The best things in life are baked. Truthfully, we couldn’t agree more — there’s nothing better than a melt-in-your mouth dessert, and usually it comes from mom {or dad}. Living in Hoboken, getting freshly baked goods on the reg is not as easy as it sounds — there are a limited number of ma & pa shops that offer walk-in desserts with locally-sourced ingredients. But, lucky for you {and us}, there’s a new local bakery in town that certainly makes that happen: Baking Mama. And if you haven’t been to Baking Mama, the new coffee shop and bakery downtown, you’re missing out.
^The outside of Baking Mama @ 88 Hudson Street
Created by Tina Rivera, who is head ‘baking mama’ herself, Baking Mama opened in spring 2016 at 88 Hudson Street, not far from the PATH on the corner of Newark and Hudson. She offers ready-made desserts, coffee, and custom baked goods [dangerous if your commute involves walking on Hudson and/or Newark Street from the PATH…it’s all too easy to walk down the block for a little sweet ‘after-work treat.’].
^Some of the treats @ Baking Mama
One of Tina’s big sellers is her macaroon selection: salted caramel, lemon, maple bacon, and pistachio are just a *few* of the delicious ones that can grace your lips {read: knock your socks off}. She also makes cake balls {chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla}, and cupcakes and meringues [see the full list here]. But seriously, can we just get back to the maple bacon macaroons? O.M.G. they are so. good.
Not a cake or macaroon fan? Not a problem. Tina also makes homemade cookies from scratch — including chocolate chip, sea salt chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and a few other out-of-this-world flavors. The shop also serves coffee and teas for perfect pairings.
So how did this mom {and former banker} become a stellar baker extraordinaire? Tina shares that her baking beginnings were quite humble. She started in 1994 — a few months prior to the birth of her son {who is actually now a student at Stevens Tech!}. “I was working in a bank and the pregnancy downtime provided me with the opportunity to learn something new. In this case, baking. I was hooked.”
Since that time, Tina has discovered the joy of baking through science, sharing that it wasn’t always pretty — even though it definitely is now. “Through the years, I’ve made hundreds of deformed macarons, burnt cookies, super-mushy cupcakes, tilting cakes, and more. If you want to learn how to bake, all you have to do is bake.”
And her secret to getting better? “No excuses, that’s the only way to learn. There are no shortcuts. I don’t have any secret ingredient nor 100 year-old attic-hidden recipes. My ingredients are simple: focus on quality, patience, passion, faith and a dash of creativity.” Sounds like any career-driven/successful mantra. Loves it.
^Inside the adorable little shop — to the left of this photo is a table where you can sit [they even have free wifi!]
The beautiful part of her business is that while it has taken her a long time to get to where she is as a business owner, the operation is entirely family-run. In fact, when we stopped in, her husband and daughter were also there helping out. It just goes to show the beautiful sense of community and family that still exists in town when it comes to businesses. We hope that never changes.
Before we leave you to your sugar-induced high and trek to Hudson Street to order all the things — last but most certainly NOT least — Baking Mama offers Baonanas {which is a mic drop in itself…}. Now if you haven’t heard of Baonanas, you are literally living under the rock that is Hoboken and Jersey City or perhaps Manhattan. Think — Baonanas is Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, but gluten and dairy free {and dare we say — good for you!?}. Made fresh in Jersey City, Baonanas is a scrumptious pudding dessert that is light, fluffy, and comes in a variety of flavors: Oreo and Banana being our top two faves. It is basically layers of vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding. Other flavors on our list to try: S’mores and Nutterbutter. BUT really, don’t take our word for it…
Actually please do. Because I would never steer you wrong.
See More: 10 of Our Favorite Dessert Spots in Hoboken and Jersey City
Have you been to Baking Mama or tried Baonanas? What did you think? Leave a comment below [or stop by on your way home from work – 88 Hudson Street. Tell Tina we sent you — with love!]. xo
