1447 Route 9W, Marlboro

845.236.9853; madbatterspastries.com

At Mad Batters Pastries & Café, gluten-free dining is a piece of cake. Literally speaking, every single tempting pastry inside the Marlboro sweet spot contains nary a speck of gluten. Not that you’d know it, of course. Owner Kristin Barney makes a point to ensure that all the treats at her Alice in Wonderland-themed shop are genuinely good, not just “good for gluten-free.”

“It’s a great feeling to know that our products can be enjoyed by all, not just those living a gluten-free lifestyle,” she explains. As someone who suffers from gluten intolerance herself, she knows her lemon cookies, fudge brownies, and walnut coffee cake don’t just need to be wheat-free; they need to be utterly decadent as well. That’s why, before opening her doors in February, she made a dedicated effort to perfect her signature flour mix and establish relationships with local vendors like Wilklow Orchards in Highland, her go-to source for organic produce; and Hudson Valley Fresh, her one-stop shop for milk and yogurt.

While the bakery counter is a must for sweet treats, the café has a sit-down menu for breakfast and lunch-goers too. In the morning, crème brûlée French toast with Grand Marnier-marinated strawberries is the ultimate indulgence. For the lunch crowd, fresh quiches, salads, and sandwiches are just as satisfying as their gluten-filled counterparts. Outside the eatery, Mad Batters supplies home-baked pastries to local favorites like Adams Fairacre Farms, Fishkill Farms, and Samuel’s Sweet Shop in Rhinebeck. 

Wed–Fri 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.;
Sat–Sun 8 a.m.–4 p.m.