Dessert Profile
Flavor: Gingerbread Muffin
Ingredients: All-purpose Flour, cinnamon, Molasses, Nutmeg, eggs, butter, brown sugar, salt, milk/butter milk
Price: $4-$4.50
Calories: 400-500 Calories
Three-word Review: Molasses Mood Setter.
Score: 6.7
About: Standard Baking Co.
Standard Baking Co. is a small artisan bakery in Portland, Maine, that’s built a big reputation by keeping things simple and doing them really well. Opened in 1995, they focus on classic European-style baking — fresh breads, buttery pastries, and seasonal treats that rotate throughout the year. When the weather turns cold, that’s when cozy, spice-filled items like gingerbread start showing up. The vibe is relaxed and grab-and-go, with trays of fresh baked goods and the smell of butter and warm spices in the air. Nothing is overly sweet or flashy — just well made pastries that keep the locals coming back all year round.
Chef's Note
Standard Baking Co. sticks to the traditional, slow-fermented baking style, which builds deeper flavor instead of rushing the process. That patience shows up in everything they make, giving even simple pastries a richer, more balanced taste.
Experience
Our experience at Standard Baking Co. was exactly what you’d expect from a busy local bakery. People were polite, locals were in and out grabbing their usuals, and I stood there taking a little longer than everyone else trying to figure out what I wanted. I eventually landed on the gingerbread muffin — mostly because I effin’ love gingerbread. The woman who checked me out was nice, not overly chatty, minimal eye contact, but pleasant enough. She told me to have a good day (that helped), and just like that I was out the door… ready to stuff my face.
Review
Appearance
The muffin is tall and dark brown with a dense, cake-like base. A thick layer of pale glaze covers the top and drips down the sides in uneven streaks. Small pieces of candied ginger sit in the center, adding a pop of color. The glaze looks slightly set but still glossy, contrasting against the deep molasses-colored crumb.
Touch
To the touch, the gingerbread is dense and slightly springy, with a firm outer edge and a soft, moist interior. The glaze on top is smooth, with the candied ginger pieces adding a slightly tacky, chewy texture.
Smell
The smell is lightly spiced, with notes of ginger, molasses, and cinnamon rising from the dark crust. The lemon glaze adds a light, citrusy brightness that cuts through the richness.
Taste
The first thing that hits is the soft, dense gingerbread muffin, followed quickly by the sweet lemon glaze. The entire bite is rich and substantial, filling the mouth and feeling immediately satisfying. As you chew, the warm spice of ginger starts to build, backed by deep molasses notes that give the muffin its bold flavor. The glaze lingers with a light citrus brightness, cutting through the richness, while occasional pieces of candied ginger adds a nice chewy pop of spice. The gingerbread muffin stays pretty balanced throughout, giving you a tasty gingerbread experience you’ll be upset when it’s over.
What to Tell Your Friends
It’s a dense gingerbread muffin with lemon glaze. The spiced flavor and dense texture put this muffin over the top.
Guilt-Free Zone
Burn 400-500 calories
- Take a Spin Class
- Walk for 4-5 miles
- Play a sport for 40 minutes
