Sweet Success

From flaky croissants and tangy lemon bars to freshly baked muffins, Sweet Melissa Bake Shop is filled with the comforting aroma of homemade treats. Based in Boonton and owned by resident Melissa Camacho, the delicious baked goods she creates satisfy any sweet craving.

Roots

Growing up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Camacho didn’t know the treats she made for her classmates would one day become her literal bread and butter. “I’ve always loved making people happy through food, but never realized that passion would one day become my career,” she says. 

Formally trained at the Institute of Culinary Education, Camacho then worked in high-end establishments including Buddakan, Morimoto, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. If you’re a Top Chef: Just Desserts fan, you may recognize her as a contestant on the show. 

Sweet Melissa Bake Shop started during the COVID lockdown when Camacho sold pastry boxes to friends and family. “As demand grew, I began hosting pop-ups at a local bodega, which gave me the confidence to take the next step,” she says.  

Following Camacho’s move from Harlem to Boonton, a light bulb went off. “I had an idea,” she says. “Many small restaurants would love to offer house-made desserts but can’t justify hiring a full-time pastry chef,” she says. “I partner with restaurants to create custom dessert menus and provide handcrafted desserts at wholesale prices, allowing them to offer a unique dessert program for a fraction of the cost of employing a full-time pastry chef.” 

“Supplying restaurants with plated desserts has been wonderful,” she says. “Everything is specific to the cuisines of the establishment, and that makes the buyer very happy.”  

Cakes and Bakes 

Camacho works with many restaurants and churns out treats from her commercial kitchen space on Myrtle Avenue. For local Lakers, you can find her cinnamon rolls in the sundaes at Corner Creamery. In neighboring Montville, look for Sweet Melissa’s zucchini bread, olive oil cake, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free brownies. 

Camacho also offers in-town delivery of specialty cakes, cake pops, macarons, or dessert buffets, but the biggest news is the launch of the Monthly Pastry Box. “I’m so excited to offer customers a curated collection of handcrafted desserts that change every month,” she says. “Each box features a mix of seasonal flavors and bakery favorites, giving customers a chance to experience a variety of my creations in one delicious package.” To sign up, customers can use the Hotplate app to subscribe, allowing for preorders. Gift certificates can also be purchased on the app. The September pastry box includes apple pie brioche crumble, tomato jam hand pie, and a malted chocolate tart with a coffee cream. 

Among some of the baker’s most popular items are cookies, lemon strawberry bars and savory croissants stuffed with spinach and artichoke. The homemade “pop tarts” are a nod to the nostalgic breakfast treat, stuffed with peach strawberry filling and topped with icing and sprinkles. Chocolate chip scones, rich double chocolate muffins, and caramel popcorn cream puffs contain the finest ingredients. 

“I love combining unexpected and interesting flavors, like my passion fruit and brown butter cookie (thumbprint with passion fruit curd and a brown butter glaze) or my ruffle chocolate chip marshmallow cookies (chocolate chip cookies, ruffle potato chips and marshmallow),” says Camacho. 

“Turning simple ingredients into something memorable and bringing people together through dessert is so rewarding. Knowing something I made created a happy memory is incredibly fulfilling,” she says.

Family is Everything

When not baking, Camacho enjoys spending time with her husband, Ricky, a chef/partner of Anejo Restaurant in both Tribeca and Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan and Playa Taqueria in Montclair.  

“He truly understands the passion, long hours, and sacrifices that come with working in the hospitality industry,” she says. “On the difficult days, he’s the one who reminds me why I started and encourages me to keep going. Beyond being my biggest supporter, he also handles much of the behind-the-scenes work for Sweet Melissa Bake Shop, allowing me to focus on creating and growing the business,” she says. “Having someone who understands this industry and believes in me has made all the difference.” 

Family is everything to Camacho. “My children, Ethan (14) and Mia (10), are my biggest motivation. Every decision I make is with them in mind,” she says. “Whether it’s creating a flexible schedule so I can be present for their milestones, cheering them on at soccer games and school events, or showing them what it looks like to work hard for your dreams, they inspire me every single day.” 

Providing sweets to Boonton and local communities is much more than mixing butter, sugar, and flour to Camacho. “To me, being part of the Boonton community means belonging. It’s about supporting my neighbors, collaborating with other local businesses, and giving back whenever I can.” 

“Through Sweet Melissa Bakeshop, I’ve had the privilege of being a part of birthdays, weddings, fundraisers, and everyday moments that bring people together,” she says. I’m grateful to call Boonton home and proud to contribute to the community that has supported my dream.”

For more info and to order, look for Sweet Melissa Bake Shop on Hotplate, Facebook and Instagram, or email her at melissa@sweetmelissabakeshop.com.  

Photographs by Antonietta Henry

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.