7 savage new cakes and bakes to try in Cork this week
Autumn is for eating.
The cosy coats are back out, thank God, and they’re wonderfully forgiving.
The silly summer diets have been quietly abandoned, the scales shoved into a dark corner where they belong, and the whole business of “eating light” has been conveniently forgotten. What we’re left with is the good bit — the chance to properly lean into the cooler seasons, guilt-free, with a biscuit in one hand and a croissant in the other.
Comfort eating suddenly feels less like a crime and more like a public service — fuelling ourselves against the damp mornings and the early darkness. We’re talking flaky pastries that leave a trail down your jumper and cakes that really demand a pot of tea and a bit of a sit-down.
After all, when the days get shorter and the rain sets in, isn’t that exactly what we need?
Applebee Bakes
Where: Tramway Terrace, Douglas
Ever sunk your teeth into a chocolate espresso roll? What better time than the present? These babies are fresh on the counter alongside the cookie dough pain au chocolate and the pretzel cookies. They’re vegan too, btw.
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Pike Deli
Where: Connolly Street, Clonakilty
There’s always something exciting on the counter at Pike. A ramble in over the weekend, for instance, would have earned you one of these dulce de leche and whiskey cream maritozzi.
As the days get chillier, it’s a fine time to sample their Hungry Crow hot chocolate too, made with Peruvian cocoa powder and coconut blossom sugar. And if you’re staying for lunch (you should) you can now grab a refreshing Palestine Cola to wash down your enormous house sandwich.
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Yumm Cafe
Where: Strand Street, Kanturk
Halloween is Petra Kriva’s time to shine. The scarily talented head chef and owner at Yumm Café has conjured up a frighteningly fantastic selection of ghoulish goodies for her customers.
These pumpkin and coffee cookies are so good you should take a box home for later and you can savour the season with a hot spiced apple to drink while your kids plunder the fully stocked brownie fridge. Open Monday-Saturday 8.30am-5pm.
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Pickled Deli
Where: South Square, Macroom
If you find yourself down Macroom direction, make a beeline for Pickled Deli, where they’ve just introduced a ridiculously good selection of baked creations. There’s these stunning vanilla mascarpone, fig, and honey cruffins and and a new chocolate and hazelnut bun topped with Nutella cream cheese.
The Breakfast in a Bun cruffin is filled with cereal milk custard and topped with crunchy nut cornflakes, honey and roasted peanuts. Who needs a bowl? They open Tuesday to Saturday.
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The Grumpy Bakers
Where: Washington Street, Cork City and Midleton
The Grumpy Bakers have only gone and outdone themselves with a line-up of savage new bakes that are guaranteed to stop you in your tracks. From the indulgent Hazelnut Praline, Caramel & Irish Sea Salt Brioche to the buttery, flaky Blackberry & Homegrown Apple Turnover, there’s something here to satisfy every craving.
Sweet tooths will fall hard for the Biscoff Cruffin, Homegrown Apple Crumble Danish, and a magic Elderberry & Irish Honey Kouign Amann. Get down before 4pm and taste them fresh out of the oven.
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Good Day Deli
Where: Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, Cork City
Got time to grab a seat in a gorgeous garden, sip a cup of coffee and savour a dessert that looks like a piece of art?
Head for Good Day Deli in Nano Nagle Place on Douglas Street and order the Blackrock Forest Gateaux. This URBN Cakes creation involves layers of chocolate sponge, maraschino cherries and chocolate ganache, covered in a dark chocolate ganache and topped with almond cream.
It’s probably the most fun you have by yourself but it’s also great when shared with a friend.
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Dulce Bun House
Where: 48 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork City Centre
Everyone loves a croissant, but at this busy coffee shop, the daily selection now includes pistachio, Kinder, Oreo, Biscoff Lotus and The Rafaello, a white chocolate treat with a generous topping of coconut.
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