Decadent Delight to open retail bakeshop on West Huron

Sign outside the Decadent Delight bakeshop at 416 W. Huron.

David Bardallis | Contributor

“It all started when I was hungry for some chocolate chip cookies.”

So begins pastry chef Bryant Stuckey’s bio page on decadentdelight.com, the Web site for his Ann Arbor-based custom cake and pastry business. His designer wedding cakes, cookies, and specialty desserts have attracted a loyal following, but what he was missing after all his years by the oven was a storefront. That’s about to change as Stuckey prepares to open his bakery at 416 W. Huron (across from the YMCA) as a retail bakeshop beginning Dec. 1.

Stuckey, who previously worked as a pastry chef in Chicago before joining Ann Arbor’s departed Moveable Feast, bought the existing Decadent Delight in 2005 and expanded its menu from just desserts to include a wider range of offerings such as “traditional and not-so-traditional wedding cakes.” The retail store will widen the range of Decadent Delight treats even more.

“I’ve always wanted the bakery to be a full retail bakery but, most importantly, we’ve had an increasing number of customer requests for an expanded menu,” says Stuckey. “So we will be offering breakfast pastries, fresh-baked croissants, cinnamon rolls, and locally roasted coffee, as well as a wide selection of desserts like Flourless Chocolate Tortes, Tiramisu, and cheesecakes.”

Custom pre-orders are, of course, still more than welcome, but if you’re ordering something for the holidays, earlier is better. “We are a boutique operation and our order capacity fills up quickly,” warns Stuckey.

The bakery’s regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8am to 1pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm (closed Sunday and Monday), but Stuckey says there will be special holiday hours toward the latter part of December. There will also be a special holiday menu, featuring such desserts as Chocolate Trinity, Poached Pear Almond Tart, and Buche de Noel. Delivery (within Ann Arbor) is also available.

A final word from Bryant Stuckey: “Come by for the opening; we will be giving out free samples!”

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest.