January 5, 2007

Buns in the Oven

ShoeBox Oven Bakery

The word shoebox can signal something good (new pair of Louboutins) or something not so good (your irritatingly small living space).

In the case of ShoeBox Oven, it means downright delicious goodies.

Formerly available only at local farmers markets, the self-described “very tiny merry bakery” in Arlington has put its desserts online, so you can satisfy that sweet tooth anytime you please.

Order a batch or two of 9 o’Clocks (French cinnamon sable cookies with white sugar pearls), Girls in Bombay (sweet curry, brown sugar, coconut, and currant cookies), or Baptistes (hazelnut shortbread with salted caramel). Try a BumbleBee (blueberry and buttermilk cake) or a Mandorla (Italian almond, amaretto, and apricot cake).

Orders can be delivered, shipped, or picked up (depending on how desperate you are to get your fix). So you won’t have to wait long for that vanilla bean and creme fraiche cupcake topped with fine spun sugar — known at the ShoeBox as a Lilliputian.

It should be right at home in your apartment.

Available online at shoeboxoven.com.