It’s never a bad day when there’s cake involved…
Holiday sweaters, group of people singing happy birthday out of tune, these little moments tend to make up the highlights in our lives. So, what do they have in common? They’re almost always punctuated by huge pieces of CAKE.
But why wait for a special occasion just to enjoy a slice of something special?
Whether you have a reason to celebrate or not, we think life is better when there’s cake. Here’s where to get Vancouver’s finest.
Purebread Bakery - 159 W Hastings St and 5 East 5th Ave
Photo: Purebread Facebook
Walking into a Purebread is kind of like stepping into an adult Wonka Factory (without the psychedelics). There are literally mountains of decadent from-scratch-cakes, toppling in your direction. Chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel and every other classic combo you could imagine. Just be prepared to INDULGE!
Sweet Obsession - 2611 W 16th Ave
Real butter, cream and pure Belgian chocolate. Sweet Obsession specializes in full sized cakes made from classic, wholesome ingredients. Their menu features 28+ cakes, each offering a little twist on their iconic flavour profile, like carrot cake with roasted hazelnuts. There are also gluten free options available.
Cadeaux Bakery - 172 Powell St
Talk about sweet! Cadeaux offers huge slabs of moist cakes from their ornate shop between Gastown and Railtown. These are seriously high quality cakes made with the same care and love as a member of your family, or at least a very nice family on TV! Their carrot cake is so good it makes us downright emotional just thinking about it.
Thierry - 1059 Alberni St
If you’re looking for something a little less traditional, Thierry is the place to be. Maitre artisan Chocolatier and Patissier Chef Thierry Busset honed his craft at the hands of the masters, including notable chocolatier Bernard Sicard in Auvergn. Needless to say, Thierry is where to go for stunning cakes that are perfectly suited to any celebration (or snack) in need of a little refinement.
Notte's Bon Ton Pastry - 3150 W Broadway
One of Vancouver’s oldest restaurants also happens to be an essential place for incredibly tasty from handmade cakes. Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry was established in 1926, and for the last 92 years, has offered a wide range of top quality cakes, pastries and baked goods. If you want classic, this is the place to be.
Faubourg - 769 Hornby St, 2156 W 41st Ave and 792 Main Street (Park Royal)
What would a cake round-up be without some offerings from France? Faubourg specializes in delicate French cakes and pastries. From triple chocolate decadence to passion fruit mousse, this bakery/cafe is a must-try for those wishing to be whisked away to Paris. As the saying goes, when craving dessert, do as the French do!
Valley Bakery - 4058 Hastings St
Burnaby’s award-winning traditional bakeshop! Valley Bakery has been in business over 60 years, probably because they offer a HUGE selection of European-inspired cakes made with real whipped creams, buttercreams and custards.
Soirette Pastry Boutique - 1433 W Pender St
Photo: Soirette
Lovingly made from fine ingredients that are as wonderful to taste as they are to look at. Soirette’s incredible looking cakes will help make any occasion feel like a celebration.
Fratelli Bakery - 1795 Commercial Dr
Fratelli Bakery is an award-winning-bakery located on Commercial Drive. Each of their cakes is the result of an original Italian-inspired recipe. Their neighbourhood famous Saint Honore cake is made with a layer of puff pastry on the bottom, topped with a layer of white sponge cake, Bavarian cream, buttercream, and Vermouth. Mmm.
Craving more cake? The Great Canadian Baking Show returns to CBC on September 19, 2018!
Hosted by Dan Levy and Julia Chan, The Great Canadian Baking Show brings together 10 amateur bakers from across the country to compete in a series of themed culinary challenges that celebrate their diverse backgrounds, families and communities.
Each week bakers will compete in three challenges, The Signature Bake, the Technical Bake and the Show Stopper. After the judges taste and critique the bakes, they crown one Star Baker and ask one baker to leave the tent. The final three bakers compete for The Great Canadian Baking Show title. The Great Canadian Baking Show is an affirming, warm-spirited competition that celebrates personal achievement and the joy of baking.
To learn more visit, cbc.ca, or watch now via the CBC TV APP.
