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Local Bakeries Make Our Taste Buds Tingle
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Anonymous user Fri Nov 17, 2006 09:15:16 PST
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0 responses 0 comments We all know the holidays mean food and lots of it. While many may think of tables filled with turkeys, hams and a surplus of side dishes, desserts are the real excitement. From sugar-glazed cookies to cakes, pies and more, nothing says “Happy Holidays” like something sweet. The following local bakeries offer unique specialties for the season that we are sure you are going to want to incorporate into your holiday festivities this year.

Smith’s Bakery
  Known to be one of the classics in town, Smith’s Bakery offers various Christmas delicacies for the holidays including specialty cookies, cakes and Panettone bread, a traditional Italian loaf.
  The Panettone bread is steeped with Italian history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is a rich egg bread with raisins and candied fruit traditionally eaten by the Milanese on Christmas day.
  However, it is the bakery’s decorative cookies that are quite intricate and detailed in design. They include designs such as  Santa Claus faces, stars and Christmas trees with sprinkles, poinsettias and reindeer all decorated in their respective shapes.
  Perhaps the most unique cookies are those that Smith’s has trademarked. Straight from the creative genius of Jim Ballmain, owner of Smith’s since the early ‘80s, customers have come to love the large pink pig with festive holiday garland around its neck as well as the iconic and much-loved Alliog.
  The Alliog is a Smith’s original cookie, which is a cross between an alligator head and frog’s feet. The Alliog is Ballmain’s creation that can be special ordered any time of the year. However, during the holidays, Ballmain decorates the Alliog for the season with a Santa hat.  Ballmain has even written a book titled “Olli and the Alliog” which was published within the past few years.
  Smith’s treats are not just for people. Ballmain also serves up gourmet dog biscuits. The dog treats are “Truffles tested,” Truffles being his dog’s name.
  Smith’s says business really picks up this time of year, with more demand for special orders. “Cookie trays are the most popular holiday sell,” said Ballmain. “We are also busy making specialty cakes, a longtime Smith’s tradition.”
  Smith’s has been in business since 1945 and is located at 2808 Union Avenue. In addition to the bakery, some of the items can be found in various grocery stores throughout the city including the Green Frog Market and Smith’s second location in the Southwest at Ashe Road and White Lane.

Sweet Surrender
  Sweet Surrender, a more recently established bakery, also has a wide variety of holiday treats for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  Perhaps the most popular holiday item at Sweet Surrender is their bread pudding. This feel-good favorite possesses numerous flavors such as white chocolate, cinnamon raisin, cranberry/orange and dark “chocolate chocolate.”
Other specialties include cheesecakes, homemade gingerbread cookies, spicy gingersnaps, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, caramel apples, homemade fudge and breads.
  When it comes to the top-selling item, Sweet Surrender is known for their Hershey’s triple chocolate cake. Other exclusive items include cobblers made from scratch and Tiramisu, crafted from a well-tested recipe.
  Kim Fiorini has been in business for 17 years. “The store started out as a small chocolate shop,” said Fiorini. “I never imagined that I would one day own and operate a bakery that has evolved into a feel-good place.”
  Sweet Surrender is not just a bakery, it is also a mini shopping destination. The store is decorated seasonally and sells specialty gifts as well. “It’s a place for people to come and take a break,” said Fiorini. “Whether it is sitting down for a coffee or browsing for fun gifts, the store experience is quite entertaining.”
Sweet Surrender is located at 6439 Ming Avenue.

Cookies By Design
  Cookies by Design, the original cookie bouquet company, is a registered trademark company and has been in business nationally since 1983. The franchise, with a little over 200 stores, has been in Bakersfield since 1997.
  The cookies are made from scratch and all are hand decorated. The franchise has the license to design all of the Disney, Winnie the Pooh and Curious George characters in addition to various holiday designs.
  The holidays are quite a busy time for the company. From mid-October to January 1st business increases about 50 to 60 percent. Holiday cookies are whimsical and include all types of design. Reindeers with Christmas lights and caroling children are just a few of the lines created during the holidays.
The cookies are often arranged in a bouquet-style arrangement and are contained in baskets, cookie jars and beautiful ceramic pieces. Cookie and holiday platters are also available. The bouquets make wonderful gifts in the workplace and business accounts are available.
The company is also unique in the way the cookies are designed. Cookies can be made in the shape of a napkin ring with an image on it and used for dinner parties. They also make decorated greeting cards which are a nice alternative to the traditional one.
The shop also offers a full selection of gourmet cookies such as chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and sugar flavors. Brownies made from scratch are also a specialty.
In addition to the holidays, Cookies By Design’s cookies are often purchased in conjunction with birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. For weddings they can make the centerpiece out of a cookie bouquet as well as create small table gifts.
Cookies by Design can be found on the Web at www.cookiesbydesign.com and is located at 3665 Rosedale Highway.

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