The Alternative Baker
Try: Lemon cakes
Nestled in Rosendale, The Alternative Baker is the place to go when you’re looking for something that will please everyone. In addition to crafting artisan breads, pastries, and scones, the store also specializes in vegan, dairy free, sugar free, wheat free, gluten free, and organic treats. Order whatever catches your eye, but don’t forget to sample a lemon cake while you’re there. The zesty sweets, made from a 1930s recipe, conjure up serious summertime vibes.
407 Main St, Rosendale, 845.658.3355
The Bakery
Try: Chocolate rugelach
For more than 35 years, The Bakery has been a cornerstone in the New Paltz community. It pairs fresh coffee with homemade challah loaves, sour cream biscuits, sugar free muffins, and so much more. Chow down on baked goods for breakfast or lunch. When you hit the road, pick up a dozen fresh-from-the oven cookies in flavors like peanut butter, gingerbread, sugar, and pumpkin oatmeal. They may just be the perfect base for ice cream sandwiches.
13A N Front St, New Paltz, 845.255.8840
The Bakery at Adams Fairacre Farms
Try: Mini pastry tray
Although local produce and artisan pantry goodies are enough of a reason to go grocery shopping at Adams, the local chain’s sweet-smelling bakeries might just be the not-so-secret reason you refill the contents of your kitchen there. At each location, the bakeries abound with colorful cookie platters, decadent cakes, and artfully layered pastries. With so many sweets to choose from, the only solution is to sample them all via a mini pastry or cookie tray.
1560 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine, 845.336.6300 (Ulster)
1240 Rte 300, Newburgh, 845.569.0303 (Ulster)
765 Dutchess Tpke, Poughkeepsie, 845.454.4330 (Dutchess)
160 Old Post Rd, Wappinger, 845.632.9955 (Dutchess)
Bite Me Bakery
Try: Chocolate mint chip cupcake
The small town Phoenicia bakery might have a sassy name, but its in-store offerings are sugary sweet. Visitors rave about the cupcakes, which come in memorable varieties like cannoli, lemon, and chocolate mint chip. The sweets might not be over-the-top in presentation, but they are unforgettable in taste.
5575 NY-28, Phoenicia, 845.688.3397
Bread Alone Bakery
Try: Certified organic sourdough rye
Bread Alone is a powerhouse in the Hudson Valley. With four locations scattered throughout the region and a presence at farmers markets and shops all they way down to New York City, the acclaimed bakery is nothing less than an expert on all things flour and yeast. If you go to one of the Valley locales for lunch, order an avocado toast with homemade bread. On your way out, pick up a round of certified organic sourdough rye. Made with organic rye flour milled from New York State wheat, the bread is delightful on its own or with a corned beef sandwich.
2121 Ulster Avenue, Lake Katrine
, 845.657.3328 (Ulster)
3962 Route 28, Boiceville
 (Ulster)
45 East Market Street, Rhinebeck 
(Dutchess)
22 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock (Ulster)
Cakes and pastries at Deising’s Bakery / Photos courtesy of venue
Deising’s Bakery
Try: Cinnamon bread
You can thank Deising’s for bringing the best of European bakeries to the Hudson Valley. With two outposts in Kingston, the family-owned shop has been a community cornerstone since 1965. It offers a variety of fresh breads, like marble rye, cracked wheat, Tuscan Italian, and challah, every day. During breakfast hours only, the bakery serves its sweet cinnamon swirled bread. Toast up a slice of it with a pat of butter and relive your childhood glory days. Did we mention there are shelves upon shelves of pastries too?
111 North Front St, Kingston, 845.338.7505
584 Broadway, Kingston, 845.338.1580
Frida’s Bakery & Café
Try: Croissant amande
It seems unlikely that one bakery could do so many things so well, but that’s precisely the case at Frida’s. Every day, it serves up handmade croissants, danishes, bagels, scones, baguettes, and more to hungry patrons for breakfast, lunch, or on the road. Keep an eye out for daily specials or go European with the croissant amande, a buttery pastry filled and topped with almond frangipane. Gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options are readily available too.
26 Main St, Milton, 845.795.5550
Hudson Valley Dessert Company
Try: All-butter cookies
When it comes to flavor profiles, Hudson Valley Dessert Company falls on the sweeter end of the bakery spectrum. The Saugerties business, which won our Best of Hudson Valley 2017 Editors’ Pick for Best Bakery, specializes in sweets of all sorts, from themed cakes to crunchy biscotti and snackable granola. For a fun alternative to cupcakes, order a bundle of the custom iced all-butter cookies. Made with pure vanilla extract and designed to resemble any animal or object under the sun, these treats delight kids and kids-at-heart.
264 Main St, Saugerties, 845.246.1545
Photo courtesy of Newburgh Flour Shop
Newburgh Flour Shop
Try: Blueberry scone
A newcomer to the bakery scene (it opened at the end of August 2018), Newburgh Flour Shop is the sister storefront to Liberty Street Bistro, the darling eatery run by culinary whiz Michael Kelly and his wife, Alexandra. Seating is limited at the grab-and-go location, but options are not. Sample artfully spiraled croissants, crumbly buttermilk scones, and crusty loves of bread that are practically begging to be dipped into olive oil. With a CIA grad behind the sweet and savory offerings, expect the menu to change often.
Sweet Maresa’s
Try: Matcha sesame macaron
The partnership between Sweet Maresa’s and Lagusta’s Luscious is something of a godsend for vegans in the Valley. Try the pillowy macarons, which come in flavors like caramel fig and cookies and cream. You’ll find the French confections and a number of other pastry-related treats at both Lagusta’s and Commissary! in New Paltz.
25 N Front St, New Paltz, 845.706.3626
