All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Whether you’re headed to Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie, or have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head, you can’t have the holidays without the sweets. There are some local establishments that can provide some serious help in the dessert department.

Feller’s Baking Company, originally from Manayunk, now located at 7820 Airport Hwy. – right across from Cooper River Park – is celebrating its two-year anniversary in Pennsauken with a special sale on Friday, Dec. 18. From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., everything in the store is 50 percent off. Feller’s is known for their world-famous Jewish apple cake; a variety of bundt cakes, including lemon zest and banana chocolate cake; and just about any cheesecake you can think of. They also offer a selection of sugar-free items as well. For more info, call (856) 662-6000.

Another go to locale for baked goods is the iconic Penn Queen Diner, 7349 North Crescent Blvd. All baking is done right there on the premises. Their strawberry shortcake is a must try, and the cannoli are pretty good too. For more info or to place an order, give a call at (856) 662-1928.

Everyone’s favorite local “cookie lady,” Ernestine Williams, owner of Mama’s Homemade Cookie Lounge on 2591 Haddonfield Rd. in Pennsauken, is in full “cookie mode.” She and her staff are making a large selection of cookies for the holidays, including chocolate crinkles, peanut butter thumbprints, eggnog cookies, rum balls and more. While they make pizzelles all year round, Mama’s Cookies will be offering additional flavors for the season. And if you’re looking for those traditional sugar cookies and gingerbread men, you can find them here too. Williams also offers special discounts for corporate orders and can ship out homemade cookie baskets; they even do cookie catering, where they customize cookies and beverages to your event. For more info, call (856) 317-0700.

More than two billion candy canes are produced during the Christmas season; some of the best, homemade candy canes are found at the legendary Aunt Charlotte’s, located at 5 West Maple Ave. in Merchantville. Shopping at Aunt Charlotte’s during the holidays is a tried and true local tradition, as the store is decked with a lot more than boughs of holly. Customer favorites include chocolate covered pretzels, which fly off the shelves this time of year; non pareils, in red and green for the Christmas season; carmel and cashew crabs, made of caramel with cashews or peanuts; and sandwich mints, an Aunt Charlotte’s exclusive. If someone on your list has a sweet tooth, this is the place to go. Call (856) 662-0058 for more information or visit AuntCharlottesCandy.com.