By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
The ovens are heating up and the menus are expanding as bakeries across town prepare for their busiest – and sweetest – season of the year. The North Star Reporter spoke with four local bakeries to learn what’s on their holiday menus.
Eat Eat Hooray – 30 South Bulfinch St., North Attleborough
Open Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
North Star Reporter: What are your upcoming holiday offerings?
Owner Jennifer Howe: We offer sourdough, cinnamon rolls, English muffins, brownies and other sweet treats. For Thanksgiving, we’re trying new sourdough flavors, like pumpernickel and cranberry-brie.
NSR: Are preorders required?
Howe: We stock our outdoor greenhouse stand on Friday mornings, but sell out quickly. Weekly menus are posted on the Eat Eat Hooray Facebook page and orders can be emailed ahead of time to ensure your items are ready for pickup on Friday.
NSR: Do you have a personal favorite to bake – or enjoy?
Howe: I love making all the different flavors of sourdough bread.
NSR: Pumpkin spice: like it or leave it?
Howe: Pumpkin spice? Absolutely!
The Pastry Box – 3 Man Mar Drive, Unit 11, Plainville
pastryboxinfo@gmail.com | 508-695-5094
Open Tuesday–Thursday, 8 a.m-5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-noon; closed Monday
North Star Reporter: What are your upcoming holiday offerings?
Owner Kerri Noone: Mostly pies – we offer over 14 flavors. Pies are 10 inches and come with real whipped cream and we always use fresh apples. Fresh-baked dinner rolls are also available.
NSR: Are preorders required?
Noone: Preorders are the best way to ensure we have what you’d like in stock, but we do set up the tables in the front of the store with extra pies and rolls for walk-ins. We take orders over the phone, too.
NSR: Do you have a personal favorite to bake – or enjoy?
Noone: I don’t personally, but everyone goes crazy for the apple pie.
NSR: Pumpkin spice, like it or leave it?
Noone: Like it – you’ve got to have it this time of the year.
Oven Essence – 20 North Washington St., North Attleborough
ovenessencebakery@gmail.com | 508-316-3128
Open Monday–Wednesday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday
North Star Reporter: What are your upcoming holiday offerings?
Owner Laura West: We always do pies this time of year, and have about 12 different flavors ready to go. However, we are a scratch kitchen and can always accommodate requests. A rotating menu with items like pumpkin whoopie pies and gingersnaps updates frequently.
NSR: Are preorders required?
West: We are taking preorders and always amp up extras for walk-ins. People can call to place an order, and we’re also open 10 a.m – 4 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving.
NSR: Do you have a personal favorite to bake – or enjoy?
West: I always go for our cinnamon rolls and breakfast pastries. Our turnovers are great; we make our own puff pastry from scratch.
NSR: Pumpkin spice: like it or leave it?
West: Love it!
Whisk and Paddle – 111 N. Washington St., North Attleborough
whiskandpaddlebakery@gmail.com | 508-695-2253
Open Wednesday–Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday
North Star Reporter: What are your upcoming holiday offerings?
Sam Daley, front of house: We usually sell individual-sized cheesecakes and pies, but during the holidays we do full-sized in a variety of flavors on our website (whiskandpaddle.com/holidaymenu). We have many requests for a blueberry pie from customers, so we added that this year.
NSR: Are preorders required?
Daley: Not required, but recommended. We always have a variety of treats on hand, like themed cupcakes, chocolate pops and cookies.
NSR: Do you have a personal favorite to bake – or enjoy?
Daley: I wait every year for the pumpkin whoopie pies, but the raspberry and cinnamon rolls are also to die for.
NSR: Pumpkin spice: like it or leave it?
Daley: Leave it.