Buying Baked Goods in Mexico

Learning to shop has been an ongoing goal for me. I can’t say I know exactly where to get everything yet, but I feel that I’ve made some progress. Today I’d like to highlight the ins and outs of buying baked goods.

Rolls, buns, sweet bread, and doughnuts can be bought at the local panadería (bakery). The items are on shelves behind glass, or sometimes plastic sheeting.  To select the items, you pick up a pair of tongs and pile a tray high.

Our baker makes an assortment a good stuff and has others brought daily from a larger panificadora (bread maker).

Cakes are not sold whole at either of these establishments, although you can often find sheet cakes cut up to purchase by the piece. If you want a whole cake, you’ll need to to go the pastelería (cake shop).  Be aware that unless otherwise specified, any cake you order will be of the tres leches variety (sponge cake soaked in condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream)  which needs immediate refrigeration.  You can pre-order your cake if you have a particular flavor preference otherwise there are usually several options made that morning for you to choose from.  Some pastelería offer “American cake” which is yellow cake but often has fruit or jelly instead of frosting between the layers.

If you are looking for something a little fancier, you might try the repostería or postería (pastry shop). Not only can your order cakes, but you can often find cupcakes, cookies, pies, empanadas, and jello.

Then there’s this place to take your baked goods to a whole new level. Here you’ll find artisan bread. And yes, they are displayed as if you were at a gallery.

So where do you get your baked goods?