Able Baker Brings Treats to Your Maplewood Table

Unless there is someone whipping up a batch of cupcakes in the back of a nail salon, there hasn't been a bakery in Maplewood for some time. Now, there may not be a storefront, but if you're pining for some sweet treats, you might want to park yourself in front of the computer and surf on over to www.TheAbleBaker.com. 

When she was laid off from her job in retail at the end of 2008, Julie Pauly did what so many of us are–she went looking for work. After months of fruitless searching, Pauly e-mailed 35 friends, offering up Easter cookies and Passover treats. Pauly had long been baking in her home, gifting friends with treats along the way. The buttery taste must have lingered on their palates, because that e-mail would turn Pauly's passion for baking into a business: The Able Baker.

Let's delve into that name.  Pauly's son Declan loves the stories of Richard Scarry, some of which feature a mouse named Able Baker Charlie (a play on the radiotelephony spelling alphabet).  "He was really taken with this one story and started calling me Able Baker Julie, 'cause I was always baking something in the kitchen – and he is Able Baker Declan."

Pauly uses "good raw materials" in her baking, and you can taste it. She uses no artificial ingredients, preferring organic whenever possible, and Callebaut fine Belgian chocolate.  Pauly takes said materials and transforms them into a cookie that will transport you to another place, even if that place is only in your head.  When you bite into one of The Able Baker's cookies, your taste buds will recognize flavors that your brain didn't realize it could pick out of a cookie anymore. Sugar and shortbread co-mingle in the oven with Julie-Os, Pauly's take on Oreo cookies.  Pauly rents space at a commercial kitchen, and everything from The Able Baker is made to order.   

Aptly named, these morsels are well made by an able baker and will leave you wanting more.

*Order Passover goodies by this Friday night for free Monday or Tuesday delivery.  Reading this on the weekend?  Pauly said that whenever possible, she will fill orders past the cut off. An email for Easter treats will be sent out shortly – head over to www.theablebaker.com and sign up for the mailing list.