Blue Crane Bakery — Restaurant in Amarillo

I posted this 2 years ago, but it was either hidden, deleted, who knows...

So I've been researching Keto Bakeries in Amarillo for some time and compiled a list. I decided to try Blue Crane Bakery this past weekend for the first time. I got the Keto Peanut Butter cookie, Keto Snickerdoodle, Keto Thumbprint cookie & the Keto Sopapilla Cheesecake. Sadly I was left so disappointed.

I tried the cookies first, and the first issue I had was the size. I know it's a "bakery" and these were "keto" items, but for the cookies to be $2 a piece and to be so thin and/or small that's disappointing. I mean $6 for three small cookies.

My second issue was the taste. The keto cookies had what's called the keto "cooling effect," that literal cooling sensation you can feel in your mouth that some keto sweetners can cause depending on what sweetner is used, and how it's mixed before adding it to the other ingredients. (It causes some people's mouth to feel cold or have a minty taste). I experienced this with the peanut butter cookie, the snickerdoodle cookie, & the thumbprint cookie. The cooling effect was so overwhelming in the peanut butter cookie & snickerdoodle that they had no flavor.

The third issue was the type of sweetner used. It not only affects the taste, it can also cause tummy discomfort. For some people, that can range from just a rumbling tummy, upset stomach for hours, or for others it could be more severe stomach discomfort.

I was still holding out hope for the cheesecake though, I kept thinking "once I get to the cheesecake, this has to be good." Nope. I've heard upping the fat content, among other things, like using cream cheese when making cheesecake can minimize or eliminate the "cooling effect" certain sweetners can have. The only good thing I can say about the cheesecake is, the sweetner didn't have the "cooling effect" and didn't bother my stomach. My taste buds, however, were another story. At first glance, the Sopapilla Cheesecake really looked burnt on top, but I figured maybe it was just heavy on cinnamon "be open minded". Well it wasn't just cinnamon, the top was actually so overly brown it was burnt, hard, & dry. The cheesecake part itself had no flavor, the Sopapilla crust part had no flavor and was dry. So my attempt to support local business was a win, but my enjoyment was a total bust.

I would've been better saving my money or spending it buying the ingredients and making my own keto treats. I was sad it didn't work out for me, and that I wasted $10 there (especially because I'm low income). Glad so many others seem to have had good experiences, I however did not.

I really wanted to like Blue Crane Bakery, but I was left so disappointed with my purchase. Oh well I guess, it's only baked...

I'm awarding Blue Crane Bakery a five-star rating because I truly appreciate the challenge of crafting gluten-free and vegan desserts. The father and son duo were exceptionally friendly, offering valuable suggestions during my visit. If you happen to be passing through Texas and crave a gluten-free and vegan treat, Blue Crane Bakery is worth a visit.

While my wife and I enjoyed sampling four different desserts, each proving to be delicious, I would recommend a slight reduction in sweetness. The desserts, though tasty, leaned towards being overly sweet. Balancing the sweetness is crucial, especially when aiming for healthier alternatives. It not only contributes to a more wholesome experience but also aligns with the idea of making mindful choices about sugar intake. A subtle adjustment in sweetness could enhance the overall dining experience and potentially save you money in the long run.

Commendations on a job well done, and I encourage Blue Crane Bakery to continue their dedication to quality while exploring opportunities for improvement. Keep up the...

I travel to Amarillo for work about 6 times a year and discovered Blue Crane on my first visit. Not only is it a non-chain, homemaker, personalized bakery experience, they also offer a solid variety of baked goods for special diets. Beinf able to grab a snickerdoodle whoopee pie for my T2 diabetic best friend while also indulging in a savory green chili and cheese muffin has become a major perk of my trips. The owner and family take pride in what they make and you can tell in the consistency and flavor. My only gripe is that they don't exist in Fort Worth. If you're in need of or craving a treat in Amarillo you're definitely missing out if you don't stop here.

I dread the day I no longer have work to bring me to Amarillo, because I'll miss out on this deliciousness. If you're a diabetic, keto, or vegan they've got you covered! Definitely worth the drive down...