Greer's OC

Blackmarket Bakery, an Orange County institution since 2004, known for its homespun bakery items made from real ingredients, such as butter, flour, sugar and eggs (all blackmarket goods during WWII) is celebrating its one-year anniversary at the Camp in Costa Mesa on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with samples, new cookies and tarts, and 15% off all breads and pastries.

Chef and Owner Rachel Marie's incredible cakes, rich pastries, fresh breads and more are baked daily at this retro/artisanal bakery with an exhibition kitchen for a peek at behind the scenes baking.

You can stop by as early as 7 a.m. (except Sunday at 8 a.m.) for irresistible breakfast pastries, like apricot ginger scones; cookies, like our favorite Blackstrap Betty molasses drop cookie; buttercream cakes, and delicious tarts, such as the Black Widow dark chocolate ganache tart.

Chef Rachel is also baking retro breads and rolls, brioche buns, oatmeal stout rolls, shortbreads, her renowned Marche Noir Cabernet brownies, bars, cobblers, and serving hot-pressed sandwiches and open-faced ice cream sandwiches. The new bakery also serves Kéan Coffee and confections such as gluten-free pecan pralines.

Blackmarket Bakery is prepared for Valentine’s Day with new berry tarts, a Stab in the Dark with dark chocolate mousse in a chocolate tart shell under fresh raspberries and ganache; and also a Classic Fruit Tart with fresh raspberries, blackberries and blueberries atop vanilla pastry cream in a vanilla tart shell. Also, stop by in the evening for a Saturday night frenzy of $1 s’mores from 7 p.m. to close.

Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Blackmarket Bakery is at 2937 Bristol St. at the Camp in Costa Mesa. 714.662.3095.

Photo courtesy of Bob Hodson