The Bakery

I give it a «meh» for a few reasons:
1. The butter tarts are very inconsistent — I ordered 6 plain, and got one with raisins anyway; half were runny messes (a proper tart should be on the verge, but not peeing on your shirt!); one had 2 crusts (= no quality control in the baking or in the counter worker being selective).
2. Expensive, which to me means it must be a bit of a tourist trap ($ 4.95 for a meat pie?! Holy crap!). I don’t even want to know what the tarts cost, but 4 meat pies, one loaf of bread, 2 Apple fritters and the tarts was $ 40 — yike!
3. On my first visit the door was wide open and the place was full of flies. Ick.
There are so many places to get such epic tarts outside of Toronto — this need not be one of them. The tarts are a «2», but the donuts and Chelsea loaves hold some promise for breakfasts for those heading to the cottage.

The Bakery has been in Gravenhurst for 56 years so they know what they’re doing. Chelsea buns here are a must. They also have great butter tarts!
Gluten free options are also available, people drive from all over for the gluten free bread.

Their cream-​filed donuts are very good. Get there early before all the good treats are gone

The Bakery gave me my first taste of the ever popular Canadian Butter Tart. Butter Tarts are unique to Canada and consist of a flaky pastry shell that is filled with a saccharine blend of butter, brown sugar and eggs. It’s similar to the base used in a Pecan Pie without the nut topping. Being a «pie person», I couldn’t wait to try the much talked about baked mini pie treat.
My first try with Butter Tarts wasn’t exactly a positive one due to the center being unbelievably runny and overly sweet. I think the reason for the runny center is due to the use of corn syrup which in my opinion is too messy and not as delicious as a firm set center. After a bit of talk with my guy who grew up in Toronto I learned that not all Butter Tarts are made equal some can have a soft center, a short crust or contain additional ingredients such as raisins, butterscotch or coconut.
Being the purist that I am I loved it in its untainted tart form. I find the best tarts to have a soft filling with a crisp and crumbly shell. While my first experience wasn’t the worst it wasn’t my favorite either. But if you are looking for a Butter Tart with a gooey center then The Bakery is the place for you.
I was also urged to try the Nanaimo bar also know as «Canada’s Favourite Confection» made up of a chocolate no-​bake square it consists of a wafer crumb-​based layer, topped by a layer of vanilla or custard flavored butter icing, which is covered in chocolate made from melted chocolate squares. I know it’s possible that my next statement could lead to my being banned from ever setting foot on Canadian soil again but I am not a fan of the Nanaimo’s sweetness or the butter icing it literally gave me a sugar rush headache.
The one item I absolutely fell in love with was the Seven Sisters dessert bread which is something like a massive cinnamon roll with various nuts, maple syrup and raisins baked into it. I can’t say enough about how delicious it was warmed paired with a cup of coffee. This is a must, must try.