Esther's Home Bakery

If you're ever in Sugarcreek, Ohio, don't leave town without stopping at Esther's home bakery and Cafe! My review is about the bakery. Being gluten sensitive, I was just humoring myself by asking my husband if we could stop in thinking there would be nothing for me. But was I wrong! As I half-heartedly perused the selection of bakery items and other treats, I spotted some dark chocolate buckeyes ($5.75 for 8 oz or about 15 pcs) which I knew were gluten-friendly so I grabbed them. These buckeyes were more of a candy than a typical buckeye cookie like I was expecting, but nonetheless delicious. A pool of creamy, smooth peanut butter nestled in rich, dark chocolate. They melt in your mouth! My husband found some dark chocolate covered peanuts that were considered "seconds" for a mere 50 cents! These were only considered seconds because they were meant to be peanut clusters, but fell short due to the peanuts not being completely covered in chocolate. Upon checking out, I noticed a "menu" at the checkout counter. To my delight, there were several gluten free items listed. Not sure if the woman working that day was Esther herself, but she was friendly & happy to answer my questions and she told us the story of how those "seconds" came to be, her miscalculation became a happy mistake for us! When I asked where the gluten free items other than the buckeyes were, she said she just baked some chocolate chip & peanut butter cookies that were cooling in the back and would be happy to package up whatever I wanted. Boy! Was I glad I asked! I only got the peanut butter cookies ($8 for 8), but in hindsight, I should have bought everything she had! The peanut butter cookies were big, soft and chewy, with a milk chocolate kiss in the center (these big cookies could have used two kisses!) They were better than any I have ever had, gluten free or not, including those from my mom's recipe and any I've found on many a Pittsburgh wedding's cookie tables! I will be craving them until I return to Sugarcreek! Bottom line, don't miss Esther's after you check out the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock on Main Street. Creepy & cute at the same time!...The clock, not Esther's! Lol .

Esther is the sweetest & most friendly lady. I really enjoy her baked goods and was extremely happy with the gluten free cookies. The buckeyes melt in your mouth, we brought 2 containers back home with us. Esther is very welcoming!