A Connecticut Gluten-Free Bakery Packed With Cakes, Cookies And Treats Worth Stocking Up On

Being gluten-free should not turn a bakery case into a window-shopping experience. Dessert is much more enjoyable when you actually have choices. This bakery makes choosing the problem instead.

Cakes and cookies fill the selection alongside plenty of other sweets, giving gluten-free customers more room to indulge than a single token option.

For anyone searching Connecticut for gluten-free treats, this bakery offers enough temptation to make buying extras seem perfectly reasonable. That variety matters.

Sometimes you want something for a celebration. On another day, you simply want a treat waiting at home when the craving arrives, with no ingredient-label detective work required first.

Stocking up starts sounding sensible remarkably quickly.

A good gluten-free bakery should make you think about flavor before restrictions, and a well-filled display case certainly helps. The hardest decision may be figuring out what belongs in today’s box and what deserves another box for later.

1. Everything Here Is Made Completely Gluten-Free

No second-guessing the dessert case. Everything here is gluten-free.

That makes choosing a cake, cookie, or little afternoon treat considerably easier for people across Connecticut who normally have to study every bakery label before taking a bite.

By The Way Bakery makes its entire collection without gluten, and the company says its baked goods are prepared in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Ingredients are carefully sourced, while products are regularly tested as another safeguard in the baking process.

The approach has attracted attention beyond everyday customers. Products from the bakery have been recommended by the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, giving gluten-free shoppers another reason to feel confident about what they are buying.

Texture gets plenty of attention, too. Instead of depending on a standard packaged flour substitute, the bakers developed their own gluten-free flour blend.

That helps different treats get the consistency they need, from tender cakes to cookies with a satisfying bite.

Everything is made from scratch in small batches, keeping the focus on traditional bakery techniques rather than simply creating substitutes for familiar desserts.

Best of all, the selection does not feel like a compromise. Cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, and other sweets offer plenty to choose from, making this the kind of bakery where stocking up becomes very tempting.

2. Greenwich Avenue Puts The Bakery Near Plenty Of Shopping

Shopping works up an appetite fast. A cookie break solves that problem beautifully.

With one of Greenwich’s busiest retail areas nearby, By The Way Bakery makes an easy sweet stop before, during, or after an afternoon of browsing.

Greenwich Avenue is known for its mix of luxury labels, national retailers, smaller boutiques, and galleries. Big fashion names share the area with local businesses, so it is easy to spend several hours exploring without covering much distance.

That makes the bakery especially convenient. Stop earlier in the day for a muffin or slice of cake, then continue shopping without turning dessert into a separate trip.

Saving the bakery for last works just as well, particularly if the goal is taking a box of gluten-free treats home.

Cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes, and other baked goods provide plenty of options when something sweet sounds good. Everything is gluten-free, so the whole display is open to shoppers avoiding gluten rather than just one small section.

By The Way Bakery operates at 19 East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, between Greenwich Avenue and Mason Street.

Street parking is available around the surrounding area, although spaces can become harder to grab during busy periods. Current store hours vary by day, so checking the latest schedule before visiting can make planning easier.

Then all that remains is deciding what belongs in the box.

3. Cakes Have Become One Of Its Signature Specialties

Some people come in for one cookie and leave with a whole cake. Honestly, it is hard to blame them once they see the lineup.

The layer cake menu reads like a greatest hits list. Classic Chocolate, Simply Vanilla, Red Velvet, and Carrot cover the traditional favorites.

Then things get more playful with choices like Coconut Cloud, Lemony Lemon, Sprinkle Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Vanilla Raspberry, Black and White, Chocolate Espresso, and a mystery-sounding option simply called The M.

Specialty cakes bring a homier, heritage feel. Babka, Chocolate Truffle Torte, Honey Cake, Lemon Poppy Swirl, Mama’s Apple Cake, and Safta’s Seven Layer Cake all appear on the menu.

Fun fact: Safta is a Hebrew word for grandmother, which hints at the family-style roots behind that recipe.

Not ready to commit to a full cake? Mini cakes solve that problem.

Look for the Amy Cake, the Lemon Poppy Seed Mini Cake, and the Schnibbles Mini Cake, which make great single treats or small gifts.

Visitors frequently mention how moist the cakes are, a big deal since gluten-free cakes can sometimes turn crumbly. A daily selection of 6-inch layer cakes is usually ready in the shop, which is handy when you need something special on short notice.

4. Cookies Give The Display Cases Plenty Of Variety

Chocolate chip or almond? Crunchy or chewy? Those are the happy problems you face in front of the cookie case here.

The Almond Cookies deserve first mention because they have won awards. They have a crunchy outside and a soft, chewy middle, and they come up again and again when people talk about this bakery.

The Chocolate Chip Cookies are a local favorite too, the kind of classic that works for a lunchbox or an afternoon snack.

Chocolate lovers should try the Fudge Brownie Cookies. They are flourless, rich, and have a crisp yet chewy bite, almost like a brownie shaped into a cookie.

Then there are the Coconut Pecan Chewies, which mix the best parts of a coconut macaroon and a chocolate chip cookie into one treat.

For something a bit more old-world, Linzers are filled with bright red raspberry jam. Biscotti round things out, and their firm texture makes them perfect for dunking into a warm drink.

Here is a practical tip: cookies travel well, so they are easy to stock up on. Grab a mix of flavors, share a few right away, and save the rest for later in the week.

Just try to be patient, because that is harder than it sounds.

5. Dairy-Free Choices Expand The Selection Even Further

Gluten gets most of the attention, but this bakery goes a big step further. Every baked good here is also dairy-free.

That is a bigger deal than it might sound. Plenty of gluten-free bakeries still use butter, milk, and cream, which leaves people with dairy allergies out of luck.

At By the Way Bakery, the kitchen stays strictly dairy-free, so no dairy products are used in the baking at all.

How do they keep cakes rich and frosting creamy without butter? The bakers use different dairy alternatives, picking the right one for each product.

A muffin might need something different than a buttercream, and the recipes are built around those needs.

Families who keep kosher get good news too. All the baked goods are certified kosher pareve, meaning they can be enjoyed alongside either meat or dairy meals under kosher guidelines.

That makes the treats easy to bring to holiday dinners and gatherings.

Many visitors with dairy allergies say finding this shop felt like a relief. Some shoppers without any allergies at all simply come back because they like the taste.

If you are shopping for a group with mixed diets, this is a smart place to start, since one box can please nearly everyone at the table.

6. Seasonal Bakes Change Things Up Throughout The Year

The dessert case likes to change. Fall makes it especially tempting.

One visit might bring a familiar favorite, while the next adds a seasonal cake that gives you another excuse to stop.

Pumpkin is one of the flavors that appears as temperatures cool. The Pumpkin Bundtlette is a small bundt-style cake designed as an individual treat, making it an easy choice when you want something seasonal without bringing home a full-size dessert.

Holiday baking brings another round of specialties. Around the High Holidays, By The Way Bakery offers traditional treats such as Honey Cake and Safta’s Seven Layer Cake.

Mama’s Apple Cake also joins the celebration, bringing another classic flavor to the table.

Because the seasonal menu rotates throughout the year, some treats are only available for a limited period. Planning ahead can be helpful when a particular cake is meant for a holiday gathering or family meal.

Ordering early also takes away the last-minute scramble when celebrations get closer.

That changing selection gives regular customers something different to look forward to. You can return for a cookie or cake you already love and still spot something unexpected in the display.

It is a simple idea that keeps bakery runs interesting. Follow the seasons, check what has arrived, and dessert may never look quite the same twice.

7. Celebration Orders Go Well Beyond Everyday Treats

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and holiday dinners all deserve a cake that everyone can actually eat. This is where the bakery really shines for families with food allergies.

Need something today? The shop usually keeps a selection of 6-inch layer cakes ready to go, which is perfect for a last-minute celebration.

For bigger parties or a specific flavor, you can pre-order larger sizes and more flavor options with 48 hours’ notice.

That two-day window is worth remembering. Mark it on your calendar when planning a party, and you will have plenty of choices instead of settling for whatever is in the case.

Cupcakes are another great party option since they are easy to hand out and need no slicing. Flavors include Black and White, Chocolate Espresso, Classic Chocolate, Coconut Cloud, Lemony Lemon, Red Velvet, Carrot, The M, and Vanilla Chiffon.

A mixed dozen lets guests pick their own favorite.

For larger family gatherings, Safta’s Seven Layer Cake is designed to serve about ten to twelve people. Many customers say the staff is helpful when planning orders, and some families return year after year for birthday cakes.

When a child with allergies gets to enjoy the same cake as everyone else, that moment means a lot.

8. A Small Storefront Holds An Impressive Selection

Good things really do come in small packages. The Greenwich shop is compact, but the glass cases are packed from end to end.

Beyond the cakes and cookies, you will find muffins, scones, breads, and other small treats. Muffins get plenty of love from regulars, and the cream puffs are a frequent favorite among visitors, who often describe them as soft and fresh.

Brownies and whoopie pies also pop up in conversations about the shop.

This is mainly a grab-and-go spot rather than a sit-down café, so plan to take your goodies with you. The good news is that Greenwich has plenty of pleasant places to stroll while you nibble.

A simple coffee selection is usually available if you want something warm to pair with your treat.

Keep an eye out for a charming little extra: a small section of greeting cards, candles, and matches. It is surprisingly handy when you are picking up a birthday cake and forgot the candles.

The shop has an old-fashioned charm that fits its handmade approach. Many visitors describe it as tidy and well organized, which makes browsing easy even when it gets busy.

Come with a bag or plan for a box, because leaving with just one item is a real challenge.