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Homestyle Desserts had it's origins in the Village of Buchanan, where in 1970 Rose began making apple dumplings in a coal oven at the bake shop called Dutch Mill Donuts. By 1974 she had started a line of cheesecakes. 1975 saw the hiring of Julie who quickly learned both cheesecake baking and donut production. She was by all accounts "an excellent worker." Today Julie is the manager of Homestyle Desserts and our longest standing employee!In 1984, after a few name changes, larger menu and a mostly wholesale client base, our bakery moved into it's new location in Peekskill, New York. Taking over the old Monument Printers building on South Water Street, a lot of blood, sweat and tears were put into turning the space into a working wholesale bakery with an eye towards adding retail. By 1989 a space was dedicated to the ever budding interest by the public in our products.
In 2008 Laura has created delicious new "S'Mores cheesecake." In November 2008, Homestyle is featured in a piece by Laura Scharf on Hudson Valley Thanksgiving desserts in The North County News. (Scroll down to read the NY Times article on the Cannoli Chips & Dip and the review from North County News) Laura's son James looks to follow in the family business! Can his new baby sister Theresa be far behind?
Rose and her staff welcome you to come into Homestyle for anything from a danish, to a gift basket, to unique creations made especially for your special occasions. Below is a collage of some of our family and work from our first 37 years. We fondly remember our many long time friends and customers. Enjoy.
A Fall 2008 review from The North County News
LIFESTYLES
While the turkey is usually the highlight of most Thanksgiving dinners, let’s not forget the rest of the feast - especially dessert. Every family has its favorite traditions, and heaven help the person who tries to ignore them. For some families, it is grandma’s marshmallow-covered sweet potato casserole recipe, while for others it may be Cousin Carol’s chestnut dressing. Whatever your feast includes, and no matter how full everyone claims to be, there’s always room for dessert. Here are some great desserts to be found at some of our local bakeries. Proprietors suggest that you order in advance to avoid disappointment on Thanksgiving Day. Homestyle Desserts, Peekskill
The aroma will draw you into the store as soon as you park your car. Once inside, Homestyle’s selection will overwhelm your senses. It’s hard to stay focused on what you came for because temptation is everywhere. Rose Sanca, Homestyle’s owner, said that in addition to traditional pies and cakes, some new items have become very popular. Pumpkin mousse pie starts out as a traditional pumpkin pie, but it’s topped with a blend of real whipped cream, pumpkin and spices to finish it off elegantly.
Homestyle sells sugar-free cheesecakes in a variety of flavors including cherry, raspberry, lemon and plain. They are very popular, Rose said, because there’s no after-taste or drying agents, unlike many sugar-free desserts. Old customers ask for their favorites, including gingerbread turkeys, and are already placing orders for gingerbread houses for Christmas. There’s a great variety of cookies for Thanksgiving.
24 South Water St., Peekskill 737-4659 Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, and 8 a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving.
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QUICK BITE Peekskill Taking The Cannoli To a New Level Are you a cannoli lover who thinks the traditional Italian dessert can't be improved on? Then visit Homestyle Desserts Bakery in Peekskill for one of their latest creations.
Chips and Dip is just one of the wonderful tastes at this 37-year-old bakery that produces pastries, cookies, cakes (and more) from scratch. Rose Sanca, the owner, uses only real butter and whole eggs, so the products have none of the chemical tastes or flimsy feel of so many other baked goods. Part of Homestyle's appeal is the wide variety of desserts it offers. Dozens of cookies ($8.50 - $15 a pound) include German-style rainbows, Jewish hammentaschen and Italian sinfuls -- delicious round nut cookies with powdered sugar on top. Danishes line a wall of cases -- from cheese-filled to eclairs to choclate horns ($1.25 each). Pies ($10 to $14) range from traditional apple to complex cream and fruit tartes. There are a dozen kinds of cheesecake including basic, tiramisu, chocolate and Key lime, $14 to $22. Wedding and specialty cakes make up 33 per cent of the business, which is split evenly between wholesale and retail. The retail end grew six years ago, when Ms. Sanca was able to double the storefront area. The back bakery grew too, to about 5,000 feet. But it's coming up with new products that makes this businesswoman happiest. "I love the creativity of it," she says. Homestyle Desserts Bakery, 24 South Water Street, Peekskill; information can be found at (914) 737-4659 or at homestyledessertsbakery.com
EMILY DeNITTO
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As the retail business has grown, so has our storefront. In the year 2000 we renovated a small back building and added our newest retail space where you can expect to find teddy bears, candles and other unique gift items along with all of our tasty treats.
In 2006 Rose's son Jason revolutionized the seasonal treat with his excellent Apple Cider doughnuts which we make during the fall season. Also in 2006 Rose's daughter Laura began adding her own flavor with our new line of cupcakes and delicious cookie recipes. In 2007 Laura introduced a new collection of cheesecakes and with brother Jason has re-invented the cannoli with our newest treat "Cannoli Chips and Dip."
Today we have a thriving and popular business, both wholesale and retail, specializing in viennese desserts, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, wedding cakes, special occasion cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Homestyle Desserts takes great pride in the care and professionalism we extend to both our customers and our wide range of products. All of our delightful and delicious desserts are made from only the finest and freshest ingredients.
If you’d like to bake your own pies but don’t have the time (or talent), head to Homestyle Desserts. No one will know that your delectable dessert wasn’t homemade. These are not typical store-bought desserts.
New this year is the s’mores cheesecake, and last year’s newcomer, apple crumb cheesecake, is back by popular demand.
Called "chips and dip," the new offering features three kinds of triangular cannoli shell "chips" -- powdered sugar, chocolate-covered and chocolate-drizzled -- on a platter with a bowlful of cannoli filling for dipping ($20). The chips are grease-free, crispy and flavorful; the filling is rich, creamy and shot through with chocolate chips. In this presentation, you can balance the flavors the way you want with each bite.