My first stop was to Atwater's. I was so happy to see the woman there stocking the freshly made soups and people in the back making delicious-smelling breads. There were so many choices and I was interested in almost everything, but I decided to pick up a container of gazpacho and a loaf of raisin pumpernickel bread. The gazpacho tasted so fresh and bright. I loved all of the flavors that stood out in it and the lightness of the overall soup. I wish I had some more right now! The bread was also amazing and I had it for breakfast for quite a few days. It wasn't too sweet, but the raisins gave it a really nice flavor. I saw some in the Atwater's in Annapolis about a week ago and I was very tempted to buy it again!
Then I headed over to Sugarbaker's, which is in a beautiful old building. The people there were very pleasant and helpful, but I had my eye on the prize: their Smith Island Cake. I love Smith Island Cake when it's good, but it seems like a lot of bakeries make it too dry. This is supposed to be one of the best places in Baltimore to get it, plus it's made with peanut butter cups in the icing! It took serious willpower to wait until after dinner to eat it, but it was well worth the wait. The cake is not dry at all and is just as spongy and moist as any cake should be, despite the thin layers. The icing is amazing and surprisingly not too rich with all of the chocolaty peanut butter goodness. I am eager to try more of their cakes, but I might just keep going for that one.
