This will be a Mother’s Day like no other. Whether your dear mom is sheltering in place alone or hunkering down with a big brood, she deserves to be celebrated like never before. And since she may likely be the one in the family with the baking chops, how about treating her with a gift from the baking pros? Most of the Bay Area’s free-standing bakeries remain open for pickup and/or delivery during this coronavirus crisis. Some offer out-of-state shipping.
Here, in alphabetical order, is a selection of shops that specialize in cakes and pastries. If you have other recommendations, please add them to article commenting below.
NOTE: Make sure to order at least a few days in advance, and keep in mind that some of these bakeries are closed on Sundays.
Amia Bakery, Fremont: Need a gluten-free, vegan, eggless or sugar-free treat? This bakery caters to customers with dietary restrictions. Gluten-free heart-shaped cakes will be available for the holiday. 39095 Fremont Hub; www.amiabakery.com
A Sweet Affair, Walnut Creek: Customers go for this bakery’s chocolate salted caramel and chocolate-covered-strawberry cakes in a big way. Among the classic offerings are the German chocolate cake and Black Forest cakes. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Road; www.asweetaffairbakery.com
Bijan Bakery, San Jose: For Mother’s Day, customers can order rose-shaped or heart-shaped cakes with a mousse filling (guava, mango, raspberry, chocolate and more). Slices of European cakes and other pastries will also be available. 170 S. Market St.; http://bijanbakery.com
Copenhagen Bakery, Burlingame: Princess and Romanoff cakes and petit fours are expected to be very popular this Mother’s Day. Shipping is available for Danish and coffee cakes (the chocolate chip coffee cake is the most popular). 1216 Burlingame Ave.; https://copenhagenbakery.com
Feel Good Bakery, Alameda: At both locations, an array of seasonal fruit tarts, chocolate ganache tarts, carrot cakes, red velvet cakes and more will be available. 1650 Park St., 3215 Encinal Ave.; www.feelgoodbakery.com
Fleur de Cocoa, Los Gatos: Raspberry mousse cakes in full and individual sizes will be baked specifically for Mother’s Day. Order well in advance for those and the full menu of chocolate and fruit cakes and tarts. 39 N. Santa Cruz Ave.; http://fleurdecocoa.com
Flower Flour, San Jose: Top-selling cakes — including the mango, guava, burnt almond and, of course, chocolate — come in full size and individual ones if you want to mix and match for the family. There’s also the foot-long apple strudel to consider. 896 Willow St.; www.flower-flour.com
James and the Giant Cupcake, Oakland: Pick some of the whimsical flavors for May like Smurf, Spring Fling or Pink Lemonade or get the Stay@Home Cupcake Frosting Kit and decorate your own. Free delivery. 465 Second St. and 6326 San Pablo Ave.; www.jamesandthegiantcupcake.com
La Châtaigne, Lafayette: The kouign amann and canele pastries always star on this menu. The tart lineup is still being firmed up for Mother’s Day, but it’s likely to include a customer favorite, lemon brulee, and others. 35 Lafayette Circle; 925-283-3324
La Patisserie, Cupertino: Special heart-shaped cakes for Mother’s Day will join the huge lineup of layer cakes available daily. You can select chocolate heart cake with a raspberry mousse filling or vanilla heart cake with a strawberry-Grand Marnier filling. 19758 Stevens Creek Blvd.; http://lapatisserie.net
Masse’s Pastries, Berkeley: This bakery is offering curbside pickup of spring roulades, organic strawberry custard tarts, chocolate caramel tarts and the daily lineup of layer cakes — all will feature special decor for the holiday. 1469 Shattuck Ave.; www.massespastries.com
Peters’ Bakery, San Jose: These are the folks who introduced the South Bay to burnt almond cake many decades ago, and it’s still the signature dessert here. You’ll also find other layer cakes, fruit pies and an assortment of fancies like eclairs and cream puffs. 3108 Alum Rock Ave.; http://petersbakery.com
Primrose Bakery, Pleasanton: Princess and white chocolate raspberry cakes are popular for Mother’s Day, along with fruit tarts, petits fours and macarons. 350 Main St.; www.primrosebakery.com
#MothersDay 2020: Ways to celebrate mom while sheltering in place. https://t.co/zuY8vOX4Es
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 4, 2020
#MothersDay #playlist: Our favorite mom songs, featuring @pinkfloyd @martinamcbride @DollyParton @OzzyOsbourne @taylorswift13 @2PAC and more https://t.co/Z62i3eetl0
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 4, 2020
A #MothersDay trip to Italy with Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. @berkeleyrep @TheatreWorksSV https://t.co/DaxABEb8Tf
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 4, 2020
