“Ridiculously Amazing” says the sign on the front display case, and believe me, it is eye-catching, vibrant and provides a bang on accurate description of this amazing and popular food shop in Barrie’s busy south end.
I discovered Holly’s shortly after moving to Barrie 9 years ago. The first days settling into my new community I was on a mission to locate the stores and shops that I would frequent. A priority was to locate an all-scratch bakery that made butter tarts. Butter tarts are my comfort food, a taste that says welcome. I needed to find my perfect butter tart, and at Holly’s, perfection came with a warning. If I wasn’t going to sit and order tea to accompany said butter tart, it was strongly suggested that I wait until I arrived home to eat it. I should have listened, but it was far too tempting; the pastry was flaky, with desired crispness, the filling was abundant, and as I munched into it, the gooey wonderfulness dripped on my steering wheel.
Over the years I have nibbled and noshed my way through most of the amazing items they offer. Holly’s Sweets and Eats is much more than the best bakery Barrie has; they specialize in wedding and birthday cakes, artisan breads, muffins, scones and pies, squares and cookies. At holiday time you can bring in your own pie pan or borrow a stunning fluted version, to present your pie most uniquely.
They smoke their own meats for succulent Panini sandwiches. Their corned beef sandwiches have that desired Montreal flavour! They offer frozen meals and create corporate lunches. Sample their simply amazing savory items. Giftware, gift baskets, and gluten free foods.
Catering and cooking lessons. Jams, jellies and preserves. Order a Romantic Valentines dinner; indulge in a traditional Mother’s Day High tea, my darling daughter and I did just that this past week. Add some elegance to your Christmas Festivities. All are exemplary, the quality consummate.
Saturday breakfasts are stunning, eggs benedict, pancakes with Lori’s own pure maple syrup. Dinner for 50, no problem, they even make the condiments to accompany the fine fare. I can personally attest to the quality of the amazing cakes, having blown out the candles on many birthdays.
I was a satisfied customer when I experienced the creativity of their custom offerings, as the perfect summer box lunches were made for a writing workshop I co-hosted.
Frozen or prepared sticky buns, sublime cinnamon swirl loaves, these make the best French toast. The Hot Cross buns, are delicious, I wish they made them well past the spring season.
Pop in for your early morning coffee and muffin, or try a scone. Swing by for lunch, the daily specials are wonderful. Drop by to pick up dinner to go, the steak and mushroom pies are a favourite of mine. Sisters Lori and Holly are Holly’s Sweets and Eats; nine and a half years ago their dad told them he was opening a bakery and he said they were going to run it, and so it was. Holly had an exceptional background, having learned the trade from some of the best, while Lori, who was a part time kindergarten teacher, now thrives with planning and executing events, and to hear her tell it, these are great parties!
Holly’s Sweets and Eats are active in community events; they recently judged a baking contest at Georgian College, created the desserts for Gilda’s Club Spring Fling and are representing France in the upcoming Napoleon-Rotary Club, Taste the World.
If food is love this bakery is whole heartedly nurturing their community.
The superlatives are completely justified. This is where Barrie shops for baked goods.
Holly’s Sweets and Eats
Convenient Hours of Operation
Mon to Thurs: 8am to 6pm
Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 8am to 4pm
12 Commerce Park Drive,
Unit L, Barrie, Ontario
Phone: 705.735.3366
Fax: 705.735.6509
info@hollyssweetsandeats.com
www.hollyssweetsandeats.com
This review was originally posted on Simcoe Dining in May, 2013.
Updated and edited July 2015.
Copyright 2015 YYZtech Group Media Ltd. Used with permission.
No Comments