Orting Bakery Really Measures Up

One of the great things about being a grown-up is the fact I can eat anything at any time that I choose. If I want cold spaghetti in the morning for breakfast, a scrambled egg with a martini chaser for lunch and a piece of cake for dinner, so be it. I’m not saying this is my standard fare, but the urge for non-traditional meals every once now and then that must be indulged, and this is where the Orting Bakery makes its entrance. 

While driving through the quaint little town of Orting, the sight of the Orting Bakery made my mouth water. I suddenly had a vision of a fresh sourdough baguette with a crunchy buttery crust lathered with fresh cream butter and that’s what I decided to eat for lunch -- and I was perfectly happy with this decision.

The closer I got to the door, the hungrier I became as the aroma of warm baked goodness floated in the air around the building. Upon entering the front door, I saw the basket that looked like it was made just for me.

Freshly baked baguettes of different sizes were right in front of me for the picking. Next to them were tiny rolls and wonderfully scented loaves of bread. I reached for the baguette of choice but at that point made the fatal mistake of turning my head. It was like nothing I had ever seen before … endless rows and shelves of pastries, cookies, pies and cakes. I literally became the kid in the candy store. 

Now one thing I am known for is that ever wonderful “High I” personality -- I'm distracted easily and have the attention span of a squirrel. The prettier the object and the more it sparkles, the more I will be drawn into an entirely different world that distracts me from my mission. In this case, the pastries were the object of my affection and distraction.

There were King Cakes in honor of Fat Tuesday, decorated with bright pinks, greens and California lemon yellows, powdered wedding cake cookies, beautifully decorated cupcakes of all flavors ... and then there were the donuts. I was drawn to the mammoth size of the apple fritters.

I do not think I have an abnormally large head but in the scheme of things, this fatty fritter was actually the size of my head and measured up to an award-winning 7 inches. And if you are wondering, yes I do carry a measuring tape, being the extraordinary Realtor that provides all sorts of tools to her clients when looking at houses. 

The fritter won my love and as I was paying for it along with a steamy cup of java, free samples appeared on the counter. I carefully gave them the once-over, then another and then the willpower disappeared. With one bite of a beautifully crumble-covered pound cake, I found I needed this tasty treat as well. 

The apple fritter was amazing as it was perfectly glazed, had the right amount of cinnamon and was filled with tender apple bits. It was freshly baked, soft, moist and just plain yummy. The pound cake was the piece de resistance. It was buttery, dense and the most moist cake I have eaten in awhile. The topping was a brown sugary cinnamon crumble and there were random layers of gooey rich caramel-like ribbons. The one thing might have to add to my toolbox, however, is a tiny scale because I think this thing actually weighed an entire pound.

I highly recommend the Orting Bakery especially for its selections of breads, focaccia and pastries. The staff is very friendly and the interior couldn’t possibly get any cozier, with its exposed brick and wonderful scents wafting through the air. The prices are extremely reasonable for fresh baked goods and the selection is remarkably large.

 This absolutely measures up to what a bakery should be and for those that are wondering, I actually brought half of each of my treats home with me. Without a doubt, I will make this a destination spot and the next time I visit, I will be sure to get that baguette … unless something else catches my eye.