Baltimore's Best 6.22.25 - Flipbook - Page 6
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The Baltimore Sun | Sunday, June 22, 2025
BALTIMORE’S BEST FOOD & DRINK
Charles Hergenroeder is the owner of Woodlea Bakery in Baltimore holds a tray of their homemade strawberry shortcakes. The bakery was named best in Baltimore.
LLOYD FOX/STAFF
BEST BAKERY
WOODLEA BAKERY
4905 Belair Road, Baltimore. 410-488-7717. woodleabakery.com
By Mike Klingaman
E
ighty-three years ago, this
shop sold its first doughnuts.
The kitchen has been bustling
ever since, baking buns,
breads and birthday cakes from scratch
for its devotees, some of whom have
been coming almost from the start.
“Every year, we make a couple of
birthday cakes for (centenarians),” said
Charles Hergenroeder, whose family
opened the bakery on this spot during
World War II and has owned it for four
generations (a second Woodlea opened
in Bel Air in 2020). That the shop has
indulged families for decades speaks to
its constancy.
“People tell us, ‘I used to go to
church down the road on Sundays and
always came in here after for a doughnut,’ ” the owner said. “Or they’ll say,
‘We got every one of our kids’ birthday cakes here, and now we’re getting
her wedding cake.’ It’s cool to have a
following.”
What’s the draw? Strawberry shortcakes, chocolate honey-dipped doughnuts and tasty danish (apple, cheese
and lemon). Customers swear by the
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peach cake; all fruit comes from local
orchards. Some of the goodies don’t
make it off the premises.
“I’ve seen guys eating cupcakes on
their way out the door,” said Hergenroeder, 33.
Special orders test Woodlea’s mettle:
Its staff of 38 has cranked out everything from two-foot sub rolls to a
10-tier wedding cake. Years ago, the
director of a film being shot in Baltimore sought the bakery’s help: One
scene called for an actor to eat a lump
of coal, or facsimile thereof. Woodlea
produced a yummy meringue cookie,
colored black.
One perk of the job is dealing with an
upbeat clientele, Hergenroeder said:
“The good thing about running a
bakery is that people don’t come here
because they need to. We’re not the
dentist or the auto repair shop. People
come because they’re happy and they
want a treat. They’re in a good mood
when they get here.”
And, presumably, when they leave.
jklingaman@baltsun.com
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