Humans started baking bread 14,000 years ago. At that time, our ancestors were transitioning from a nomadic way of life to settling in one location.
Bread was important then, and it’s important now. Boulder County has a bustling bread-making scene that continues traditions from some of the first prehistoric pastries. From Moxie Bread Co. (three locations are dotted around the county) to Babette’s in Longmont, there’s no shortage of spots for you to find fresh-baked bread that is unscientifically proven to exponentially increase happiness.
As the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes wrote: “All sorrows are less with bread.”
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Boulder
Breadworks
2644 Broadway
Go to Breadworks for award-winning organic artisan breads. You can find one of their baguettes, batards, ciabattas, ryes and more on their website or at the farmers market.
Great Harvest Bread Co.
2525 Arapahoe Ave.
This shop prides itself on baking simple but delicious breads for nearly 40 years using freshly milled wheat from Montana farms. Try the honey whole wheat, one of their most popular and signature breads.
Sweet Sisters Bake Shop
641 S. Broadway
Sweet Sisters Bake Shop makes gluten-free bread from scratch and uses only simple ingredients, plus daily baguettes and recipes from Kim and Jake’s Cakes. Try it for yourself at their location in the Table Mesa Shopping Center.
Longmont
Babette’s Bakery
2030 Ionosphere St.
Babette’s makes a variety of breads, including large sourdough loaves, on the southern edge of Longmont. The bakery doesn’t have a set menu; stop in to see what they have behind the counter.
The Mountain Fountain
11809 N 75th St.
This gluten-free bakery specializes in focaccia and sourdough bread, but also serves other baked goods. Its allergen-controlled environment serves delights to the gluten intolerant among us at an affordable price.
Panaderia Guanajuato
1630 Main St., Ste 104
This local bakery and lunch spot makes 25 different kinds of Mexican breads. Some are baked fresh daily.
Lafayette
Vulcan Mine Bakery
1740 Sussex St.
Despite being named after a local coal mine, Vulcan Mine Bakery’s loaves are made by hand in its solar-powered bakery. Everything under the roof of this home bakery, from rustic breads to celebration breads, is made to order.
Button Rock Bakery
400 W South Boulder Road, Suite 2200
Button Rock doesn’t have a specific bread-baking schedule, but it makes various types every day including sourdough, ciabatta, French baguettes, fruit loaves and dinner rolls. The space also holds Kenny Lou’s Deli, an authentic Jewish and Italian deli.
Louisville
Moxie Bread Co.
641 Main St., Louisville
4593 Broaday, Boulder
442 High St., Lyons
Sourcing local and regional heirloom grains and milling them on-site is one of Moxie Bread Co.’s secrets to crafting artisan breads, plus pastries and other baked goods. Find them in Louisville, North Boulder and Lyons.
The Huckleberry
700 Main St.
The Huckleberry bakes glutenfree, banana, pumpkin, Zucchini and other breads in-house. Sweet breads are made to order, but there are usually gluten-free options on the ready.
Bittersweet Cafe & Confections
836 Main St.
You might know Bittersweet Cafe & Confections for their sandwiches. But the bread for those sandwiches — including sourdough, cuban (made with pork fat) and traditional baguettes — is made downstairs. They will sell loaves upon request; just give them a few days’ notice.