Thanksgiving Desserts Are “Going Like Hot Cakes”

Apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, and cranberry top the flavor list at many downtown Summit bakeries and sweet shops these past few weeks as the countdown to Thanksgiving has begun in earnest. Sidewalk easel signs advertising seasonal selections urge residents to place their orders early to avoid the day-before crunch, and they are answering the call. Business is booming, and what a bounty it is! Customers are purchasing chocolates, nuts, pies, tarts, cookies, cakes, and even ice cream—all delicious ways to put the finishing touch on any holiday meal.

Brownie Points Bakery, which snagged New Jersey Monthly magazine’s “Best Cupcakes in Northern New Jersey” title earlier this year, offers a variety of Thanksgiving themed items, including a pumpkin cheesecake, a pumpkin loaf, extremely moist pumpkin muffins, and of course their award-winning cupcakes. Also on the menu are a variety of 9” deep dish pies: apple crumb, pumpkin, chocolate pecan, sweet potato, walnut and dried cherry, pear, apple, cranberry, and a brown butter pecan that’s absolute nutty-gooey-goodness. The apple crumb pie is made with local apples from New Jersey’s own Race Farms. Some items do need to be ordered in advance, and the bakery will be open for pick-up most of next week, including Thanksgiving Day.

Just because the weather is turning doesn’t necessarily mean it’s too cold for ice cream, as evidenced by the way Applegate Farm’s homemade pumpkin ice cream (which really tastes like pumpkin!) and pumpkin ice cream pies are flying out the door. The historic vendor, which dates back to 1848, customizes and releases several ice cream flavors each season for a limited time. The window for caramel apple ice cream is already closed, but the time is ripe for their cider, Dutch apple, and pumpkin ice creams, all of which will be available until December 31.

The candy box of a store, Sweet Nothings, carries a large selection of holiday-themed chocolates and snack items. Decadent “turkey” petit fours, pumpkin pie and caramel apple truffles, autumnal leaf and turkey-shaped chocolates, chocolate chip cookies in decorated jars, and savory spreads are just a few of the options available. Of particular note is a brand-new addition to Sweet Nothings’ line-up: Mrs. Prindables apples that have been dipped in caramel and drizzled with triple chocolate. The gourmet apples are only available by special order in advance. Sweet Nothings has also decided to give back to the community in the spirit of the season. It is currently the only store in New Jersey retailing the Community FoodBank of New Jersey's Grains for Good bagel chips and donating 100% of their proceeds to the charity.

Natale’s Summit Bakery, a “New Jersey institution since 1938,” is currently taking orders for their many pies (apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, mince, pecan, cherry, and more), tarts, pumpkin nut and cranberry tea breads, pumpkin bread pudding, their gorgeous, luscious pumpkin cheesecakes, and other assorted baked goods. Orders must be placed by Sunday, November 22, for most items, although some things, including Natale’s fun, turkey-shaped sugar cookies, are available for immediate purchase.

No matter where you shop or what you buy, these Summit treats are bound to brighten your table with mouth-watering, festive, fall accents. What’s even better is knowing that most of these desserts are made by hand by local, independent culinary artisans. The trick is to save room for it after the turkey, the stuffing, and the cranberry sauce—before the holiday nap.