Baked treats are just one of those standard food items that Americans have grown to expect when they eat out. Along with their morning coffee, patrons indulge in moist pound cakes, buttery crumb cakes and tender muffins. If they didn't enjoy a treat with breakfast, Americans will certainly satisfy their sweet tooth at lunch and dinner, usually with dense brownies, flaky pies or decadent layer cakes.

There's no question that baking sweets in your restaurant's own kitchen requires a certain skill, supply of ingredients and too many extra hours of work that some owners simply don't have. Fortunately, there are thousands of wholesale bakeries in this country experienced in turning out the delectable goodies American patrons long for. Whether you're looking to find baked treats that are gourmet or standard, organic or not, your choices are numerous.

1. Play it safe with commercially made baked treats from experienced companies.

2. Home baked treats give your dessert menu a special twist.

3. Offer organically prepared baked treats for greater selection.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer your customers a wide selection of commercially made baked treats

Diners and other restaurants that don't bake on the premises usually prefer dealing with producers experienced enough to turn out the standard breakfast-lunch type baked goods in large volume.

I recommend: Rich Products, since 1945, has been innovative in providing superior quality baked treats to the food service industry. Family-owned Uncle Ralph's Cookies has been operating out of Maryland since 1985. The company started making homemade frozen cookie dough for sale and now makes brownies, pound cakes, crumb cakes, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes sold throughout the mid Atlantic states.

Choose home baked treats custom made by reputable bakers

Upscale cafés and gourmet eateries can stand out from the competition by serving baked treats with that undeniably home made look and taste.

I recommend: Bella's Home-Baked Goods is a baked treats provider making their Italian inspired goods in small batches and sells them to more than 200 retailers in the northeast. New Jersey-based Bittersweet Pastries started making cakes by hand in 1984 and now sells its award-winning home baked goodies nationwide.

Incorporate organic baked treats into your menu

Organically made foods and baked treats continue to attract health-conscious diners and those who believe goodness in food does not have to come from chemicals and potentially harmful additives.

I recommend: French Meadow Bakery & Cafe has been turning out organic baked treats that restaurants have been relying on since 1985. Form in 2005, North Carolina-based Harvest Time Bread Company provides exceptional organic breads and all-natural baked treats.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask about sugar-free and ethnic-inspired baked treats when contacting any of these suppliers.
• •  For the freshest tasting baked treats, buy frozen dough for cookies, crumb cakes and muffins that you bake on the premises with almost no prep work involved.
• •  Ask a supplier you deal with for a baked treats directory or baked treats list of manufacturers who operate in your geographic area.
• •  Don't be shy about speaking directly to a manufacturer. Many are happy to share specific baked treats information, such as nutrition analyses and ingredients used, with their customers.