Red Hen Baking — Restaurant in Middlesex

Got recommended this place a while back from a former colleague who grew up in Burlington. One thing I’ve noticed about Vermont bakeries lately is that they all kind of look the same on paper. Almond and chocolate croissants, muffins, cookies. Basic French pastry lineup, but with a rustic, small-town charm and a maple twist somewhere in the mix.

From what locals tell me, there’s not much love for the “new” wave of boutique-style bakeries popping up across the state. Red Hen feels like the kind of place they’d defend to the end. No minimalist interiors, just an old wooden barn-looking space that’s been doing its thing for years. By the time we got there around 10 a.m., a couple of sandwiches were already sold out, so we went with the Mushroom Toastie, Breakfast Sandwich, and an Almond Croissant.

Both sandwiches came on their in-house Mad River multigrain sourdough, which had this great tight crunch. Not the kind that scrapes your mouth, but enough to feel dense/substantial. Also perfectly toasted on all sides, giving off that smoky char. The only underwhelming part was the filling. It needed more sauce or just… more of something. The breakfast sandwich (egg patty & cheese) was especially dry. The almond croissant had a nice crust but was also a bit too baked.

But the Iced Maple Latte. That was the real reason to come. Probably the best I’ve had in Vermont. Most maple lattes I’ve had here are just sugar bombs or taste like someone waved a maple leaf over, but this one was perfectly balanced. Medium roast beans with a hint of smoke, maple sweetness that stayed steady from first sip to last. Not cloying, just right.

Would definitely recommend stopping by if you’re looking for a good...

Everything here is local, fresh, and made from scratch. Red and baking embodies the true vermont feels. When you walk in you are greeted with the fresh baked bread smell. The dining chairs are everything you would expect of a New England charm breakfast joint. You can tell how proud the owner is by all the chalk on the walls. The staff were super friendly and helpful. It felt like everyone wanted to be there and was proud to be there. Unfortunately, I had to take my breakfast to go but I feel like I could hang out here for a while. In fact there were a couple people playing games at the tables.

Food: I had the coffee made with honey, which is supposed to be a local favorite. Now I am very particular about my coffee and I was quite impressed. This was a unique flavor and i'm more than happy to have it again. The breakfast sandwich was made with their own bread. I would have chosen a different type of bread for an egg and cheese sandwich but You can taste the home made difference. The sandwich otherwise lacked flavor. Perhaps if I had ordered it with meat It would have been better. It may have needed a little more salt Or some type of sauce To really bring everything out.

At the end of the day, if I ever drive through this area again. I will make sure...

Tucked away in a corner where you’d least expect it, Redhead Baking Company isn’t just a bakery; it’s a shrine to all things creamy, crunchy, and unapologetically indulgent. The kind of place where the smell of fresh waffle cones grabs you by the senses and pulls you in like an old friend you didn't know you needed.

We walked in for the cremee - a proper Vermont soft serve, infused with the real deal, maple syrup that could convert even the staunchest of pancake purists. What we didn’t expect was to stumble upon a revelation in the form of homemade waffle cones. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, cardboardy excuses for an ice cream holder. No, these are crisp, buttery vessels of perfection, crafted to cradle that rich, velvety maple goodness in a way that feels like a big, warm hug on a cold day.

This isn’t just a place to stop; it’s a place to savor. Every bite, every lick, is a reminder that some things are worth indulging in—things like creamy ice cream in a cone made with love and a little bit of magic. Phenomenal? Hell yes. Redhead Baking Company doesn’t just serve desserts; they dish out moments of pure, unadulterated joy. And if that’s not worth a stop, I don’t...