There aren’t many things better in life than pastries. Light little puffs of dough, sweetened ever so slightly, served with an array of fillings ranging from tart fruits to decadent creams. Eclairs. Danishes. Croissants. They are all absolutely brilliant.
The art of making pastries is a challenge for any baker because pastries take an additional skill that some (okay, me) simply do not have: patience. The rolling and folding and proofing and rising of the dough are daunting tasks and can break the spirit of even the most seasoned chef. However, if done correctly, the reward is totally worth it.
If you are like me and still lack the time and energy needed to self-create one of these tiny masterpieces, your best bet is to find someone else that can do it for you. But not just anyone. Someone who has a true passion for the artistry behind each carefully-curated ball of dough. Still unsure? Look no further than the baking family extraordinaire behind the Gulf Coast’s newest and most sought-after patisserie, Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery.
Located in Gautier, Founding Fathers opened in December 2022 and has taken the small town by storm. Founders and owners Travis and Shauna Eltzroth are the brains and brawn behind this sweet little bake shop, whipping up from-scratch pastries, muffins, cakes, and more. Shauna, a self-taught baker, draws inspiration from her French roots, using family recipes passed down from her grandmother and great-grandmother. Named in honor of their fathers, Mike and Bob, both Travis and Shauna hoped to bring their love of baking to their community and from there, Founding Fathers was born.
One bite of anything at Founding Fathers and you will immediately get it. It’s completely next level. Shauna makes everything in-house from the pie crusts to the dough to the mayonnaise and the cheese. Yes, even the cheese at Founding Fathers is from scratch. I learned quickly that there’s “made from scratch” and then there’s Founding Fathers made from scratch. Simple breakfast and lunch items are menu staples. The Quiche Florentine is absolutely amazing, as are the eat-on-the-go egg bites, featuring a variety of ingredients such as bacon, pesto and tomato basil. The house Pimento Cheese is available BLT style or as a standalone purchase. Shauna’s great grandmother was the original purveyor of this Southern staple and her secret French inspired ingredients are the perfect addition to the housemade mayo and cheddar.
One of the most popular items at Founding Fathers is the Cinnamon Roll. Extra-large rolls are loosely coiled with the perfect balance of cinnamon and sugar and topped with their house icing. Shauna loves adding seasonal fruits to her cinnamon rolls, using everything from a strawberry spread to a lemon filling. The Dark Chocolate Cupcakes highlight Founding Fathers’ Bavarian cream and a delicate streusel mix. Cheese Danishes are a staple from Shauna’s grandmother, as well as the Coconut Cake featuring whipped cream, a light strawberry blend, and freshly grated coconut.
My personal favorites were the Lemon Bars and Blueberry Muffins. The Lemon Bars were the perfect balance between a crunchy, toasted bottom and a smooth, tangy lemon center. The white chocolate ganache topped everything perfectly. Still, hands down, the Blueberry Muffins were the superstars of the day, like a shining beacon calling me to Bakery Heaven. Almost cake-like, the muffins were full of freshly picked blueberries and topped with a light glaze and streusel crumble. Halfway through writing this review, I stopped and contacted the bakery to preorder a dozen. They are that good.
Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery is exactly what Gautier and the entire Gulf Coast needs. The Eltzroths work tirelessly to ensure their customers’ expectations are not only met but exceeded. They are community-driven and can often be found donating any remaining items to local food banks or shelters. Any day you go, you’ll find Shauna whipping up most of the bakery delights, Travis greeting customers and even their young son, Christian, helps by ringing up customers every now and then. It’s definitely a family affair. Shauna explained that everyone in the world has a special gift and that theirs is bringing these delightful treats to everyone. Founding Fathers is everything you need to start your day and it is definitely the gift that keeps on giving.
Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery
1625 Hwy 90, Gautier
228.205.4194
Facebook@FoundingFathersBrunchBakery
Hours:
Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mon. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tues.-Fri., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
and Sat. as announced
