LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A baker specializing in gluten-free desserts, cookies, kiffles and different treats has discovered a recipe for achievement in Northampton County.
Nichole Malone, who has been baking for household and mates for a few years, in late 2021 took her ardour for pastry arts to the following stage by establishing her personal home-based enterprise, Stonefield Farm Bakery.
Since her husband was recognized with Celiac illness greater than a decade in the past, Malone has turn into well-versed in baking an array of gluten-free desserts, together with pies, cheesecakes and cupcakes, and he or she determined to make this the main focus of her new enterprise.
Stonefield Farm Bakery, at 2093 Leithsville Highway in Decrease Saucon Township, additionally provides conventional baked items, however Malone has observed the demand for gluten-free gadgets skyrocket over the previous 12 months to the purpose that she’s been making about 80% gluten-free baked items and 20% conventional.
To accommodate the gluten-free gadgets’ reputation, Malone determined to outfit a second work area – a devoted gluten-free kitchen – within the third bay of her storage. Contractors enclosed the area, including new partitions, plumbing, electrical shops and kitchen gear.
In late Could, following a state inspection and attainment of a license for the brand new kitchen, Malone started baking out of the brand new area.
“I am actually excited to have this new area as a result of my dwelling kitchen was getting just a bit bit too crowded,” Malone stated. “Now, I’ve a much bigger area and might consider doing the gluten-free gadgets with out having to fret about cross-contamination. I used to be all the time very cautious, however this takes it to the following stage and offers the purchasers much more peace of thoughts.”
Previous to setting up the gluten-free kitchen, Malone was going to nice lengths to forestall gluten-free gadgets from coming into contact with gluten-containing substances in her dwelling’s kitchen.
She used two ovens – one for baking gluten-free meals and the opposite for gluten-containing meals, and he or she additionally saved substances in separate pantries and used separate mixers, pans, utensils and different gear.
“I would bake all the gluten-free gadgets within the morning, after which within the afternoon, I would do all the conventional gadgets,” Malone stated. “Then, I would not bake for twenty-four hours, scrubbing every part down within the meantime, earlier than I would start baking gluten-free gadgets once more. It received to the purpose the place I used to be baking nonstop, and it received arduous to juggle. So, that is after I knew that I wanted a separate kitchen for the gluten-free gadgets.”
Whereas Malone has been baking for a lot of her life, she grew to find it irresistible much more in 2017, when she began working for a catering firm on weekends and discovered tips of the commerce from a educated pastry chef.
When COVID hit in early 2020, Malone realized how a lot she really loved it “when occasions and every part else got here to a standstill,” she stated.
“Unexpectedly, I turned bored and thought, ‘Now what do I do?'” Malone stated. “Once I was speaking to my husband about it, he stated, ‘Why do not you look into going into baking by yourself?’ So, that is what I did.”
Stonefield accepts pre-orders of quite a lot of custom-made treats, together with decadent cheesecakes, cupcakes, and pies, many that includes regionally sourced substances equivalent to fruit from Stonefield’s neighbor, Bechdolt’s Orchards, and eggs from chickens that Malone raises on her property.
The enterprise’ top-seller – in each the gluten-free and conventional classes – is a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on the highest and facet and a chocolate ganache drizzle.
“My second most requested cake is a strawberries and cream cake, which is a vanilla cake with contemporary strawberries in between the layers and contemporary strawberry puree that I make and whipped cream on the perimeters and prime,” Malone stated.
Across the holidays, Stonefield’s kiffles are additionally highly regarded, Malone stated. Conventional varieties embrace apricot, lekvar, walnut and raspberry, and Malone donates a portion of proceeds to an area cat shelter as a part of a “Kiffles for Kittens” fundraiser.
For the newest Stonefield Farm Bakery information, observe the enterprise’ pages on Fb and Instagram. To put an order, name 610-704-1391 or e-mail [email protected]. Data: stonefieldfarmbakery.com.
Extra foodie finds
‘We’re very excited’: Vallos Bakery, a virtually century-old enterprise, opens 2nd Lehigh Valley location
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An iconic bakery – identified for its contemporary breads, desserts, doughnuts and pastries – has expanded its footprint within the Lehigh Valley.
Vallos Bakery, a virtually century-old enterprise at 800 Broadway in Salisbury Township, opened a second location on Thursday, June 1, on the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
The stand operates on the decrease stage of the market, close to Meals of the Mediterranean and S. Clyde Weaver. Full story right here.
Mattress Head, a vegan brunch restaurant, opening quickly in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A brand new vacation spot for vegan eggs, waffles, sandwiches and different brunch favorites is coming quickly to Bethlehem.
Mattress Head Vegan Brunch Home, providing vegan breakfast and lunch specialties, is anticipated to open by the tip of June at 310 E. Goepp St., co-owner and chef Chadwick Aufderhar stated.
For about 13 years, the constructing housed Hometown Heroes, a former neighborhood pub that transitioned into a restaurant in its ultimate 12 months of enterprise in 2017. Learn extra right here.
Standard Lehigh Valley ice cream store opening 2nd location in Whitehall
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A well-liked ice cream store is increasing its footprint within the Lehigh Valley.
Simply Chill Creamery, which opened in 2021 at 1325 Chestnut St. in Emmaus, is planning to open a second location at midday Tuesday at 5503 MacArthur Highway in Whitehall Township.
The area, within the Eagle Level Plaza, was the previous dwelling of King Kone – a 32-year-old ice cream store that moved straight throughout MacArthur Highway to 4128 Springmill Highway in January. Learn extra.
‘Cannot wait to be again’: After 3-year hiatus, beloved Easton deli units reopening date
EASTON, Pa. – After a three-year pause, a beloved Easton eatery is about to return this weekend, simply in time to have a good time its fortieth anniversary.
Josie’s New York Deli, which quickly closed in March 2020 as a result of coronavirus pandemic, will reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday in its fully renovated digs at 14 Centre Sq., proprietor Josie Koury stated.
“All people’s been ready,” Koury stated. “Whoever I see, they are saying, ‘I am unable to wait till you open.’ I am wanting ahead to seeing everybody once more.” Full story right here.
Mall updates
2 new vacancies, 2 tenants coming quickly, a number of shops transferring at Lehigh Valley Mall
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – As spring fades to summer time, adjustments are heating up on the Lehigh Valley Mall.
Two companies are coming quickly, two storefronts have just lately turn into vacant, and several other companies are relocating on the two-story purchasing middle at MacArthur Highway and Route 22 in Whitehall Township. Learn extra right here.
Amid redevelopment, Westgate Mall welcomes new tenant
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A brand new tenant is becoming a member of the Westgate Mall in Bethlehem.
Oak Road Well being, a community of value-based major care facilities centered on adults on Medicare – particularly underserved seniors and communities of shade, is opening its twelfth Pennsylvania middle on Tuesday, June 6, at 1336 Catasauqua Highway.
The ten,000-square-foot middle, on the south finish of the purchasing complicated, fills a renovated area that beforehand housed Ceremony Support. Learn extra.
Incomes nationwide recognition
Easton Public Market in working for greatest in US: Here is easy methods to vote
When you take pleasure in purchasing on the Easton Public Market, now you can assist it take the primary spot.
Easton Public Market is within the working and might be named America’s greatest in a USA Immediately ballot. Full story right here.
Restaurant in Emmaus will get nationwide recognition
EMMAUS, Pa. – You’ll find one of many prime burgers in America proper in Emmaus, in accordance with Yelp.
The Burgery Firm got here in at 94 on its prime 100 burger listing for 2023.
Nick Billera and his household began the Burgery Firm in 2009 and merged it with their different enterprise, Home and Barn, throughout the road through the pandemic. Learn extra right here.
Closing notes
104-year-old restaurant chain vacates Lehigh Valley
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A greater than century-old restaurant chain – identified for its made-on-site root beer and “all American meals” – now not has a presence within the Lehigh Valley.
A&W, the Lexington, Kentucky-based chain serving up hamburgers, sizzling canines, milkshakes and extra, closed a couple of month in the past at 2184 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem.
The eatery was the quick-service model’s solely Lehigh Valley location. Learn extra.
‘COVID closures hit us very arduous’: Allentown restaurant, leisure facility completely closing
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A enterprise combining contemporary meals and drinks with indoor golf and video games is ending operations in Lehigh County.
The Candy Spot Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant and bar that includes Topgolf Swing Suite golf simulator bays, will maintain its final day of enterprise on June 30 at 2805 Lehigh St. in Allentown, in accordance with a message posted Monday on the enterprise’ Fb web page.
The Candy Spot opened in November 2019 in a constructing that was beforehand dwelling to different eating institutions, together with Bob Evans and Brazilian steakhouse Rodizio Grill. Full story right here.
Northampton County restaurant closes, restructuring to meals truck
A restaurant allotting Turkish specialties is transitioning to a brand new enterprise mannequin within the Lehigh Valley.
Mersin on Most important, serving Mediterranean favorites equivalent to falafel, tabouli and lamb and beef gyros, on Sunday ended restaurant providers at 200 Most important St. in Tatamy, Northampton County, in accordance with a put up on the enterprise’ Fb web page.
The enterprise has a brand new identify, Gyro on Wheels, and can give attention to cell operations. Learn extra right here.
‘Thanks for all the love’: Standard Italian restaurant quickly closes in Lehigh County
SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A vacation spot for pizza, pasta and different Italian favorites is quickly closed in Lehigh County.
Vivo Italian Kitchen, a full-service restaurant specializing in genuine Italian delicacies, quickly closed on Tuesday at 4558 Crackersport Highway in South Whitehall Township, in accordance with a put up on the enterprise’ Fb web page.
“We’ve loved the years serving our company basic, genuine Italian, and thanks for all the love, patronage and help,” the message continues. “Updates will probably be introduced as they turn into accessible. Within the meantime, proceed to help your native eating places. As we’ve seen, individuals coming collectively to take pleasure in good meals and heat hospitality, result in unprecedented reminiscences.” Learn extra.
Odds and ends
New Lehigh County retailer providing money on the spot for gently used children’ garments, toys, equipment
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A brand new Lehigh County retailer wants the neighborhood’s assist in filling up its racks and cabinets with gently used youngsters’s gadgets.
As soon as Upon a Youngster, a retail chain that buys and sells gently used children’ clothes, toys, child gear and extra, opened for purchasing solely on Monday, June 5, at 1932 Catasauqua Highway in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
The shop, occupying an end-unit area that beforehand housed Mattress Agency within the Valley Plaza, must fill 8,000 sq. ft of area with merchandise earlier than it may well start promoting merchandise.
