David Burke's Dixie Lee Pure Deliciousness

 There was a lot of worry when the famed chef David Burke took over Keansburg, New Jersey's famed Dixie Lee Bakery. Would he keep the classic cake and bread recipes that the bakery was known for? What about their famed onion rye bread?Or their much loved chocolate dipped butter cookies? Would these be kept? Good news. Chef Burke and his pastry chef have not only maintained favorite recipes but added a spin on many treats.

I visited yesterday and was pleasantly suprtised. The bakery itself has been spruced up. There are added shelves that hold everything from penny candy to a new addition Dixie Lee Coffee. You can even buy chocolate truffles here, another new addition.

These are the cookies and Chef Burke has kept most of the original kinds. It was a relief to see that the chocolate filled green and pink leaf cookies were still there. I liked that they used more white chocolate now for variety. My favorites the big cookies were also still around - thanks heavens.

There are still Lindzer tortes along with apple strudels and fruit tarts. I bought their brownies and jelly doughnuts. 

This is the best jelly  doughnut I've ever had. For one it has a grape jelly center instead of the usual raspberry. It was heavenly. I hope the Dixie Lee decides to offer jellies like this to be spread on their croissants, It was flavortful but not too sweet. The grape flavor came through strong, a perfect foil to the light yeasty dough around it. The doughnut was encrusted in granualted sugar - which just topped it off.

The brownies were also perfect and they and the doughnuts are my new favorites. This was a seriously old fashioned brownie, moist and fudgy  - loaded with walnuts. I love the chocolate frosting on top.It's like an extra bite of fudge along with the granulated sugar dusted bottom. Every bite was perfect. 

I will be trying out the cookies on my next trip and maybe croissants if there are any left. The parking lot was filled  - unusual for the bakery on a summer Sunday afternoon.My only fear is that it becomes too popular with regulars like myself being crowded out.It is good business for this Raritan Bay beach town where the only lucrative businesses are the beach itself, the water park and famed amusement park. 

Chef David Burke has knoicked it out of the park this time. The Dixie Lee offers an amazing array of baked goods from bread to cookies,brownies to jelly doughnuts. It's the destination bakery to visit.