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It's all about the Baked Goods, Babe

Writer's picture: GFP StaffGFP Staff

The temperature will soon dip to a bone-chilling 80 degrees, and palm fronds will float wistfully to the ground. It's almost autumn in Florida, baby. As hot girl summer makes way for full girl fall, it's time to stock up on carbohydrates. But who has the best baked goods around town? Let's chat ciabatta!


Lakelanders (and pretty much everybody) love Born & Bread Bakehouse. They were voted Best Bakery in this year's Best of LKLD (and every other year). "Each day, our lifework is to make the highest quality product, to maintain excellence, to serve our community with our hands and our hearts, and to work as a team with love and empathy. Together we will create, learn, and travel through life. We were made for greatness," says Born & Bread Bakehouse. Each Saturday, resident baking badass, owner Jenn Smurr and her team make fresh bread, cookies, pastries, breakfast sammies, and other handcrafted treats that the community craves. On Wednesdays, Born & Bread is a hub for hungry patrons seeking bread, pastries, breakfast, and lunch. We recommend, well, everything… But to be more specific, you haven't lived until you've had a B+B baked pot pie (which you can order hot or get a take + bake) or their Benton's BLT finished with a scallion cream cheese, crisp butter lettuce, and fresh tomatoes. Second place is Publix, and third is Meraki Bakehouse.


(Croissant in pic from B&B)


BORN & BREAD BAKEHOUSE 1113 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 450-4513 bornandbreadbakehouse.com


If you're on the county's east side, check on this year's Best of Haven 2023 Best Bakery. Honeycomb Bread Bakers won again?! You bread-er believe it. We hear they buttered up the voters. Benjamin Vickers "first lit the hearth" in February 2018 and opened his Winter Haven storefront two years ago (I remember it like it was yeast-erday) in a renovated 1960s gas station. Honeycomb has become a choice breakfast and lunch destination offering a selection of coffee and tea and sought-after sustenance like truffle fries, baked brie and apple butter, bagels and schmear, salads, and sandwiches on their freshly baked bread. Grab a loaf of sourdough to go! Second place was Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop, followed by Publix Bakery.


HONEYCOMB BREAD BAKERS 140 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 662-5513 honeycombbread.com


BONUS BREAD!

Best Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market Vendor just so happens to be one of our fave bakers, Bandidas. Their goodies are to die for! Gabby and Gio are the oh-so-sweet couple behind this Lakeland pop-up cafe. According to Bandidas, "Connection is at the core of everything we do. Through the lens of food, we strive to create inclusive spaces where everyone is welcome. From pop-up markets to wholesale pastries, our menus are ever-evolving to highlight the seasons and our current inspirations." Over savory empanadas and toothsome tres leches the Bandidas babes have cultivated a following that craves their craft kitchen fare. Visit this Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market mainstay for some of the tastiest treats and best vibes around. (Pro tip: check out their online cake orders. I'm getting a guava and cream cheese layer cake for my birthday!) You can find them online or pick them up at Agape Agora and Cafe Zuppina.


BANDIDAS FB: Bandidas IG @bandidas_lkld bandidaslkld.com

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