The Able Baker

Very fresh and of fantastic quality. The manager is always very nice and friendly when I come in the store. Although the regular baked goods are great, the quality of custom orders (i.e. Birthday cakes) is what really stands out. I have ordered 3 birthday and 2 holiday cakes since I discovered this bakery and am more than happy to report that my family, friends, and coworkers loved them, and that they were ready on time with no mistakes. I look forward ro returning to the Able Baker soon.

I have loved this bakery since it opened. Am a cupcake nut too. Their cupcakes are the best and I have had Billy’s, magnolia, sprinkles, little cupcake bake shop, butter lane, baked by Melissa and more. Just went in today deb 5 as they reopened after expanding their space. Wow. More space and same charm and quality. Get my pies here too. If it’s going to be a bit fattening, I want it to be worth it. It’s worth it here. Finally, I run a non profit and the owner Julia is quite charitable in donating treats. She had her heart in the right place making me always recommend the able baker.

I am always on the lookout for bakeries/​coffeeshops around the area that serve fresh, homemade baked goods instead of resorting to Starbucks. The Able Baker is just delightful and definitely worth the 20 minute drive. Upon entering the bakery you are greeted by the warm aroma of cakes and coffee. You feel like melting and living there forever. They have a variety of baked goods… everything from scones, cookies, and cakes to pies, brownies, and cupcakes. I always have the urge to order one of everything. The banana bread is one of my favorites but you can’t go wrong with anything else.

Utterly delightful, the Able Baker makes me glad to live in a town without a coffee retail chain.
Its checkerboard floor tiles, café seating and fresh-​baked goods make it much more than a caffeine stop, though it is that, too. The chalkboard menu and the cheery staff impart a small-​town feel that’s hard to replicate or beat, not to mention that it serves up some great coffee and scones while you walk up and down the length of Maplewood Avenue and shop the stores along it.
On a recent trip there, I was served by an employee who appeared to be confused by a request to grind a pound of coffee beans, mentioning that she had to ask the supervisor, going to the back area, returning with unground beans, acting surprised that we wanted coffee beans ground, repeating that she had to ask a supervisor, disappearing for a moment into the back and returning yet again with unground beans. It does seem that grinding coffee beans would be a standard courtesy extended to customers, but maybe it’s not? We went home with whole beans. First-​world problems, I know, but it was a bit puzzling.
Although weekends can get a bit crowded, tables turn over quickly enough that you can find a seat if you really want to. Also, it helps if you have someone to hover over tables until one frees up while you stand on the order line.
I’m a fan and only wish it were closer!

Long Story Short: Very poor customer service!
While my wife does like the cupcakes. I literally just called to see if they could do a cake order for her b-​day which falls on the 27^th on this month Thanksgiving. The young lady on the phone was not very polite, I asked if I could have a cake for the day before thanksgiving, she said no we cant do that, we are booked for cakes during the week of Thanksgiving (totally understand your busy for thanksgiving), I asked well what about Friday the 20^th, she said no were booked that weekend too. Okay no problem, what days are you available this month to make a cake, her response «Were not we are booked all month and not doing cake orders» She was very harsh, rude and not customer service oriented. I will not use them again and will tell my maple wood/​south orange neighbors/​friends about my experience.
The Not Able to Do Anything During November Baker

i know this place is known for its crazy hours so i had the chance to go early and i’m glad i did! me and my friend went and she got coffee and loved it. i got 2 vanilla cookies with a chocolate drop in the middle and 2 oreo looking ones. so good! i wanna go back and try more!

Good place to come a try some sweets out. They have one of the best cupcakes around as well as some great tasting chocolate chip scones. Staff was great couldn’t be any better they was nice, polite, and kept a smile on their face.

Simply awesome!!!
I mean everything is perfectly made and delicious with these skilled bakers. We are fortunate to have the rich tastes and smells perforate our town all year long
It is worth the trip if you are from out of town and should be a staple for locals

Just FANTASTIC. Cute, quaint, and friendly shop with out-​of-​this-​world baked goods and coffee. There are probably only 10 seats inside of the shop, with another 4 outside, but it never really felt crowded.
We ordered come carrot cake cupcakes, banana bread, iced coffee, and cookies (to go). Everything was delicious and tasted so fresh. I was most surprised when I found out that some of the items I bought were gluten free because they were THAT good.
I would 100% recommend this spot if you are in the area. Parking is a little tight out front, but there is a lot of street parking in the area.
Just a tip: if you want to order a cake from them, they said they they would prefer a 2+ week runway (either by email or phone).

Came here on a Friday late morning and surprisingly it was pretty busy. The baked goods are to die for. I ordered the banana bread and my sister got a chocolate chip scone. We then got the crumb cake, red velvet & chocolate espresso cupcakes, and some of their cute summer themed cookies to go! Everything was sooooo good. Their coffee is also great; I believe they use la colombe coffee :)

Excellent. They know what they are doing. Great coffee. Best in the area. Yummy cupcakes. Yummy baking. It’s great!

Love this place! The buttercream is just a little bit too sweet for my taste but the cakes and cupcakes are fresh and dense. The cookies are great! The banana bread is the best I’ve ever had, which is really saying something because I don’t usually like banana bread unless it involves chocolate/​peanut butter/​preferably both.

The Able Baker is one of the best bakeries I’ve ever been to! The daily selection of scones are delicious as is the everything else on the menu, including the coffee. This place is an amazing addition to Maplewood village.

Been a customer of Able’s for over a year — their commitment to quality baking makes them a total jewel and a magical weekend treat. I come for the scones, Able bakes both savory and sweet varieties that change every day. My favorite item, hands down, is their red velvet cupcake (it makes me cry. tears of AWESOME).

Called them from work at 3 pm on a weekday asking if they had any cakes on hand. They had three, and one of them was an almond cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream — couldn’t have been better. Not only did they hold the cake for me, they also piped a customized birthday message without even asking for a deposit.
When the cake was finally served at dinner, it was delicious. I received several remarks in agreement, as well as compliments on my excellent selection. They had no idea how easy it was.

The Able Baker is one of the best places to get coffee in the area. You can tell from the taste that they are using very high quality coffee beans. As an added bonus, they have possibly the best gluten free banana bread I have ever had. The place is small so getting a table may be difficult but there are plenty of benches nearby.

Great little bakery right on Maplewood Avenue all kinds of delicious treats and sweets all baked and made on the premises.

Had their chocolate chip scone and the cherry coconut scone. I liked the cherry one better. I’ve had better scones elsewhere but I definitely had no problem finishing these.

I came to Able Baker to inquire about ordering custom cake and cookies for a birthday party in two weeks. I was immediately shot down because apparently entire staff is on vacation for the entire month.
I totally agree with other reviewers. This place does NOT ooze customer service and makes it hard for me to want to give them my business.

The sweet aroma of baked goods and coffee hits you even before you walk in…, very friendly faces greet you upon arrival… there were an array of baked goods that all looked delicious. There were a few gluten free options, but thankfully I’m not and I’m in a bakery so I’m going to go crazy.
I was pleased to see La Colombe coffee, my absolute fave. The espresso and coffee were both delicious, freshly made. I had a sample of the brownie, it was divine, perfect amount of richness and texture. But I held out for the blueberry coffee cake just out of the oven, it was delicious, the blueberries added a nice touch to the traditional dessert and the crumble on top of generous.
Will definitely be back!