Checking In at: Cocoa Bakery, Jersey City NJ

For some unfathomable reason we neglected to take any pictures at Cocoa Bakery, or any photos of the cake we brought to a friend’s place, but we do want to put in a good word, because Cocoa Bakery is far from your run-of-the-mill neighborhood bakery. The owner and pastry chef, Jessica Isaacs, was once head pastry chef at Nobu.

Cake Truffles

We purchased a chocolate cake, filled with chocolate buttercream and crunchy little chocolate cookie pearls, and frosted with more chocolate buttercream. The cake itself was moist and chocolaty and the cookie pearls are an inspired addition. As with all true buttercream cakes it is best eaten after several hours at room temperature, so the buttercream softens from its “cold butter” texture.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Whoopie Pies

As good as the cake was, perhaps even better was a pecan bar we shared at the shop. This was the finest pecan bar we’ve ever had, delicate and crumbly with a clear flavor of lots of pure butter and crunchy nuts. Magnificent!

Chocolate mousse, layered with chocolate cookie crumbles, glazed on top with more chocolate

Cakes are best pre-ordered, and they are not inexpensive. If you just show up, however, they are likely to have a small selection on hand. They also specialize in something called Cake Truffles, in a multitude of flavors (examples: praline brownie, carrot gingersnap, lemon). These are balls of cake crumbs and frosting, covered in chocolate and rolled in cookie crumbs. They look and sound terrific! Can’t wait to try some on another visit.