Le Dolci
Le Dolci has grown a lot over the years, originally operating out of a tiny boutique space on Dundas West and now having expanded to a teaching space, Scarborough Town Centre location and this wholesale space.
Though this spot is primarily dedicated to wholesale production, there is still a shop area at the front open on weekdays where small cakes, cookies and other products can be picked up without notice.
Otherwise, orders can be picked up from the Scarborough Town Centre on weekends. The culinary teaching space in the Junction is only open for classes.
This place is 4,000 square feet, as opposed to the 800 Le Dolci was crammed into on Dundas West, the last space even forcing staff to keep freezers out in the driveway.
A sweet and spicy pretzel and popcorn mix is pretty much the only savoury grab and go item, but it's made with just as much love as desserts here.
If you want to make a little Le Dolci magic at home, the front area also has jarred chocolate chip cookie kits.
There are also small, portable and affordable—yet still beautifully decorated—sugar cookies, perfect for a last-minute gift.
Cupcakes start at $16 for a half dozen in your desired assortment of flavours. They make Belgian chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, red velvet and other flavours, but funfetti is probably their most popular cake base.
Three colours of Madagascar vanilla buttercream swirled together tops popular Unicorn Cupcakes, which start at $27 for a half dozen.
They're also topped with a decorative fondant horn and tiny decorative balls that are both dusted with 24-karat edible gold.
Floral Fancies are labour-intensive and pricey at $59 for a dozen, but they look breathtaking, practically mini wedding cakes (something Le Dolci is also known for). Even for less intricate cupcakes, it takes about an hour to make just two dozen.
When it comes to custom cakes, they can create almost anything, topping themed cakes with sculpture work made out of Rice Krispies covered in fondant and hand-painting all the details.
Eunice the Unicorn cakes are $69 full-sized, but there are itty-bitty versions available for pickup.
They have other mini versions of their most popular beautifully decorated cakes, which might feature their excellent piping work or macarons stocked in the fridge, too.
Lorenzo the Llama ($89) is gaining on Eunice in terms of cake cuteness, both layer cakes made of funfetti bases with vanilla buttercream, Lorenzo's party hat made out of a sugar cone.
Le Dolci has even been known to make custom cakes for celebs and their kids, and they're capable of making products that are vegan and/or gluten-free. You can also find Le Dolci products at Pusateri's and McEwan.
Le Dolci has since moved to Sousa Mendes St. in the Junction Triangle neighbourhood and is now solely a culinary classroom without a bakery component.
Fareen Karim