Is the Best Fruitcake in Upstate NY, in This Tiny Village of 600?? - CNY News

It was Johnny Carson's most famous monologue joke.
"“The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other."

Is the Best Fruitcake in Upstate NY, in This Tiny Village of 600?? - CNY News

Is the Best Fruitcake In Upstate NY Made in This Tiny Village of Just 600 People?

Where Fruitcake is a GOURMET Item!

People Come From Miles Around to Buy These Incredible Fruitcakes

The Black Cat Cafe is Right In the Middle Of the Village

"The Fruitcake Philosophy"

Drunken Blonde Fruitcake is a Big Hit Here!

So, how long do they keep?

They Also Sell Sugar Plums,Macaroons,and an Epic Pineapple Cherry Cake!

One of Sharon Springs'Best Spots For People-Watching

Cafe is Just Steps Away From the World Famous Beekman 1802 Mercantile!

Have This Famous Fruitcake Sent Right to Your Home!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

And from then on the poor fruitcake found itself as the punchline at the end of a hundred different jokes and stories.  Most of these referenced its heft, and even more so the fruitcake's longevity.  It is not true that a fruitcake can last until the end of the world comes.
But, for me.  I don't get it.  I have always loved a fruitcake.  You couldn't get enough candied fruits, dry nuts, infused alcohol, or dribbled glaze on it to suit me.  And the longer it lasted the better.  How about toasting a bit of it with honey butter.  Yup, now you are talking.
So, disregarding all of the sweet treat humor, we think we have found perhaps the best fruitcake in Upstate New York.  Dozens of bakeries make them, but there is a small bakery in the tiny village of Sharon Springs, New York that has really made a "fruitcake name" for themselves.
The Black Cat Café sits in the middle of this Schoharie County village of about 600 residents.  People come from miles around to pick up a fruitcake here.  Or another bakery item.  Can you imagine, they even make sugar plums here.  I never thought those were real items, just  "visions dancing around in my head."
Check out the story of the Black Cat Café and its famous fruitcake in the gallery below.  And stop in the next time you are cruising around beautiful Schoharie County!

Is the Best Fruitcake In Upstate NY Made in This Tiny Village of Just 600 People?

Fruitcake. Poor fruitcake.
For generations this holiday staple has been the butt of jokes from lame stand-up comedians, and jokes from family members when they look up and see Grandma coming through the front door at Christmas with a giant one in her hands.
But, wait!
The Black Cat Café in tiny Sharon Springs, New York has made quite a reputation for fantastic fruitcakes over the years. Owner Tony Douw (sic. “Daou”) makes a "Drunken Blonde" fruitcake that is out-of-this-world, and other varieties too. All from his kitchen in the back of the café on Main Street in this remote, historic village.
Check out this gallery and see what all the fuss is about over at the Black Cat Café. Yummy!!!!!

Gallery Credit: Chuck DImperio

Where Fruitcake is a GOURMET Item!

The Black Cat Cafe has an unassuming exterior, a comfortable and welcoming interior, delicious foods and coffee drinks, and some of the absolute best fruitcake you will find in Upstate New York. Yes, we said fruitcake!

 

People Come From Miles Around to Buy These Incredible Fruitcakes

People follow the backroads and highways to the northern part of Schoharie County to find these delicious fruitcakes in Sharon Springs, NY. They have several varieties as well as other bakery items (macaroons are outstanding) and bakery gift baskets.  At the Black Cat the love of fruitcakes goes on long before and after Christmas!

The Black Cat Cafe is Right In the Middle Of the Village 

For those who know, the village of Sharon Springs is very tiny (about 600 residents) but gets very lively at various times of the year. The village is known for its large festivals and live events, with a heavy emphasis on the Christmas season as well as summertime when thousands come here to see what all the fuss is about. The Black Cat Cafe has gained a loyal following from all of these many visitors each year.

 

"The Fruitcake Philosophy"

Owner/baker Tony Douw (sic. “Daou”) stands in front of his Main Street Cafe and shares his deep thoughts on fruitcake and the reputation this holiday treat has come to receive.

Drunken Blonde Fruitcake is a Big Hit Here!

This was the "original" fruitcake at the Black Cat Cafe. Their website describes it as such: "The original! Not the typical fruitcake! Light, loaded with natural dried fruits, wrapped in cheesecloth. They last for months at room temperature, but we doubt once you open one, it will last very long! You may brush with more of your favorite liqueur if you like ...moist, soft & scrumptious!

So, how long do they keep?

• unopened, up to 6 months! But to be sure to store at room temperature! Do not freeze! 

• once opened, re-wrap or put in a ziplock bag and enjoy for weeks

 Great lightly toasted and slathered with butter for a perfect breakfast or tea cake!

INGREDIENTS: dried figs, dates, pineapple, orange, apricots, dark & golden raisins, brandy, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, salt, pecans, Laird's applejack, VS Brandy

They Also Sell Sugar Plums,   Macaroons, and an Epic Pineapple Cherry Cake!

OK, so we have all had "visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads." But have we ever really had one? Not this writer. Next visit to the Black Cat Cafe and I will fix that!! Described as "When did you last (ever?) have a real Sugar Plum? "Visions of the holidays with these authentic classic treats, made with only the finest dried fruits and all-natural ingredients:  allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried plums, dates, dried apricots, orange oil, maple syrup, flake coconut, Apple Jack, whole cloves (for stems) They keep wonderfully well for weeks at room temperature and months in the refrigerator."

 

One of Sharon Springs'Best Spots For People-Watching

Main Street in Sharon Springs has several little shops and galleries to explore. Don't forget to check out the drop-dead gorgeous 1849 American Hotel across the street from the cafe, The village got its name from the many mineral springs around the community. People from all over the east came here for the medicinal benefits of the springs, and there were many sprawling hotels in the village to accommodate the visitors (remnants of these hotels and springs can still be seen).

 

 

Cafe is Just Steps Away From the World Famous Beekman 1802 Mercantile!

The Beekman 1802 is arguably the reason that huge numbers visit this small village. Owned by the famous "Fabulous Beekman Boys" (Josh-Kilmer Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge), the Beekman Boys have founded one of the largest and most successful lifestyle product companies in America. Favorites on QVC and in stores and hotels around the world, the two partners live just a mile from downtown here and are the catalyst for many of the events held in Sharon Springs. (Factoid: Did you know that the Fabulous Beekman Boys received a million dollars for winning the reality TV show "The Great Race" in 2012?) The Beekman 1802 is at 187 Main Street, and the Black Cat Café is next door at 195 Main Street. Visit them both on your next journey here.

 

Have This Famous Fruitcake Sent Right to Your Home!

Have this famous fruitcake (and other items) shipped right to your own home! For details, visit the next KNOW BEFORE YOU GO panel.

 

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

Black Cat Cafe
195 Main Street
Sharon Springs, New York
(Schoharie County)
Social Media: https://blackcatcafes.com/Phone: (518) 284-2575
Email: blackcat-ny.com
(Note: Sharon Springs is 50 miles west of Albany)