Did you grow up in Philadelphia?
If you did, do you remember Washington Cake?
The Making of Washington Cake at Haegele's Bakery
in Philadelphia PA
Richard Haegele adds molasses to the mixture
Washington Cake is a fond childhood memory
for many Philadelphians.
Richard Haegele adds flour to the mixture
Entering into a family owned bakery in Philadelphia,
you could purchase
a square of Washington Cake for a nickel.
Freddy removes the beater from the batter.
Today, many of those small bakeries are gone,
and along with them, Washington Cake.
Freddy weighs and fills the pans with batter.
But not Haegele's Bakery!
Glen Haegele evens up the batter.
Haegele's Bakery has been in business
since 1930 when
August and Helen Haegele
opened shop.
Today, the bakery is still in the family
and operated by August and Helen's
grandson, Glen, and his wife, Cheryl.
Glen Haegele begins icing the cake.
Glen and Cheryl's children are often called in
for an extra hand during the busy seasons.
That makes the Haegele's Bakery
a fourth generation business!
Glen Haegele prepares to decorate the cake.
When visiting the bakery,
little has changed since the early days.
Glen Haegele adds the decorative icing.
The oven, mixer,
even the apple peeler
are all vintage items still in use today.
Adding a little pizzazz!
When something breaks,
Haegeles find a way to repair it
instead of replacing it.
The finished product.
Cheryl Haegele packages an order of Washington Cake.
As soon as the tray was delivered to the bakery storefront,
1/2 dozen squares were purchased.
As soon as the tray was delivered to the bakery storefront,
1/2 dozen squares were purchased.
And they have been making
Washington Cake through all these years.
Here is the vintage apple peeler in use.
It has nothing to do with Washington Cake.
It is just cool!
It has nothing to do with Washington Cake.
It is just cool!
So you if find yourself with a craving
from your childhood,
handmade just the way you remember it...
give Haegele's Bakery a call.
Haegele's Bakery
4164 Barnett Street
Philadelphia, PA 19135
(215) 624-0117
Open Tuesday thru Saturday.
Extended holiday hours.
Call for hours.
Open Tuesday thru Saturday.
Extended holiday hours.
Call for hours.
6 comments:
I've never heard of Washington cake, but if it has molasses, I'm in for a BIG piece. I love these trips to the bakery, it's so cool the shop is still open.
Becky, what a great display and awesome photography!!
I love how you weave the story. I've never heard of Washington cake either, probably because I'm not from Philly but it looks divine. Oh, and what a treat for the bakery that they have you to advertise for them. :)
Not surprisingly, I haven't heard of Washington Cake either but it sure looks good! And I'm sure that piece in the third last shot had my name on it. Your photos tell part of the story, thanks for the history to complete it.
By far the best bakery in Philly. Everything here is just delicious!
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Oh my...I have never tasted Washington cake...I know...where have I been☺ But after this post...I have to make it a priority to check this off the list.
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