Cake Hour Cackle: Quite a pie from the Red Hen Bakery.

Today we had a treat from Vermont which had nothing to do with maple syrup. Years ago in Middlesex, Vermont a camp was built to house workers for the Civilian Conservation Corps an agency of the New Deal that provided unskilled manual labor jobs related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state and local governments. The CCC lasted until 1942 after the onset of WWII. Camp Meade became a few different things since then including a Motor Court/Motel with a military theme. The proprietors collected some military hardware and would service the cottages with vintage jeeps and every now and then fire up the tank or the airplane. There was a Victory Museum with quirky depression era things but also a pool and a restaurant. For a great review of the Camp Meade motor court go to this link: http://articles.philly.com/2000-03-05/news/25604044_1_cabin-army-ambulance-indoor-pool.

Camp Meade cottages and bikers!

You couldn't miss the plane by the picnic area.

Nor the Howitzer by the pool!

However times change and throwbacks to the 30s ultimately fade. The genuine oddity of Camp Meade gets replaced by among other things an ORGANIC BAKERY!! Yes indeed, occupying a good chunk of what was the restaurant part of the motel is the Red Hen Bakery and cafe. Their products state that they have been around since 1999 but if they have been we don't know where else they were. They opened at the present location in Middlesex probably about 5 year ago and have been a big hit. They make truly delicious breads and pastries and have a large viewing window in the cafe so that you can see the bakers in action. They also sell any of a number of Vermont made products of excellent quality. They are open 365 days a year and getting fresh bread in the morning to go with breakfast is something we have taken to doing up there all too often. Check them out at http://www.redhenbaking.com/.

Camp Meade becomes the Red Hen - with Wi Fi!


Their logo though we don't know where they were before 2009.

Our cake hour selection from Vermont!

Right from the Red Hen itself!

For cake hour though we went with their apple pie. True to their recipes, the crust was awesome, the apples were well seasoned, not too sweet and cooked through like they should be. Too often we see apple pies where the apples are crunchy meaning not cooked. This was and exceptional pie and everyone noticed it. Apparently there is something to be said for quality products and processes. It you are driving through Vermont on Interstate 89 the bakery is just off exit 9 to the east on US Route 2. It is worth a visit for the bread alone which man could probably live by. The Maple sticky bun is also something to go for.