Gideon ' s interior design is not what you ' d expect at a bakery . PHOTO BY JEFF CHIU
BY DANNY SHUSTER
There ’ s a new addition to Disney Springs that is causing quite the commotion . Gideon ’ s Bakehouse is a truly outrageous bakery offering the most unbelievable cookies you have ever seen or tasted . Originating in the East End Market in Orlando , Gideon ’ s has expanded with its second location in The Landing at Disney Springs , and we can ’ t get enough of these insane cookies .
WHY SO SERIOUS ? You may have a puzzled look on your face the first time you enter Gideon ’ s Bakehouse . This storefront is dramatically different from the kind of bright and cheerful decor you usually find in a confection shop . Gideon ’ s Bakehouse leans heavily into a Gothic Victorian aesthetic . The shelves are full of curios and old books and vintage artwork , and gargoyles dot the space — the whole storefront has a sort of Tim Burton-y vibe .
I think it looks a little like Disney ’ s Haunted Mansion . The aesthetic seems disconnected from the focus on baking outrageous cookies yet somehow still works . The way the cakes and cookies are boxed makes them seem a little mysterious and all the more intriguing . According to Steve Lewis , the owner and creator of Gideon ’ s , the name comes from an antique cookbook he purchased . The book itself was full of little doodles and writings by a boy named Gideon who dreamt of being a baker , and Steve decided to fulfill that dream in his own unique way . understatement . Weighing in at nearly half-pound each , this is no delicate pastry . Gideon ’ s cookies are extreme and exploding with toppings . Each cookie flavor has a unique recipe , and all the products are handmade with quality ingredients and careful preparation . Generally speaking , dining at Disney is very accommodating of food allergies , dietary requirements , and other modifications . Gideon ' s , however , is not .
You won ’ t find gluten-free anything here except the coffee , and while not all the cookies and cakes contain nuts , everything is prepared in the same kitchen . Pretty much everything on the menu contains some combination of flour , butter , eggs , nuts , and other common allergens , so keep that in mind before you join the virtual queue ( more on that in a bit ). For those with dietary concerns , Disney Springs has a wide assortment of treats for you to enjoy . You ’ ll just have to look somewhere beyond Gideon ’ s to suit your needs .
Each Gideon ’ s cookie is more than enough to share , and some of the flavors seem to be pushing the limits of how many toppings you can fit in a single thick cookie . And by the time you get to the center , you may notice the texture is a little soft and chewy — this is by design . The cookies are fully cooked , but part of Gideon ’ s signature style mimics the delightful taste and texture of cookie dough .
WHAT WE ORDERED
• Limited Edition Cookie ( orange , pecan , chocolate chip )
• Coffee Cake Cookie
• Original Chocolate Chip
• Cookies & Creme
• True Red Velvet cake slice
• Limited Edition cake slice ( Florida Orange , Dark Chocolate Fudge cake )
• The Original Peanut Butter Cold Brew
PURPOSEFULLY UNIQUE You ’ ll understand this as soon as you pick up a Gideon ’ s cookie , but to say these cookies are unique is kind of an
RIGHT : The devil is in the details , like the awesome packaging . PREVIOUS PAGE : Find Gideon ' s in the Landing at Disney Springs . PHOTOS BY JEFF CHIU