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For anyone with celiac disease, a bakery case usually comes with a long list of questions and a short list of safe answers. In Collingswood, one small shop flips that script completely, because nothing in the case contains gluten at all.
The family-run bakery spent years selling treats through coffee shops in Philadelphia before finally opening a storefront of its own on the Jersey side of the bridge. Cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon buns and custom cakes all come out of a kitchen built for people who usually have to say no thanks.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes it special, and how to plan a stop this weekend.
A Sweet New Address on Haddon Avenue
Haddon Avenue just gained a reason for gluten-free families to circle back again and again. GF Sweeties – Gluten Free Bakery (Dairy Free & Vegan available) now sits at 811 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108.
Collingswood is in Camden County, a quick hop across the bridge from Philadelphia. That location makes it an easy day trip for families across South Jersey and for city folks willing to cross the river.
The shop is a bakery first and foremost. Its whole lineup is gluten-free, and many items are also made dairy-free or vegan.
That combination is rare, and it changes the experience for anyone managing food allergies. There is no need to scan a menu for a tiny symbol or quiz the counter about shared ovens.
The storefront is a fresh step for a business that has been around for years. Before this move, the bakery operated out of a facility tucked inside a repurposed building with multiple businesses, where most customers picked up pre-ordered cakes.
Now there is a proper shop with a case to browse. Some baked goods are even available only in the store, which gives regulars a fresh reason to show up in person.
The address is new, but the recipes have plenty of history behind them.
From Philly Coffee Counters to a Shop of Its Own
Long before the Collingswood sign went up, plenty of Philadelphians were already eating these treats without knowing where they came from. GF Sweeties goods were sold at local coffee shops in Philly for many years.
Fans who followed the brand there were thrilled to hear about the brick and mortar opening. Some made the quick drive over the bridge almost as soon as the doors opened.
The baker behind it all is Sachiko, often called Sachi by grateful customers. Her baking is described as following Old World Japanese traditional values, which shows up in the care and patience behind each order.
The business is family-run, and that detail matters to the people who shop here. Owner responses to customer notes are personal and quick, usually ending with a warm hope to see them soon.
There was also a transition period worth knowing about. The bakery went through a move from its earlier facility, and loyal customers promised to follow it to the new Haddon Avenue spot.
That kind of loyalty does not come from a clever logo. It comes from years of showing up with safe, dependable baked goods.
So what exactly makes the kitchen so trusted?
Why Celiac Families Breathe Easier Here
Cross-contamination is the quiet worry behind every gluten-free bite bought outside the home. At this bakery, that worry mostly disappears, because the kitchen is 100 percent gluten-free.
Celiac customers describe it as truly safe. One longtime celiac shopper who has tried gluten-free bakeries in many countries ranks this one at the very top, praising the attention paid to safe ingredients.
The comfort extends to families facing brand new diagnoses. A parent whose daughter was recently diagnosed with celiac found a birthday cake here when other bakeries needed days of notice.
Other allergies are taken seriously too. The bakery has made cakes for a child with wheat, dairy, egg and pea allergies, plus a vegan cake for someone with a serious peanut allergy who needed a peanut-free kitchen.
Staff members know which products are vegan, which helps shoppers with layered dietary needs. That knowledge saves time and guesswork at the counter.
- Fully gluten-free kitchen
- Dairy-free and vegan options available
- Experience with multiple allergy requests
Allergy needs vary widely, so it is smart to explain specific concerns when ordering. Safety is the foundation, but the treats themselves are what keep people coming back.
Cupcakes, Cookies and the Famous Cinnamon Buns
The headline promises a whole case of gluten-free treats, and the lineup delivers. Cookies and cupcakes are the items people mention most often.
The cupcakes come with frosting that is sometimes dairy-free, and even skeptics say they could not tell the difference. One self-described reluctant gluten-free eater from the city planned a return trip the very next day.
Cinnamon buns have their own fan club. A longtime celiac customer described having a first cinnamon bun in 15 years here, which says plenty about how rare that treat can be.
Cookie choices include s’mores cookies and Milano-style chocolate cookies, plus dark chocolate sandwich cookies. Scones, brownies and donuts round things out.
Shop-only items add an element of surprise. Raspberry shortbread, oatmeal pies, strawberry shortcake and strawberry roll cake have all earned praise from people who wandered in to browse.
Holiday treats also make appearances, and Easter and Thanksgiving orders have been big hits with families.
A common theme runs through it all. These treats are not dry, which is a frequent letdown with gluten-free baking.
Arriving earlier in the day helps, since the case can thin out by late afternoon.
Custom Cakes That Save the Celebration
Birthdays can be tricky when the guest of honor cannot eat regular cake. That is where this bakery has built much of its reputation.
Custom cakes come in chocolate, vanilla and other combinations, including vanilla with raspberry filling. Quarter sheet cakes and cupcake pull-apart cakes are on the menu as well.
Flexibility stands out. The bakery has accommodated a last-minute birthday request, a cake made on a day the shop was closed, and a gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free cake ready within a few hours on a busy Saturday.
Customers receive a text when cakes are ready for pickup. Ordering online and picking up has been described as easy.
The decorations get plenty of love too. Cakes arrive beautifully finished, and guests without dietary restrictions often cannot tell they are gluten-free.
Fair is fair, though. One customer who ordered a vegan cake based on an AI-generated design felt the final product missed the mark, so sharing realistic inspiration photos and discussing details clearly is a good idea.
The owner invited that customer to reach out directly to resolve it. Clear communication goes a long way with any custom order.
Wedding Cakes Without the Worry
A wedding day is the last place anyone wants to worry about what is in the cake. For couples who need a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, this bakery has stepped up.
Wedding cakes are among the popular topics customers bring up. One bride with celiac chose a small cake for cutting plus a sheet cake to serve guests, a practical setup that keeps costs manageable.
Sachiko met with the couple to discuss the design. That one-on-one planning helps the final cake match the vision.
The result was praised as beautiful. The groom, who can eat gluten, reportedly went back for a second bite right after the cutting.
Cake decoration is a recurring highlight across many orders. Couples planning showers, engagement parties or anniversaries can also explore the same custom options.
Planning ahead is wise for big events. Limited shop hours mean phone or email orders in advance are the smoothest path, especially for weddings.
Small details, like a celiac bride eating her own wedding cake without fear, explain why this bakery inspires such loyalty.
A Cute, Clean Shop With a Warm Welcome
Some bakeries feel like a transaction. This one feels more like a neighbor who happens to bake.
The new shop is described as clean and cute, a tidy spot to browse the case. It suits families with kids hunting for a cupcake, couples on a Collingswood stroll, and anyone picking up a special order.
Hospitality is a recurring theme. The owner is called super sweet and known for going above and beyond.
A memorable example: when a family drove 30 minutes and the order could not be found, the bakery insisted on delivering it that same evening. Mistakes happen everywhere, but that response won a loyal customer.
Prices have been called reasonable, which matters to families who buy specialty treats often. Allergy-friendly baking can get expensive fast, so that is welcome news.
Mixed groups do well here too. Non-gluten-free family members regularly enjoy the same cakes and cookies, so nobody feels left out.
The shop holds a perfect 5-star average across about 100 Google ratings, a strong sign of consistent care. Good vibes, it turns out, can be baked in.
Hours, Ordering and Getting There
Timing is everything with a small-batch bakery. The shop keeps limited hours, so planning helps.
- Wednesday: 10 am to 3 pm
- Thursday: 10 am to 3 pm
- Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Saturday: 10 am to 3 pm
- Sunday: 10 am to 2 pm
- Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Hours can change, so checking the website at gfsweeties.com before heading out is a good habit. Friday offers the longest window for an after-school stop.
Custom cakes are best ordered ahead by phone, email or online. Rush requests have been handled before, but that depends on availability.
Getting there is simple for most of South Jersey. Collingswood sits just over the bridge from Philadelphia, and many customers mention driving about 30 minutes.
Arrive early for the best selection. Popular items can sell out by late afternoon, and nobody wants to miss the last cinnamon bun.
Parking details at the new storefront may differ from the old facility, so allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends.
A Case Worth Crossing the Bridge For
Not every bakery earns a promise from customers to follow it across town. This one did, and its new home makes the trip even easier.
The appeal comes down to trust. A fully gluten-free kitchen means celiac families can point at anything in the case and simply say yes.
Add dairy-free and vegan options, a family-run spirit and a habit of rescuing birthdays, and the formula is clear. The treats win over people who do not even need them to be gluten-free.
It makes a feel-good weekend stop for South Jersey families. Pair it with a walk along Haddon Avenue, grab a box of cookies, and maybe place a cake order for the next celebration.
A few tips to remember before heading out:
- Visit Wednesday through Sunday
- Go early for full selection
- Order custom cakes in advance when possible
Small local businesses like this one thrive on repeat visits. For anyone who has spent years skipping dessert, this little shop on Haddon Avenue offers something better than a treat, a seat back at the table.
