Abandon hope, all ye who diet!
That’s my advice before walking into Anna Rose Bakery and Coffee Shop, where there seems to be no end to the choices for your fresh-from-the-oven doughnut.
Should you get the cinnamon sugar coating? The maple, the lemon, the blueberry? How about adding a topping like bacon, rainbow sprinkles or Fruity Pebbles? Do you dare gild the lily with a drizzle of hot fudge, peanut butter or salted caramel?
And all this for a mere buck (actually 99 cents).
For the past few months, downtown denizens have had a new spot to visit for a sweet, affordable treat, which includes cupcakes, muffins, breads and cookies, in addition to the signature doughnuts. Heck, even the colorful, pastel-painted building looks almost good enough to eat.
You can thank Harrisburg’s nightlife king, Ron Kamionka, for all those extra calories. It was his idea to bring a bakery to what was once the back portion of Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub at N. 2nd and Walnut streets. He then turned over the creative reins to expert baker Dana Snyder.
“I’ve known Ron for about 13 years now and have worked for him for about six,” said Snyder, who grew up on a farm. “We were all very involved in our food on the farm. We grew our own vegetables, butchered our own meat. It was all-hands on deck.”
She said that she started baking at a very young age.
“When I was able to push a chair up to the table to make pie dough is when I started,” she said.
Later on, Snyder secured a job working with John Reis at the Hilton.
“Chef Reis was amazing, and I had enough sense to pay attention and learn everything I could from both him and my supervisors,” she said.
An Artist
Crystal Mace is familiar with Snyder’s baking talent, having tasted some of her creations while working at Harrisburg Hospital.
“She brought samples to our workplace and went from floor to floor with them, and they were very well received,” she said. “The lemon cupcakes are to die for.”
Cindy Klinger, who also works in Harrisburg, said she likes the convenience of picking up treats for the office or purchasing items to take home after a long day’s work.
Another downtown worker, Bruce Hironimus, added that he enjoys sharing the treats, especially taking them home to his sweetheart.
“My wife love sweets, and I treat myself to the coffee there,” he said.
The businessman describes Snyder as “a bit of an artist” who will go the extra mile for you. He mentioned a recent trip to Montreal, where he and his wife fell in love with Canadian butter tarts. When they returned, Hironimus mentioned them to Snyder, who recreated the rich, gooey pastry, much to his delight.
To Snyder, weak flavors have no business hanging out in her bakery. She only presses into service those that command attention.
“I believe in strong flavors,” she said. “For my triple lemon cupcake, I use fresh juice and zest, core out the center and pipe in lemon curd filling, then top it with a lemon buttercream icing.”
Other popular flavors are the tried-and-true peanut butter cup cupcakes, the classic red velvet and a carrot cake flavor that never seems to go out of style.
Those in the know can take advantage of an additional type of sweetness that lurks just beyond the door of the front room.
Anna Rose has teamed up with Molly’s Place animal rescue to bring an array of adorable critters to the space behind the bakery. Puppies (and kittens) romp in a fenced-in “yard” complete with faux flowers and grass.
“People seem to love it, and it helps socialize the animals, which is great, too,” said Molly’s Place Director Lori Johnston.
According to Snyder, it’s not known how long the bakery will host the “puppy café,” but, for now, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays.
“We ask those who are interested to check our Facebook page,” she said.
Another reason to check that page, according to Snyder, is to learn what tasty treats are available each day.
“I constantly mix it up,” she said, enumerating her inventory—cupcakes, bars, cream puffs, turtles, whoopee pies, eclairs, muffins, zucchini bread and pumpkin, which is a favorite this time of year.
Hmm, it’s “cake o’clock” somewhere, right?
Anna Rose Bakery & Coffee Shop is located at 205 Walnut St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-236-3149 or visit their Facebook page or website at www.annarosebakery.com.
