You may have passed by the adorable bakery in the Village of the Arts or perhaps tasted one of her delicious creations at a pop-up event, but if you have yet to experience the baked goods from Retrobaked you’ll get your chance this weekend at the Atomic Holiday Bazaar.
Rachel Sokolewicz, 33, fell in love with baking at a young age thanks to the influence of her mother and grandmother who were avid cookie and pie makers. In her 20s she was working at an ad agency in Michigan when she realized she needed a “food-related outlet” and started her own food blog. She spent nights and weekends cooking and baking and sharing her creations on her blog. Things got a little sticky when she was diagnosed with food allergies. Options dwindled down to nothing for someone who needed vegan and gluten-free dessert options.
“Learning to make cupcakes and cookies without essentials like flour, eggs, milk and butter was a challenge that turned into an obsession.”
The obsession paid off and led her to sharing her delicious treats with those who were missing out on the world of sweets due to allergies.
Chocolate chip cookie sammies. Photo provided by Retrobaked
Retrobaked just celebrated its third anniversary in October. The custom order bakery fills orders six days a week and hosts several pop-up events a month at the bakery, including during the First Friday Artwalks in the Village of the Arts.
Sokolewicz’s bakery is advertised as “Bradenton’s first & only 100% gluten-free plant-based bakery,” something which she is very proud of and happily embraces.
“Dietary restrictions are notorious for taking the fun out of eating, especially when it comes to dessert. Having food allergies myself, I understand firsthand what it’s like to peer into a bakery case filled with beautifully decorated desserts only to settle for the one, bland gluten-free option. My goal in starting Retrobaked was to create a bakery that gave vegans, celiacs and those with food allergies the same bakery experience as everyone else, with a wide array of delicious, thoughtful desserts that they could enjoy without worry or sacrifice.”
Blueberry Lavender Lemonade cupcakes. Photo provided by Retrobaked
Of course the greatest compliment of all is when her customers just cannot believe that the treats they are enjoying are in fact vegan friendly and gluten free.
This will be Sokolewicz’s second time taking part in the Atomic Holiday Bazaar. She plans to have her favorite oatmeal creme pies for sale as well as the chocolate chip cookie sammies, double fudge brownies along with cupcake and Christmas treats. She was thrilled with last year’s experience because fellow vendors became friends and first time taster have become loyal customers.
Sokolewicz’s favorites: the Oatmeal Creme Pies. Photo provided by Retrobaked
As far as other vendors she suggests anyone to check out?
“Taste the blueberry lavender jam at Sunshine Canning and get a bowl of vegan mac ‘n cheese at Ray’s Vegan Soul.”
It all sounds delicious and like everyone will be very well fed this coming weekend. Check out Retrobaked’s site as well as the website for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar to learn more about both the bakery and the event this weekend.