Shandaken Bake A Dream Come True in the Heart of Tannersville

TANNERSVILLE – Shandaken Bake, a cozy bakery owned by Craig Thompson in the Village of Tannersville, has quickly become a beloved staple since its opening in June 2022. For Thompson, this bakery represents the culmination of a 30-year-old dream—a dream he's held since his college days at Kansas State University, where his passion for baking first ignited.

"I remember the moment it all began," Thompson reminisced. "My housemate's girlfriend made a derby pie, which is a chocolate pecan caramel pie. I took one bite and asked her how she made it. She told me the name of a cookbook—The American Country Inn and Bed and Breakfast Cookbook. I bought the book, started practicing, and never looked back."

Before opening Shandaken Bake, Thompson spent years honing his craft at various establishments, most notably The Pines in Mount Tremper. At The Pines, he worked under the ownership of Jeremy Bernstein, whom Thompson speaks of with deep admiration. "He's one of the loveliest people I know," Thompson said. "The place is like a roadhouse with music and food. It has such a good heart to it." Thompson fondly recalls prepping pastries while listening to musical acts practice before their evening performances. "I've never been that close to something that I admire, and I love how the two worlds of food and music interweave."

Thompson's journey in baking is deeply rooted in his sense memories, which he uses as the foundation for his creations. "Everything I make is based on positive sense memories that I have," he shared. From the cinnamon crunch donut at his grandmother's local bakery to the rich flavors of his childhood, Thompson has always sought to recreate and even surpass these memories in his work. "That's where you take a bite, your eyes roll back in your head, and you say, 'Oh my God,'" he said, describing the moment when a recipe matches his cherished memories.

Shandaken Bake has been an instant success, with lines forming before the doors open. "There's been some form of a line since the day I opened," Thompson said, a fact for which he's deeply grateful. The bakery, open on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to noon through Labor Day, is known for its artisanal pastries and warm, inviting atmosphere.

One of the bakery's standout offerings is the Chubby Squirrel, a pastry that Thompson describes as "a scone meets coffee cake that you can hold in your hand, filled with cinnamon crumble and apples stewed with molasses and vanilla." This crowd favorite is based on a memory from one of Thompson's earliest visits to New York City, where he experienced a similar treat in the West Village.

Thompson's path to Shandaken Bake was not without its twists and turns. After working at various farmer's markets and spending time in 2011 helping friends open a bakery in Ireland (which was named Best Bakery in Ireland in 2012 by the Irish Times), Thompson knew it was time to bring his dream to life. The opportunity came when he noticed a papered-over space next to Sundry., a local shop owned by Sydney Frazier. "I went in and said, 'If you're not going to do anything with that space, I'll put a bakery in it,'" Thompson recalled. The layout of the bakery he had dreamed of for decades matched perfectly with what the space could become, and Shandaken Bake was born. Thompson was involved in the complete interior renovation of the space.

Thompson's passion for baking is matched by his love for the applied arts, which is evident in the bakery's whimsical decor. The art displayed in the bakery, including large cardboard cardinals in the front windows and pastel paper flowers adorning the tables, was all created by Thompson himself. "It's all confection in my mind, and it's a non-perishable version of baking," he said.

For Thompson, Shandaken Bake is not just a business—it's a dream fulfilled. "It's been amazing," he said of the last couple of years. "I'm grateful for all the support I've gotten and everyone who continues to show up and enjoy the experience of being here. When you carry a dream for 30 years, it's a lot of weight. So I had to tackle it." When his bakery became a reality, Thompson added, "It was one of the most freeing feelings I've ever had."

Visitors continue to flock to Shandaken Bake to taste Thompson's creations. Whether it's the Chubby Squirrel, the Chocolate Layer Cake with fresh raspberries, or any of his other delightful pastries, one thing is clear: Shandaken Bake is a dream come true, not just for Thompson but for the entire community.

Pro tip: Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the line. If you're looking for a special treat, Thompson is happy to take requests—just make sure to stick to his carefully curated repertoire.

Contact Information: Craig Thompson can be reached at 1-646-584-2010 for orders and inquiries. Texts are welcome, and responses are quick. Also, check out @shandakenbake on Instagram. Shandaken Bake is at 6036 Main St, in the heart of Tannersville.