Single mom turns passion into sweet business

Jeanie’s Bakery

59 Main Street

East Rockaway

(516) 823-2200

www.jeaniesbakery.com

Jeanie Annecco was her family’s designated baker by age nine. Since she adored baking, her mother wasn’t fond of it, and her father loved eating baked goods, everyone was happy. Jeanie credits Betty Crocker for her sweet guidance.

Years later, as a single mom with three children, Annecco worked three jobs to make ends meet. Employed as a hairdresser and a teacher’s assistant, she also baked and sold cookies from her home. Thanks to her father, her biggest fan and promoter, the latter turned into a thriving venture.

Her father’s dying wish was that she move her home business into a real bakery. In 2006, she opened Jeanie’s Bakery in East Rockaway. A candle is lit for her father in the bakery every day. All three of Jeanie’s children now work there. Her son, Michael Amoroso, is a baker and artist, specializing in portraits. Her daughters, Deanna and Alexa Amoroso, are both in high school and work the counter. Jeanie’s Bakery is a true family labor of love.

Pastries, cookies, breads, pies, donuts, gelato and cakes are always found at Jeanie’s Bakery. But magnificent specialty cakes, which are usually baked to order, are what makes it so unique. There are no limitations when it comes to shapes, theme, and masterful decorations. Cakes for every holiday and special event are a given. They recently created a beagle cake for a dog party, and a guitar cake for a musician’s birthday. For Thanksgiving, they sold Turkey Cakes. Easter Egg Cakes are being ordered now. During the Super Bowl, their Helmet Cakes attracted Channel 12 News. They make wedding cakes for Sandcastle and Bridgeview catering halls. The bakery’s web site – www.jeaniesbakery.com – includes spectacular photographs of their incredible cakes. In this case, seeing is truly believing!

 In the near future, Jeanie’s Bakery will start shipping personal cakes — a wonderful gift for a graduation, a teen in college, a get well wish or any other purpose. Six-inch-tall three-tiered cakes, filled like a Twinkie, will be frozen and shipped overnight.

Jeanie’s Bakery boasts numerous accolades, including East Rockaway Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, First Holiday Decoration, and the Woman’s History Month Pathfinder awards. The bakery has appeared in television and radio segments too.

One to two weeks notice is advised when ordering a specialty cake. Bakery hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Gluten-free products are also available