Secrets Of The Whole Foods Bakery You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

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Whole Foods has built its reputation by selling organic and natural food products. It's an excellent place for health and environmentally-conscious shoppers with generous budgets to go for their weekly groceries. Along with classic grocery items, you can get bulk ingredients such as grains, beans, spices, and flour. Whole Foods has also proven itself as a good store for anyone with dietary restrictions, such as a gluten intolerance, to get the food they need.

But did you know Whole Foods also has you covered when you're looking for a dessert or the perfect loaf of bread? While you may go to this grocery store to find your favorite organic health foods, there's nothing wrong with swinging by the bakery section to see the beautiful cakes, cookies, and other treats on display. If you have a sweet tooth, it could be the perfect place to treat yourself after getting all the necessities, too.

All told, there's a lot more to the Whole Foods bakery than meets the eye. We've come up with some of the most useful secrets that shoppers should know by the next time they find themselves at this grocery chain's the bakery counter.

Whole Foods has a general "try before you buy" policy that means you can sample essentially anything in the store before making your purchase. And we're not just talking about sneaking a couple of grapes before picking a bushel. Instead, this rule applies to all types of food and nearly all sections within the store. All you have to do is politely ask a Whole Foods employee if you can sample something. They'll typically oblige, whether that means opening a container or cutting off a slice of cake for you to nibble on. Sometimes, that score can be even bigger. Speaking to Glamour, one employee said, "For something perishable like yogurt, team members may offer shoppers a free product so they can take it home and try it."

This is great news when it comes to bakery items, where you might be on the fence about buying a whole cake, a loaf of bread, or a box of cookies. Before you commit, try asking the employee at the counter to let you sample whatever tempting baked goods you've been considering. If you're happy, you can then purchase with confidence after sampling the goods. It's an especially great policy for anyone who struggles with decision making.

Almond croissants are another popular bakery item with many Whole Foods shoppers. The Instagram account WholeFoodsHype claims that the pastries are delicious, writing "The almond filling is great and they're so flaky and delish!" Several Amazon reviewers have agreed, though some complained that their croissants were too dry. It seems to be hit or miss if you love or hate these treats. Just remember that, if you're on the fence, you can always politely ask to sample one of them before you buy it in person at Whole Foods.

But for shoppers who already know that they love almond croissants (and these croissants in particular), there's a big drawback. One of the most frustrating things about this treat is its short shelf life. Any fans of French pastry know that this layered, buttery treat is best enjoyed as fresh as possible. But if you get a whole box at Whole Foods, that may not be an option. Fortunately, reviewers have found that these croissants fare well in the freezer.

To successfully freeze croissants, first closely wrap individual pastries in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to stave off freezer burn and keep other ingredient odors from reaching the pastries. When you're ready to defrost the croissants, let them thaw in the bag at room temperature, then reheat for a few minutes in a preheated oven.

Amidst the many tasty treats that are made from whole ingredients, the Whole Foods bakery boasts an impressive selection of items that have been crafted to meet dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and vegan baked goods. As vegan diets exclude milk, eggs, butter, and other common baking ingredients, it can be hard to come by pastries that meet this. criteria. However, Whole Foods has several options for its plant-based customers.

Some of the plentiful vegan selections include chocolate chip cookies, whole grain brownies, croissants, scones, muffins, and more. While anyone following a vegan diet is sure to be excited by the wide selection, some items get better reviews than others. Some shoppers have complained about dry cake textures and crumbly cookies, for instance. On the other hand, items like the vegan croissant get relatively high reviews.

As with any food, it seems that your enjoyment of Whole Foods bakery vegan options comes down to personal preference. Fortunately, there's a lot to choose from at Whole Foods and samples are abundant, making choices easier.

Ask a dedicated Whole Foods shopper about those little meringue cookies in the store, and you'll soon learn that this grocery carries an impressive array of macaron flavors for Francophiles to enjoy. Some of the beloved varieties include chocolate, salted caramel, lemon, and blueberry macarons. 

Some of the macarons sold at Whole Foods are not made at a Whole Foods facility. Instead, the cookies are shipped in from Rocq Macarons, the largest macaron manufacturer in the U.S. Macarons are a great option to have shipped in as they aren't typically served fresh anyway. These delightful meringue cookies are served after they've cooled and are best enjoyed a day or so after baking when the flavors have fully developed.

So, shipping in the macarons hasn't damaged Whole Foods' reputation with these cookies. In fact, shoppers seem to love having Rocq macarons available in the bakery section. One dedicated macaron reviewer was pleasantly surprised by just how much she loved the macaron selection at Whole Foods. Whole Foods macarons are also gluten-free, like many other varieties of this treat, so it's an excellent dessert option for anyone keeping a gluten-free diet. However, it's important to note that macarons at Whole Foods do contain other allergens, including tree nuts, dairy, and soy.

Whole Foods makes it super convenient to get the desserts you need for any event you plan. Rather than running into the store on the day of a party to search frantically for what you need, you can relax and reach for your phone instead. That's because you can order Whole Foods dessert online in advance and make your party planning that much easier.

Now, this does come with some caveats You can't currently order a custom cake online, as you need to speak with a bakery employee either on the phone or in person to discuss the specifics of what you want on a custom cake. However, if you want one of the standard cakes that Whole Foods has ready to go, you can simplify your life by ordering that ready-made cake online.

Whole Foods' partnership with Amazon makes this process even more streamlined, as you can order your dessert through your Amazon account and even schedule delivery straight to your front door. Some of the ready-made treats on offer through this service include Whole Foods' wildly popular Berry Chantilly Cake, Chocolate Eruption Cake, strawberry shortcake, and tiramisu. You can also find different size options for most of the cakes and order according to how many people you need to serve, without worrying too much about leftovers. Just keep in mind that the exact cake selection can vary based on seasonal availability and the selection at your local store.