Love Shack

Just stopped by Sugar Shack Baking Company, a new pit stop for fat and calories on Lake City Way. The interior isn't nearly as Jetsons as the logo lead me to believe; inside I found good, old-fashioned American baked goods (and huge American portions) and a distinct lack of decor, 50's or otherwise. This is a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your leanings - I say they go all the way with the theme they've got going on the outside. Everyone loves a frilly apron.

I'm not a huge fan of scones, but they had so many kinds I felt like I had to have one. I went for a massive strawberry-lemon, and I was happy: fresh, flaky dough was folded over huge chunks of strawberries and glazed with sugary goodness, so that each bite had a little extra sweetness on top. The lemon flavor didn't really come through, but I appreciated that they aren't selling little crumbly bricks like many bakeries do.

The Mexican chocolate cookie was also a winner--it's a cookie so big and hearty you want to palm it like a discus and see how far it'll go, only I would recommend eating this cakey concoction over hucking it. With Mexican and dark chocolates, nuts, coconut, and a healthy dose of cinnamon, it's a cookie worth the trip to Maple Leaf. Even if there's nothing to look at while you munch away.

Important note: Don't confuse Sugar Shack with West Seattle's Sugar, a bakery with quite a different approach, whose owner apparently has some issues with the new shop's name. 

Sugar Shack Baking Company, 8056 Lake City Way.

Open Tues. - Sun., 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.