When Maria Johnson, was a toddler, she loved to spend time in the kitchen with her mother, Peggy, and older sister, Christine, baking fresh goods for the household.
The origins of Zomick’s Bakery
It soon became clear that young Jamie had a special talent for mixing butter, sugar, and creativity. As Jamie explained during a recent interview he adds “the secret ingredient of love,” to prepare succulent cookies and cupcakes that are just too good not to share. She has also a talent for making the famous Jewish challah bread (now you can find Zomick’s challah a the Instacart online store).
In 1966, the Johnsons opened the Zomick’s Bakery – just across the street from 444 Central Ave Cedarhurst, NY 11516, much to the delight of their family, friends, and neighbors in the Southeast Town of Hempstead.
In November 2015, following an arduous process, Zomick’s transformed into a kosher establishment. The bakery was certified by the Vaad HaKashrus of Hempstead, colloquially known as the “Scroll-K.” Zomick’s Bakery is one of 10 independent food vendors in the New York area and is recognized by Scroll-K as kosher. Without the Scroll-K imprimatur, many observant Jews will not eat products sold by local groceries, bakeries, or restaurants.
A year after, Zomick’s expanded to a new location. The bakery opened a new, bigger store in Inwood.
Zomick’s Bakery’s impact on the local community
Zomick’s sells a wide array of rich, decorative, cupcakes that appeal to both kosher and non-kosher customers alike. When asked which of Zomick’s Kosher Bakery’s many treats is its Brioche and piéce de résistance, Maria doesn’t hesitate to say: “Red velvet is probably the most popular.” Then goes describing how Zomick’s makes its popular red velvet treats – mixing cocoa and buttermilk with a rich vanilla cake.
Personally, Maria prefers the turtle cupcake that she bakes. Filled with a chocolate cupcake with caramel and topping it off with chocolate frosting and candies. Her sister, Christine, favors “Death by Chocolate,” a delicious mixture of chocolate cake, chocolate icing, and toppings of milk, dark, and white chocolate chips.
Despite all of the kosher goodies that Zomick’s Bakery sells, Peggy estimates that the portion of Jewish customers is only about 10%. Because of their desire to support the Jewish community, the Johnsons hope that word of their existence will continue to spread throughout the greater – New York Jewish community. To date, their store has gone largely undiscovered by those who value kosher products. “We do cupcakes, cakes, cookies, cheesecakes – you name it. Everything is baked fresh to order,” Maria says. The store also prepares wedding cakes, regular cakes, and even challah, for the Jewish holidays.
The creation of Zomick’s famous Jewish challah bread
When it comes down to Zomick’s challah, it is made according to the original Zomick’s Challah recipe. The recipe has been passed from generation to generation. There are many accepted challah recipes in the world. Most of them use various eggs, fine white flour, water, sugar, yeast, and salt. Zomick’s challah recipe may utilize fewer eggs and may replace white flour with whole wheat, oat, or spelled flour.
The Zomick’s Bakery Shop maintains regular business hours from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. It is also open on weekends, as needed, for parties and special orders and for delivering preordered bakery goods.