Hoboken is known for its food, and even more so, the perfect end to a meal: cake! The locals are no strangers to some of the best dessert spots in the area. With 2020 taking a turn and more {COVID-safe} celebrations happening, tons of Hoboken Girl readers have been in search of the perfect cake. The quest for some specialty cakes, which include gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, and others, can be a challenge to find. We have rounded up some spots in the Mile Square that are notorious for making incredibly delicious and beautiful cakes for all eaters and occasions. Read on to learn more about the different spots that offer specialty cakes!
Baking Mama {88 Hudson Street}
{Photo credit: @iambakingmama}
While Tina of Baking Mama has an incredible menu of desserts, including cookies, cupcakes, macaroons, and so much more, her specialty is cakes. All Baking Mama’s cakes are made to order {and require at least three days notice}. Available at Baking Mama are vegan or gluten-free cakes and cupcakes, which can be made of chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet. Designs and sizing can be arranged by reaching out to the bakery first via email at tina@bakingmama.com.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free
Vegan
Choc o Pain {157 1st Street}
{Photo credit: @chocopainbakery}
WithHoboken and Jersey City locations, this French bakery and cafe has everything necessary to feel like you are in Paris. Choc o Pain offers a number of gluten-free and vegan items available for purchase. With vegan croissants, chocopains, bread {minus the brioche bread, which includes eggs and butter}, and the seasonal banana walnut chocolate chip bread, as well as the Petites boules Pommes, Choc o Pain is a great spot to pick up delicious treats. Since the bakery still makes gluten-inclusive items, Choc o Pain does not claim to be 100% gluten-free. however, a few options are made entirely without flour. These options include the macarons {with the exception of the cookies and cream macaron} and the black currant financiers, which are made with almond flour. The bakery can also make fruit and vegetable platters, which can be found on the catering menu.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free Flourless Cake
Vegan Croissants, Breads
Cocoa Bakery {475 Central Avenue and 275 Grand Street}
With two convenient locations, Cocoa Bakery has many choices for those seeking out gluten-free and vegan desserts. The chocolate almond cake is available for pre-order only and is completely free of gluten. Because the cake is flourless, the cake is incredibly rich and thick. It is a favorite even amongst the non-gluten-free community! The chocolate almond cake can be customized with additional options, including vanilla, chocolate, raspberry buttercream, raspberry preserve, and chocolate ganache. The bakery also offers gluten-free cupcakes of the same flavors listed for cakes, gluten-free cake truffles, and cookies, too!
Also sold at Cocoa Bakeryare vegan cupcakes, chocolate cake truffle cookies, personal-sized chocolate peanut butter coconut tarts, and a vegan and gluten-free chocolate almond raspberry personal-sized tart.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake
Gluten-Free Cake Truffles, Cookies
Vegan Cupcakes, Coconut Tarts
Read More: Where to Get Crepes in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
Giorgio’s Pasticceria {112 Washington Street}
{Photo credit: @giorgiospasticceria}
There is something to be said about a bakery that has been serving the Hoboken community since 1974. The Castiello family has perfected customizable cakes to order — in addition to the outpouring of pastries that always line the counters. Giorgio’s Pasticceria offers gluten-free chocolate hazelnut cookies and a few types of gluten-free almond cookies. As for vegan options — Mary can create a fruit pie or strudel as per your needs. With the holidays coming up, these might be great options for you and your family! In addition, guests of Giorgio’s Pasticceria can also choose from different cakes, icings, fillings, and so much more.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free Cookies, Fruit Pies, and Strudel
Hudson Cakery {1816 Willow Avenue, Weehawken}
{Photo credit: @hudsoncakery}
While technically not in Hoboken, this gem dances the fine line between the Mile Square and Weehawken. Hudson Cakery has a very eclectic and intricate design taste, which is great if looking to wow your guests with the ultimate cake. Known for their design in wedding cakes, dessert-style cakes, and special occasion cakes, the attention to detail paid to all Hudson Cakery creations is impeccable. More than that, the cakes are delectable. Hudson Cakery can make gluten-free chocolate and vanilla cakes. For these orders, the bakery will need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice. Another cake that few bakeries can duplicate is a pink champagne cake made with real champagne. Complemented by frostings and fillings such as Nutella buttercream, fudge, cinnamon cream cheese, and so much more, this bakery will make all of your wildest pastry dreams come true.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free Cakes and Fillings
Om Sweet Home {708 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park}
{Photo credit: @omsweethomenj}
A bit out of the Hoboken realm, but a popular Hoboken ordering staple, Om Sweet Home is a Cliffside Park bakery that is a completely vegan and gluten-free facility. Specializing in all sorts of baked goods such as cookies, cakes, doughnuts, and so much more, f looking for a special occasion cake that is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, palm oil-free, and made with their homemade, non-dairy butter alternative, Om Sweet Home is for you. The bakery also uses Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose GF blend flour, which is legume-based. Please keep in mind that the bakery is NOT a nut-free facility, and all custom cake orders are best placed at least seven days in advance.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Palm Oil-Free
Dairy-Free Butter Alternative
NOT a nut-free facility
See More: Where to Find the Best Desserts in New Jersey
ShopRite Bakery {900 Madison Avenue, Hoboken and 400 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City}
{Photo credit: @shopritestores}
ShopRite is an excellent spot to create a custom-made cake with options available for all different needs. Their cakes are full of flavor, moist, and freshly baked based on each customization. Their bakery department can customize cakes for any occasion to meet any dietary and religious requirements. Visit your local Shop Rite for more information.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free Cakes
Kosher Cakes
Whole Foods Market {1400 Waterfront Terrace}
{Photo credit: @wholefoods}
Just like ShopRite, this grocer has quite an impressive bakery. Whole Foods is a great spot to visit to create a custom cake or other desserts with already put into place gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, and kosher options. The market is filled with already made cakes and desserts, but visit the bakery department for something special!. Offered at Whole Foods is a gluten-free black and white or red velvet cake. As for vegan — chocolate, carrot, and vanilla cakes are always a good choice.
Specialty Options Available:
Gluten-Free, Vegan, Sugar-Free, and Kosher Cakes
