinnamon bun would do wonders to change our minds. Here is the list of the best new bakeries in Toronto for 2011.

See also:

The best new bakeries in Toronto 2010
The best new bakeries in Toronto 2009

Bakerbots

Rosanne Pezzeli’s indulgent ice cream sandwiches were the ‘it’ drug of summer 2011. Indeed, the combination of Ed’s Burnt Marshmallow ice cream and one of Rosanne’s chewy ‘Everything’ cookies had some wicked powers of seduction. Teasing us with limited hours, this bakery crafted itself into first place this year with its homestyle baked goods and classic French macarons. More »

Prairie Girl Bakery

The cupcake is not dead! Or else, if it is, it was slightly revived this year with the opening of Prairie Girl Bakery in the Financial District (even suits need some strawberry buttercream once in a while, after all). Later opening a second location in First Canadian Place, this cupcake-only shop serves my personal favourite for fluffy, flavourful cakes and indulgent buttercream icing. More »

Le Matin

Though J.P. Challet opened his Leslieville bakery quite late in 2011, it quickly garnered the attention of those pining for the perfect French baguette. Croissants, clatouti, brioche and more all lined the pastry shelves, with French radio humming in the background and a ‘bonjour’ waiting for you at the door. Probably about as French as you’ll get without leaving Toronto. More »

Canadian Pie Company

Anything with ‘pie’ in its name is an automatic winner, but when it combines pie with brunch, well, that’s the icing on the cake. Or, uh, ice cream on the pie, if you will. Canadian Pie Company introduced Riverside to its chewier, croissant-like version of the pie crust early in 2011, offering lots of choices of fruit, cream, and savoury meat varieties. Then came brunch, and Canadian Pie Company had people swooning. More »

Cliffside Hearth

What started in a backyard wood-burning oven evolved into a Scarborough retail hub for some of the freshest, all natural bread around. The prices may be a little steeper than most, but the sweet raisin bread and crispy French baguettes have gotten people talking, and not about the price. Cliffside Hearth is mom and pop all the way. More »

Goodbye Gluten

A gluten-free haven opened up in North York the summer of 2011, with its own onsite chef and a plethora of gluten-free goods. The bakery offers everything typically off-limits for those struggling with intolerance, while the pantry shelves stock all the ingredients to make them at home. Chances are, though, you can’t top the carrot cake already ready to take home. More »

Knead Bakery

Knead Bakery is one of those places that epitomizes ‘homestyle.’ Fluffy cinnamon buns, fresh breads, sweet cakes and more, all prepared in an open kitchen with aproned owners bustling about. A ‘know your name’ type of bakery. Now, with a small outpost in Leslieville inside Plan B. More »

Desmond & Beatrice

While Torontonians have been privy to Desmond & Beatrice sweets for some time now, its first centralized retail location just opened in 2011. The shop is stocked with D&B’s signature cupcakes, of course, as well as cookies, squares, bars, whoopie pies, and homemade raspberry lemonade. More »

Short and Sweet Cupcakes

Rounding out the list is (believe it or not) another cupcake shop, this time up at Avenue and Lawrence. What makes this shop special is quite possibly its ‘BBM’ (butterscotch banana cupcake with maple buttercream) cupcake, or else the fact that it is totally nut-free. Lots of seasonal specialty options, each with its own punny name. More »