The tour of artisan bakers from Bucharest. Christmas ideas for those looking for alternatives to supermarket products
Every December, some streets of Bucharest begin to smell of delicious cozonac, made with butter, oranges, cocoa and so on. Most self-respecting artisan bakeries begin preparations for slow kneading and proper leavening. In the following, we present some of the offers, without the pretense that the list is exhaustive.
We went through the capital in a careful tour of some of the most appreciated addresses to identify the artisan cakes for the Christmas table. We must specify that they are much more expensive than those we find in supermarkets, sometimes even ten times more expensive. The high price, however, reflects the quality ingredients and the observance of some culinary traditions without which Christmas would lose a bit of its charm. So, below is a generous list of places where you can buy sensational artisan cakes.
Syrupy cake from Zelateria – Aviatorilor 65
Zelateria's syrupy shortbread has something theatrical about the way it's presented. Russian recipe reinterpreted, a dough braided and then left to absorb an alcohol syrup that completely changes its personality. It's a decadent, bold cake. If you want something spectacular on the table and are not afraid of the idea of a dessert with a touch of strength, this is the place. What else can you say that Ana Consulea, the one responsible for the wonders here, is one of the most respected and appreciated confectioners here. Such a cake costs 160 lei / 1kg piece.
Few and flawless ingredients at the Core – DI Mendeleev 43
Miez remains one of the sanctuaries of good bread in Bucharest, and their bakers keep the same philosophy: few and impeccable ingredients. Whether you choose it with walnut cream, with raisins and shit or with poppy seeds, the dough is not overly sweet, and the filling is dense, fragrant, with a natural taste. They also have a heavy, 800–900g, rich and springy babka, as serious as a cozonac grown in peace. They all cost 150 lei and weigh around 1 kg.
A cake “with everything” at Bakings – Ilarie Chendi 28
In the small Bakings workshop, the cake is treated with solemnity. Each piece weighs approximately 1.2 kg and is a compendium of flavors: specialty cocoa, Romanian walnut, orange pulp, raisins, peel and candied orange. The slow-leavened overnight dough is lightly syruped and glazed, giving it a texture that combines fluffy with juicy. It's a generous cake, “with everything”, as the grandparents would say, but made with modern techniques. The price for a cozonac is 150 lei.
A classic recipe reinterpreted at Atelierul de Tarte – Ion Mihalache 20
At Atelierul de Tarte, the traditional cozonac is the fine reinterpretation of a classic recipe. The nut, chocolate and natural flavors are subtly dosed, and the cake has that professional pastry laboratory elegance. It's an ideal option if you want a balanced dessert, neither too syrupy nor heavy, but just the right amount. The price is 139 lei.
At Băcănia Veche, on Barbu Văcărescu 49, you have to sign up on the list to get a cozonac
Here, the atmosphere is that of an old household, with the smell of “handmade” cakes. Their cake, available only to order, is kneaded in the traditional style, without haste, with that air of genuine celebration. The fluffiness is their signature, Mihai Tudosei is the guarantor of quality, and the fact that you have to sign up on the list says it all: whoever catches one, keeps it carefully for the table. The price is 150 lei, with an advance of 50 lei upon order.
A well-leavened cake at Angeline Cake Boutique, Doctor Iacob Felix 59
At Angeline Cake Boutique, the window looks more like a small museum of artisan sweets, and their babka has already become a landmark. With pistachio, hazelnut or chocolate, each cake is a rich, glossy spiral with an intense cocoa and butter scent. Their texture has that perfect elasticity that you look for in a well-leavened cake, and the flavors – either intense pistachio or dense chocolate – give an international air to a dessert that still remains Romanian in the end. The prices are reasonable, from 125 to 165 lei, depending on the filling.
Vegan muffin from Pain Plaisir – Barbu Văcărescu 49
Pain Plaisir brings an interesting option: a surprisingly fluffy vegan cake (80 lei / 1pc 425g), alongside Enchanté – an elegant variant with walnuts, candied orange and brown raisins (115 lei / 1pc 700g). Their cakes are not big, but they are works of finesse, with a Parisian air, where the texture is as important as the aroma. Suitable for those looking for a refined, not necessarily traditional dessert.
Artizanii by Demetra Organic Bakery – bld. 1 May 28
Demetra works with the rigor of a serious bakery: cakes with a lot of nut, cocoa and shit, all in the area of 95 lei and almost a kilogram. Their strict order taking schedule says a lot about how carefully they dose their capacity. The buns have a rustic appeal, they are round, heavy and tasty, as you would imagine in a bakery that emphasizes ingredients and tradition.
Italian spirit at Casa del Pan – Poland 89
Casa del Pan brings a bit of the Italian spirit to Bucharest, and this is also felt in their selection: classic cozonac or panettone with chocolate or candied fruit. The cozonac is airy, elastic, well browned (130 lei), and the panettone has that texture with large cells, specifically Italian (140 lei). It's the right place if you want a dessert that combines Romanian tradition with Mediterranean elegance. Orders can be placed until December 19.
Traditionally “clean” at Bread and Spices – Pipera Road 4
At Bread and Spices, the pastry is treated as a premium product, starting with the French flour and ending with the carefully selected walnut, cocoa and raisin filling. It weighs around 1 kg and respects the simplicity of the Romanian recipe, but with impeccable technical precision. It's the ideal cake for those who want the traditional “clean”, without fireworks, but made at a high level. The mat is 110 lei.
Cozonac from naturally leavened dough at Hug – Occidentului 8
At HUG you find naturally leavened dough with mayo, brave ingredients and textures that make you forget that it's winter outside and focus on each individual slice, with a buttery, nutty flavor and that depth that's hard to describe. The bakery promotes fresh and authentic baked goods, and their scones are no exception, bringing a touch of urban elegance to the holiday table. The price of a cozonac here is 145 lei.
“Christmas Premium” at Gluten Glory – Child 20A
On the other hand, if you like places with a more eclectic vibe and a window that catches your eye at first glance, don't skip Gluten Glory. Here you'll find festive winter products that include seasonal reinterpretations – even scones (such as walnut and cocoa or praline ones) go in the “Christmas premium” direction, with generous textures and more refined ingredients. The prices jump a little above the mainstream area, but it's the place where you can explore a cozonac that is more than just dessert. The cake with pralines costs 185 lei / 1 kg, and the cake with cocoa 175 lei / 1 kg.
