Homestyle Desserts Bakery                    
 


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 Today's retail storefront 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.


James Timmons, apprentice baker 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.


Theresa Timmons, Homestyle mushmelon 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 has introduced a new collection of cheesecakes and with brother Jason has re-invented the cannoli with our newest treat "Cannoli Chips and Dip." (Scroll down to read the NY Times article on it.) We continue to use new ideas from Jason and Laura that add to our wonderful line of treats; everything from mini cheesecakes to a variety of donuts and our newest cake "Almond Delight" which Rose and Jason developed. Laura's son James looks to follow in the family business! Can his new baby sister Theresa be far behind?


Rose Sanca 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.

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 38 years. We fondly remember our many long time friends and customers. Enjoy.





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.

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.

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
New York Times
July 2007