Thunder Prairie Baking Company

I was excited to visit Thunder Prairie Baking Company after reading about it online. As a matter of fact, it was my one bakery I had actually noted in my planner to visit when in OKC. European style? I'm there! So, this morning I made my way to Midtown in OKC to the Plaza Court Building off of 10th Street on Classen. Another brick warehouse building housing several different places, I drove up to the front of Thunder Prairie. I could hardly wait to see for myself if this bakery was indeed what their website described. I stepped into the cafe and smiled as I recognized the antique brass floor lamps from the online pictures. The wooden bakery cases told you that you were in for a real "treat" for sure. One case displayed cookies, brownies, pastries of different sorts. The other display revealed a large Red Velvet Cake and jumbo Red Velvet Cake Balls which made me ask myself if it really was too early in the morning to enjoy a slice of cake. I had to remind myself that my intent was to try the Chocolate Croissant, so I stuck with my original plan and tacked on a Chocolate Chip Cookie to my order as well as a Mocha. I took my plate of goodies and sat at the nearest table that offered me the best view of this cafe. I wanted to take it all in. Old music played softly overhead which I love for a cafe. I got up to retrieve my coffee and was impressed with the cinnamon swirl on top...nice touch! While the cafe felt new and clean, Thunder Prairie stayed true to the old cafe feel. I watched as a customer walked in and grabbed a fresh baguette from the basket which was setting between the counters on a display. Other breads were displayed in baskets behind the counter with labels tempting you to buy each one. How can one pass up fresh breads? Above the counter were three chalkboard menues...Breakfast, Sandwiches, Salads. I studied them and thought, what a wonderful place to stop in for lunch. But, it was morning, and I had a croissant in front of me waiting to be tasted. The crust was flaky and had a nice powdered sugar coat, the center oozed with chocolate? Now, I believe I know where the best croissants are (a Texas spot I'll soon share), so no other croissant can measure up. However, TPBC's spin on the flaky pastry was satisfying. I sipped my mocha and found it to be average. Certainly not a place I would visit just for the lattes. The cookie was fresh, soft full of chocolate chips - yummy! The feel of the place and the menu boards would certainly get me to visit again. And, the fact that everything is made fresh daily is reason enough to frequent this artisan bakery. Also, handmade signs were posted at the door that gave specials to those in the Legal profession would receive 30% off their order on Tuesdays and Wednesdays were "Scrub Day" (those in the medical profession, in case you missed that one). Now that's community, and I give a thumbs up to TPBC for this! Also, if you're not like me and don't carry a book with you, there are newspapers, magazines and books available by the front door. I'm glad I discovered Thunder Prairie Baking Company, and I look forward to having lunch there on my next OKC visit.

http://www.prairiethunderbaking.com/

Tart Bakery

For a gal like me who loves bakeries, Tart is THE place to be! As you can see in my picture above, it is colorful, whimsical and just plan happy. The case is filled with every type of pastry I could possibly wish for. I settle on the Red Velvet cupcake and the Chocolate Crackle cookie. It was a hard decision to make passing up all the other treats perfectly displayed. In the past, Tart had a small table for two in front of their window. This has been replaced by two larger tables that seat four at a table. Smart move! Tart is way too cute to just get your treats to go. Instead, I opt to sit at a table and enjoy my cupcake. Another star for Tart is the fact that they offer fork and napkins so that I'm not stuck licking my fingers. Now, I like my cupcakes to be on the moist side (just a personal preference); my Red Velvet was a little too dry for my liking, but still enjoyable especially with the oh-so-dreamy frosting. You can browse around their little boutique at some of the cute items they have for sale such as cake plates and birthday items. If I had guests in town, I would certainly treat them to Tart Bakery...little girls would be in heaven! The apothecary jars filled with candy make the child within come out to play. The Chocolate Crackle cookie was moist and then some. I had to slow myself down to actually enjoy every bite. This chocolate cookie sprinkled with powdered sugar was well worth the trip to Dallas. I would order a dozen and give away as gifts...sure to make me your new best friend! And the staff? They were welcoming, and obliged my request for a photo op. I only wish I had had more time to soak it all in. Thanks Tart Bakery for making me smile!
http://tartbakerydallas.com

Creme de la Cookie

For my first blog, I ventured to Creme de la Cookie located in Snider Plaza in Dallas. When I entered the door of Creme de la Cookie, I was immediatly drawn in by the excitement of a new bakery (new for me, that is). So many tempting flavors were popping out at me that I immediately went into panic mode...oh no, should I choose the Scarlet O'Hara cupcake? Perhaps one of the cookies that they are known for...oh wait, the whoopie pies displayed in a glass cake dome. It's as if each catagory was saying, "Pick me!" I settled on a cupcake. Yet, with so many tempting flavors I decided to get the advice of Counter Cupcake Gal. She informed me that Scarlet O'Hara was the top choice of customers, but her personal favorite was the Chocolate Vanilla...chocolate cake with vanilla icing. I put my trust in her and ordered the Chocolate Vanilla. While paying, I peeked over her shoulder and had an "AHHHHH" moment...the espresso machine! Now we're talking! "And I'll take a Chai Latte, please." Counter Cupcake Gal was just as sweet as the treats being served. I chose a table by the window in order to see the flat screen which was set to Food Network. However, this, I learned, was not the best place to be when drinking coffee in the dead heat of Texas summer! The bakery was a bit on the warm side, and with each customer that walked in, more cool air escaped. I peeled back the double cupcake liners and sunk my teeth into the edge of the chocolate cake. The second bite required some of the vanilla frosting with chocolate sprinkles...voila! The flavor combination was magnifique! The cake was moist, to the point of it falling into pieces. I looked for a fork, but there were none. So, like a five year old, I picked up the crumbled cupcake with my fingers which left me with sticky, icing-coated fingertips just waiting to be licked. Yep, the manners went out the door! The coffee was equally delicious...good enough to just visit for the coffee itself! I can't wait to go back and try a cookie or a whoopie pie!

http://cremedelacookie.com/