For me, one of the saddest parts of moving out for college was moving away from my mom’s baking. Lucky for me and anyone else who needs a homemade treat from time to time, Uppercrust Bakery has pretty much everything you could ever think of.
Located at 4118 NW 16th Boulevard, the bakery greets you with a comfortable outdoor area to enjoy your morning croissant and cup of joe. Right as you walk in, a wall of delicious aromas draws you nearer to the impressively diverse display case of baked goods. Along the walls, you’ll find everything from local honey to an assortment of fine cheeses and keepsakes.
Outdoor view of the bakery, photographed by Madi Florence.
Since 1981, the bakery has been able to remain a staple of the Gainesville community because the high standards they have for their products and the unmatched kindness of the staff. Constantly adapting their menu and learning from customers, Uppercrust now boasts sweet and savory baked goods, coffee, bistro items, a stocked wine room and so many other local goodies. Owner Ben Guzick said that the next move is to add café style seating to create a charming indoor area for guests.
Uppercrust prides itself in the fact that everything that can be made in-house, is made in-house. Aside from an apricot jam and Nutella, all the components of their pastries are made there. They even try to buy all of their fruit from farmers nearby.
During GainesvilleScene’s tour, we got to explore the kitchen and watch all the bakers in action getting ready for a busy weekend of sales. I was most impressed by the croissant making process that they shared takes three days.
The front room was full of customers coming in to grab an early-morning bite. We got comfortable at one of the outdoor tables where we tried the original croissant, a blueberry cream rose, a strawberry chausson and a turkey, lemon and dill quiche all over coffee.
The croissant making process, photographed by Madi Florence.
By the time we left, I was full, satisfied and ready for an afternoon nap.
The busiest time of the year for the bakery is the holiday stretch from Thanksgiving to New Years. And the most popular item they sell are their sugar cookies. As we were discussing the top-selling item, a customer on her way out said, “And they have the best sugar cookies in the country.” So, you heard it here first, folks.
The famous sugar cookies, photographed by Sneha Sathish.
And they have the best sugar cookies in the country.
Other than all the baked good options, Uppercrust has lunch options like sandwiches and a soup of the day. Every Saturday, they host wine and cheese tastings for people to come in and gain a new appreciation for food and drink while socializing.
A new thing that they have been doing at the store is called Suppercrust. This monthly meal cooked by the owner consists of six to seven courses and allows people to come in for an intimate dining experience after the bakery closes. The hope is to spread positivity in the community through food. Visit their website for tickets for the next Suppercrust on May 28.
Our breakfast goodies, photographed by Madi Florence.
Other than at the store, the bakery’s products can be found all over Gainesville. I first became acquainted with their croissants at Wyatt’s Coffee downtown. Additionally, Uppercrust has recently joined the list of vendors at both the Bo Diddley and Haile farmers markets.
Guzick has recently started a blog on the company website to help people learn about how involved the baking process is and what goes into making their intricate goods.
Uppercust is located at 4118 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605
The blog, full menus and location information can all be found here. Follow the bakery on Instagram and Facebook.
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