We looked. We saw. We tasted. Our waistlines got a wee bit wider. And it was totally worth it! Together, our expert tasters’ picks paired with your fabulous suggestions, showed us the way. We didn’t cut any corners, but instead savored every single delectable and delicious layer, stacking some pretty amazing cakes against tough competition. Who’s on top? Read on for the winners of our Bergen Mama Cake Smackdown – and thank you for your participation!
You, dear reader, take the cake.
Winner, Best Overall In Bergen: Palermo’s Bakery
Local Ridgefield Park residents have known about Palermo’s for 20 years, since its days as a small retail shop. Expert cake making, decorating and professionalism is what makes this bakery top notch for special occasion cakes. They managed to deliver to us a cake with superior design (we could actually see the stitching on the purses) and a flavor and consistency that we thought was delicious. (Palermo’s Bakery, 187 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ, 201-641-1654)
Honorable Mention, Best Overall: Sweet Sisters is actually located in Essex County, Fairfield to be exact. But if you’re willing to make a trip, you will be rewarded with a cake so fresh and yummy, filled with the lightest buttercreams and fresh berries. Owner Beth Karam-Putt is so committed to taste, she actually won’t even use fondant. But we found out that she has a very strong almost cult-like following and that she makes a pretty mean cheesecake too. (Sweet Sisters, 973-244-2484)
Best Design, Winner: A Little Cake showcased their design expertise by creating multiple “mini-cakes” including an actual agenda book, hand written to-do list and “cup of jo” for busy Bergen Mamas- obviously referring to how busy we are. Cakemaster Leo knows us too well! (A Little Cake, 94 Berthoud Street, Park Ridge, 201-391-6300).
Best Taste, Winner: Grandma’s Kitchen This nut-free favorite (also offering gluten free, vegan, egg and dairy free) sacrifices nothing on taste. We would’ve never guessed that anything was missing in this two flavor cake designed by the bakers at Grandma’s. After trying their red velvet and chocolate chip yelllow cake covered in red fondant, we were sold on the moist consistency and not overly sweet taste. (Grandma’s Kitchen, 125 Paris Avenue, Northvale, 201-750-2301)
Best Taste, Honorable Mention: Miller’s Bakery in Cliffside Park, went with a chocolate sponge cake (super light, fresh and airy) and a whipped butter cream which made us reminisce about the Devil Dogs of yesteryear. This combination, encased in a Tiffany Blue fondant was a winner. (Miller’s Bakery, 716 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, 201-943-0400)
