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Holiday cookie trays, crumb cake and cannoli are a big part of the season in Ocean County, and the county’s local bakeries are where to get them. Here are Ocean County, NJ, bakeries to know for holiday treats, from a Bay Head crumb cake landmark to Toms River’s custom cake shops.
Mueller’s Bakery
- Town: Bay Head
- Where: 80 Bridge Avenue
Mueller’s is best known for its famous crumb cake, and boxes of it travel to holiday tables all over the shore. The counter also offers pastries, cakes, breads, bagels, doughnuts, cookies and danish.
You may also taste Mueller’s sugar cookies at Lavallette’s tree lighting on December 5. Expect lines in the days before Christmas, so go early.
Red Rose Bakery
- Town: Toms River
- Where: 1843A Hooper Avenue (Rands Plaza)
Everything at Red Rose is baked fresh on the premises, from crumb rings and cookies to homemade cannolis, cheesecakes and pies. Bread lovers can pick up Italian, semolina and sesame loaves.
Red Rose is also a go-to for specialty and custom cakes, so call ahead for holiday party orders.
La Scala Italian Pastry Shop
- Town: Toms River
- Where: 1231 Route 166
An Italian pastry shop known locally for black-and-white cookies, cannoli and fresh breads. It is a good stop for an Italian cookie tray or a Feast of the Seven Fishes dessert spread.
Call ahead for larger holiday orders, since tray and cake requests pick up quickly in December.
Uncle Dood’s Donuts
- Town: Toms River
- Where: 4 Robbins Street
Uncle Dood’s makes donuts to order, iced and topped while you wait, with a menu that changes monthly and lets you mix and match icings and toppings.
Donuts are fried in batches through the morning and often sell out, and lines are common on weekends and holidays, so plan an early visit.
Mandoli’s Custom Cake Confectionary
- Town: Toms River
- Where: 11 Washington Street
A women-owned shop in downtown Toms River that has made custom cakes, cupcakes and specialty desserts for more than a decade. It is steps from the downtown tree lighting on December 4.
Custom orders need lead time, so reach out early if you want a themed holiday cake or a dessert table for a party.
The Big Apple Bakery
- Town: Manahawkin (Stafford)
- Where: 595 East Bay Avenue (Acme Shopping Center)
The Big Apple Bakery brings European-style baking to southern Ocean County, with traditionally baked breads, pastries and cakes, plus homemade pies and prepared meals.
For cake orders, the bakery asks customers to call rather than email. Its Acme Shopping Center location makes it an easy stop on the way to or from Long Beach Island, with plenty of parking.
Pair a Bakery Stop With a Holiday Outing
- Bay Head: Grab crumb cake at Mueller’s, then head to Lavallette’s tree lighting on Saturday, December 5.
- Toms River: Pick up a cake from Mandoli’s or Red Rose before the Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4, or the Ocean County tree lighting on Wednesday, December 2.
- Manahawkin: Stop at The Big Apple Bakery on the way to Long Beach Island holiday events like the Hotel LBI tree lighting on December 2.
Holiday Ordering Tips
- Place custom cake and cookie tray orders at least a week or two ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Ask about pickup windows on Christmas Eve, when many bakeries close early.
- Bring a cooler bag for cannoli and cream pastries on longer drives.
More in Ocean County: classic shore restaurants, holiday craft fairs and tree lightings are coming up across the county.
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