Central Coast restaurants: Burnt Honey Bakery, Copacabana
A new bakery in Copacabana is home to a unique treat known as the “Copa Queen” – but you have to be quick as it only comes out on weekends and sells out fast.
Central Coast
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It’s a pastry with a difference – a croissant-like dough with layers of raw sugar and a buttery centre.
Once cooked it has an amazing caramelised crust and gooey centre.
This divine pastry, nicknamed the Copa Queen, is sold only on weekends at Burnt Honey Bakery in Copacabana.
The bakery opened late last year and has become a popular spot on the Central Coast for its fresh breads, pastries along with the exceptional coffee.
It is owned by baker Hayley Thorncraft and Jo Fairall, who has a background in hospitality.
Ms Thorncraft said she started baking professionally around six years ago.
“I always wanted my own business and it was always going to be a bakery,” she said.
The pair lived in the UK for a stint before to moving to the coast, with one of the highlights travelling around Europe for three months hopping from bakery to bakery.
Ms Thorncraft said when the they saw the ad for a space in Copacabana, they jumped at the opportunity.
“It’s so idyllic and it was the perfect spot for us. I can’t imagine opening anywhere else.”
Ms Thorncraft said one of the bakery’s points of difference was their bread which is baked on site using freshly milled flour.
“We like to keep it nutritious, fresh and simple, however when it comes to the pastry we make it pretty decadent and bold,” she said.
Ms Thorncraft said she was inspired during her trip around Europe, recreating many of the amazing pastries. There’s plenty on offer from croissants, danishes and turnovers to cakes, shortbreads and pretzels.
However the most popular of all is the “Copa Queen” pastry. The official name is kouign amann, which is native to the northwest Brittany region of France.
“Our customers ask for it every day of the week but we only do it on weekends,” Ms Thorncraft said.
We sampled a selection of the pastries including the unbelievably light croissants and the plum and pistachio cake with the perfect combination of flavours.
The vegetarian bakery also has a pie, veggie roll and vegan pastie on offer each day. Flavours vary and the option when we visited was Japanese curry pie.
One thing is for sure – I am headed back to the bakery this weekend for the Copa Queen – the pastry everyone is raving about.
