Rochester — The Home Bakery is an iconic bakery run by a world-class cake artist, but I’d made the mistake of driving past the storefront dozens of times.
Owner Heather Tocco is capable of making confections look like football players and stadium food.
Last fall, Tocco created a life-size edible likeness of Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. After that, she was invited to participate on the Food Network cooking show “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.”
In the window are life-size replicas of Detroit Lions players made out of Rice Krispies, fondant and frosting. Cakes on the counter are polished, world-class display pieces. There are also dozens of treats for sale: cookies, muffins, donuts, cinnamon rolls.
The bakery is also known for its Kronuts, croissant dough that’s been fried and frosted. What’s not to love about that?
The Home Bakery offers specialty donuts seasonally. There are Valentine Kronuts available during February. It’s a great way to offer exclusive options to people who like to celebrate with sugar.
I am one of those people, but I don’t even need something beside the sugar to celebrate. When I was a kid, I would make a box of cake mix for myself and eat it throughout the week for breakfast. Since then, I’ve gotten better at baking and cooking.
I know how hard it is to make donuts. It’s even harder to get them to look amazing. Still more difficult is getting them to look like a hamburger or hot dog, but that’s what Tocco and her staff does.
The hot dogs and hamburger donuts are a real treat to eat because there’s a disconnect between your eyes and your mouth. Instead of coriander and mystery meat, the pink buttercream frosting in the hot dog just tastes like buttercream.
The faux hamburgers rely on artfully arranged fondant for the pickles, cheese and tomatoes. While I don’t prefer the lackluster crunchiness, it’s not hard to remove them. Those with allergies should note the nuts on top of the fake bun instead of sesame seeds.
Order the donuts a day in advance, put them in the fridge, and then surprise your family by putting them in your Super Bowl spread on Sunday. (The bakery is closed Sundays, so plan accordingly.)
The Home Bakery has a deep history in the community. The Rollin Sprague Building that houses the business is the oldest commercial building in Rochester. It was built by Dr. Rollin Sprague in 1849 out of coursed cobblestone—the only known commercial building of the sort in Michigan.
And the bakery moved in all the way back in 1930.
That many decades of cake and confections takes a community that’s supportive. It also takes bakers who are innovative, pushing the bounds of what’s possible and looking for opportunities to stand out.
The Home Bakery is proof that we have world-class artisans in our hometowns. But you’ll never know if you keep driving by. So put in an order, go to Rochester, and get something fun for yourself and your family.
Brendan Clarey is deputy editor of Michigan Enjoyer.
