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An Apple A Day (And Other Fall Flavors) At Leisha's Bakeria In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn -- It's been open only for four months, but Leisha's Bakeria in Bridgeport is already warming souls with its seasonal flavors.

Leisha Young, owner of Bridgeport's Leisha's Bakeria, with her Dutch apple pie.

Leisha Young, owner of Bridgeport's Leisha's Bakeria, with her Dutch apple pie.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Apple cider doughnuts at Leisha's Bakeria.

Apple cider doughnuts at Leisha's Bakeria.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Pumpkin is just one of the many fall flavors at Leisha's Bakeria.

Pumpkin is just one of the many fall flavors at Leisha's Bakeria.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
French toast casserole at Leisha's Bakeria.

French toast casserole at Leisha's Bakeria.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Apple hand pies from Leisha's are easy to hold in -- you guessed it -- one hand.

Apple hand pies from Leisha's are easy to hold in -- you guessed it -- one hand.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
A pear tarte at Leisha's Bakeria.

A pear tarte at Leisha's Bakeria.

Photo Credit: Leisha's Bakeria
Leisha's Bakeria offers plenty of seating.

Leisha's Bakeria offers plenty of seating.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick

Pumpkin-spiced coffee and pumpkin muffins are readily available through Thanksgiving with a variation of apple pastries offered daily. There are always apple cider doughnuts, but starting this week you'll also find Dutch apple pie and hand pies, many of which look like something off a Pinterest board. In fact, says owner Leisha Young, a Bridgeport native who now lives in Orange, many of her ideas come from the online venture.

"I like to play with food combinations," she says. "My dad and I paired interesting flavors together growing up. And so now that I have my own place, I'm trying new things."

That includes bacon and cheese shots -- puffs of dough filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon, as well as blue cheese apple slaw, a crunchy twist on traditional slaw designed to give it a kick and extra crunch. Even the standby grilled cheese has been tweaked for added flair with combinations that include honey, basil and goat cheese as well as poached eggs and American cheese.

Also on the menu: a long list of what Young calls "Mid-Day Fuel," sandwiches, wraps, salads and tacos, along with Sweet Endings and breakfast Starters, including a jelly sandwich made with fig, apricot, grape, strawberry and blackberry jam. Not to be missed: her ultra-decadent French Toast Casserole, French bread made in-house that's draped in a creamy mixture of eggs, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg and baked to a golden brown. 

Young says she grew up with parents who loved bringing everyone into the kitchen and entertaining. For 20 years, she dreamed of opening her own place where she could "make people smile." When the cheese shop she had long been a customer in closed, she jumped at the opportunity to take the space.

"I wanted a comfortable atmosphere with fun, tasty, new and familiar treats and meals offered fresh with personality and zest," she says.

Leisha's Bakeria is located at 7 Lafayette Circle (203-557-8652) and is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Catering is also available.

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