Mueller's Bakery keeps Thanksgiving tradition alive with classic desserts in NJ

BAY HEAD, N.J. (PIX11) – After a 12-hour drive from Charleston, South Carolina, Carolyn Petrizzo made it home to her native New Jersey for the holidays.

But for her, it's not Thanksgiving without Mueller's Bakery.

"Oh my gosh, it's Mueller's; got to get the crumb cake," said Petrizzo.

As she brings home the bakery's famous crumb cake, John Spenard from Brick is making sure his Thanksgiving table has Mueller's cheesecake.

"Best cheesecake you'll have from here to the Mississippi River," said Spenard.

With the boxes being stacked and the orders pouring in, Mueller's finds itself in the thick of the holiday rush.

"We've always been coming to Mueller's since we were little kids," said Molly Dougherty of Bay Head. "As long as we can remember."

While many take home their bread, pies, and cookies, one of their most popular orders is their Thanksgiving chocolate cornucopia, doubling as a dessert and centerpiece.

"You can always tell people are back in town getting stuff for the holidays, cakes and all that," said Dougherty.

The ownership has changed hands several times throughout the years, but there's been a bakery inside the building dating back to the 1890s.

"The bakery's always been sold with the recipes, with the equipment," said Kathy Kirka, a store associate for three years. She loves chatting with customers, having been one herself.

"My grandfather brought me here as a little kid," said Kirka.

She says people come from far and wide to have some of the Jersey Shore at their table.

"We're so thankful and grateful for our truly, truly loyal customers," said Kirka. "We're talking generations of customers."