Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery: Reflecting on a Remarkable 2024
As we bid farewell to 2024, we at Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery are filled with gratitude and pride for the milestones we’ve achieved and the community we’ve served. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights that made this year truly special.
Awards and Recognitions
- Best Bakery in Orlando: We are honored to have been named the Best Bakery in Orlando by both Orlando Weekly and Orlando Magazine for the second year in a row.
- Women of the Year Honoree: Our dedicated owner, Tricia Hage, was recognized as one of Orlando Magazine’s Women of the Year for 2024, celebrating her significant impact on our community.
Expansion and Enhancements
After over 50 years in the Dover Shores Shopping Plaza, we embarked on an exciting expansion, adding indoor seating for the first time. In less than three months, we transformed our space into a cozy haven where you can enjoy our treats in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment. Complete with a sprinkle wall for all your Instagramable moments, our space can host our daily patrons, birthday parties, and ice cream socials.
Community Engagement
Being active members of the community is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to be part of three Main Street districts: Curry Ford West (our home district), SODO, and The Milk District. These affiliations allow us to contribute to and participate in the vibrant local culture that makes Orlando unique.
Top-Selling Products of 2024
- Cookie: Our Milk Chocolate Chip cookie stood out as a customer favorite, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory with rich milk chocolate chips.
- Pastry: Eclairs took the spotlight, featuring traditional pâte à choux shells filled with our signature vanilla custard. Additionally, we serve five specialty eclairs: Bananas Foster, Crème Brûlée, Pistachio, White Chocolate Raspberry, and Tiramisu.
- Ice Cream: Our super-premium Vanilla ice cream, containing 50% less air than traditional varieties for a creamier texture and stronger flavor, was our top seller. We are proud that it earned a blue ribbon from the North American Ice Cream Association, one of three blue ribbons awarded to Charlie’s.
New Product Launches
This year, we introduced 37 new ice cream flavors, with Biscoff Butter Bonanza, White Chocolate Bliss, and Cookie Monster earning permanent spots in our line-up. Notably, 13 of these new flavors were non-dairy, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
In our baked goods department, we added:
- Cookie Monster Cookie: A dairy-free twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, made with ground OREO’s®, mini chocolate chips, and topped with iconic blue sprinkles, reminiscent of the beloved character.
- Lemon Raspberry Delight Cake: Moist lemon cake filled with raspberry mousse, iced with buttercream, and garnished with raspberry tidbits. Due to popular demand, we now offer this as individual slices in addition to our 6-inch cake size.
- Banana Bliss Cake: A luscious banana cake filled with our signature banana custard, iced with handmade whipped cream, and garnished with vanilla wafer and yellow sanding sugar. This cake has been so popular that we recommend calling ahead to ensure availability.
Business-to-Business Partnerships
We had the privilege of serving some of Central Florida’s top businesses, providing treats for their employees and clients. We extend our heartfelt thanks to companies like Raymond James, Advent Health, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Kelly Price Realty, Edward Jones Financial Group, and BNY Mellon for their trust and support.
Event Highlights
Our event participation reached new heights with attendance at 15 events across Orlando and surrounding areas. A standout moment was being the grand prize winner of the Mastercard Foodies & Fairways™ Competition, which granted us the opportunity to be a vendor at the three-day Arnold Palmer Invitational® at Bay Hill Golf and Country Club. For this special occasion, we crafted a brand-new sorbet flavor aptly named the Arnold Palmer® Sorbet.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on a year filled with new products, expanded spaces, and invaluable lessons, we are deeply appreciative of your continued support. As we step into 2025, we eagerly anticipate serving you with the same dedication and passion that have become synonymous with Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to a sweet and successful 2025 together!
