From banana pudding iced lattes to tomato galettes, New York City’s bakeries are embracing the flavors of summer. Here is how some of the city’s favorite bakeries bring limited-edition creations to life. Photo courtesy of Levain Bakery.

Across New York City, bakeries are transforming seasonal ingredients into treats designed to capture the spirit of the summer season. Whether inspired by seasonal berries, nostalgic childhood desserts, or classic summer gatherings, these limited-time offerings showcase the creativity behind some of the city’s most beloved bakeries. DOWNTOWN went behind the scenes with Levain Bakery and Maman to learn more about their standout treats this summer.

Levain Bakery

The iconic Levain Bakery introduced its Nuts About Summer collection, featuring the new Raspberry Pistachio flavor alongside the return of the fan-favorite Rocky Road. Raspberry Pistachio combines sweet raspberries, pistachios, and creamy white chocolate for a seasonal twist that still represents Levain’s signature style.

Lorna Sommerville, Chief Commercial Officer of Levain Bakery, shared the inspiration behind this year’s selection. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Walk us through the timeline of a seasonal launch. How far ahead does it start, and who’s in the room?

A seasonal launch starts months ahead, and sometimes the inspiration has been with the team for years before the timing is right. Raspberry Pistachio is a good example. The idea had been in conversation for a long time, and this spring the team revisited it in a way that felt right for summer. 

From there, it becomes a highly collaborative process. Our founders Pam and Connie look at everything: flavor, texture, how the ingredients bake, how the cookie looks, whether it can be executed consistently across our bakeries and, most importantly, whether it delivers the Levain experience: crispy outside, thick and gooey center, generous ingredients, and a flavor people will crave.”

What determines or inspires seasonal items? 

It can start in a few different places, but it always has to come back to something we genuinely love. Sometimes it begins with an ingredient we’re excited about. Sometimes it’s a memory or a classic dessert we want to reinterpret in our own way.. And sometimes it’s simply the feeling of a season. We don’t chase trends; we’re much more interested in flavors that feel familiar, craveable and a little special.

How do you make a seasonal flavor feel Levain rather than a flavor people can get anywhere?

It always comes back to texture. That crispy outside and thick, gooey center is the hallmark of a Levain cookie, and it’s what makes every bite so distinct and satisfying. No matter the flavor, that contrast has to be there. 

Then it’s about balance. With Carrot Cake, we wanted the warmth of the classic dessert but in a way that felt true to us. We used freshly grated carrots, apricots, white chocolate chips and pecans, and spent a lot of time getting the spice and texture right. With Raspberry Pistachio, the raspberry brings brightness, the pistachio brings crunch and nuttiness, and the white chocolate rounds everything out. 

Has a seasonal item ever performed so well you considered keeping it year-round? What did you decide, and what goes into that call?

Yes. Caramel Coconut started as a seasonal flavor and the response was strong enough that we brought it into the core lineup. But that decision is never just about popularity. We looked at how it fits within the full menu, whether it brings something distinct, how consistently it can be made across our bakeries, and whether it can stand beside our original classics every day. 

Is there a seasonal flavor you’re most proud of?

We’re proud of all of them, but two stand out right now. Raspberry Pistachio has been especially exciting because it feels so bright and unexpected while still being very Levain. Pam and Connie’s inspiration came when they first tried a raspberry chocolate nearly eight years ago and kept coming back to that idea. When they revisited it this summer, the combination really clicked. And then there’s Lemon, which became a best seller right out of the gate, and [its] staying power says a lot.

Maman

Maman recently partnered with Martha Stewart on a seasonal collaboration featuring heirloom tomato and burrata bowls, cherry cheesecake turnovers, and other summer-inspired dishes. The bakery’s seasonal pastry lineup also includes the nostalgic S’mores Croissant Cube while the Banana Pudding Iced Latte offers a refreshing take on a classic dessert. Additionally, Maman offers a variety of vegan and gluten-free options, ensuring there’s something for nearly every guest. 

DOWNTOWN spoke with Jean-Louis Berthet, Executive Culinary Director at Maman, on the creative process. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How has the process of choosing seasonal flavors changed over the years?

The process hasn’t changed dramatically over the years, but we’ve become much better listeners. We pay close attention to guest feedback, seasonal ingredients, and what genuinely excites us as a team. At the end of the day, we won’t introduce a flavor unless we truly love it ourselves and feel confident it will resonate with our guests.

How do you make a seasonal flavor feel Maman rather than a flavor people can get anywhere?

What makes a seasonal flavor feel like Maman is the story behind it. We draw inspiration from guest feedback, personal memories, and the moments people want to celebrate throughout the year. We focus on creating flavors that feel familiar, comforting, and shareable. This summer’s S’mores Croissant Cube and Strawberry Lemonade Cruffin, for example, are rooted in childhood nostalgia while still feeling fresh and exciting. Every menu item should reflect the warmth, generosity, and sense of connection that define the Maman experience.

Walk us through the timeline of a seasonal launch. How far ahead does it start, and who’s in the room?

Our seasonal planning typically begins about three months before launch. It starts with our marketing calendar. From there, our Marketing Director, Pastry Director, and broader team come together to draw inspiration and explore new flavor combinations. We spend time tasting, refining, and evaluating each concept before [choosing] the items we feel best capture the season and reflect what our guests will love most.

Has a seasonal item ever performed so well you considered keeping it year-round? What did you decide, and what goes into that call?

There have been so many over the years! A few specific menu items include the pistachio olive tea cake, the cinnamon bun kouign maman, and the vegan tahini chocolate chip cookies.

DOWNTOWN also had the opportunity to sample treats at its SoHo location. Standout favorites included the S’mores Croissant Cube and the Summer Peach Mojito. Erin, the location’s manager, shared her personal recommendations for first-time visitors. For a savory breakfast, she recommends the Papa’s Breakfast Bowl paired with a black Americano. Those with a sweet tooth should try the Banana Walnut Bread, one of her longtime favorites. 

Breads Bakery

Breads Bakery introduced a limited-time menu celebrating one of summer’s most popular ingredients: tomatoes. From July 1 through July 31, you can choose from baked goods like the Tomato Galette, layered with cherry tomatoes and fresh tomato jam, and the unique Tomato Challah finished with olive oil. 

Additionally, the collection includes sandwiches, salads, and soups. The Tomato & Feta on Focaccia layers fresh tomatoes, feta, arugula, and sun-dried tomato spread on za’atar focaccia. The Mozzarella Sandwich features tomatoes with walnut pesto and balsamic on ciabatta. Overall, the menu perfectly captures summertime while also showcasing Bread’s creativity.

Baked by Melissa

Baked by Melissa is leaning into summer nostalgia with a seasonal cupcake collection inspired by classic ice cream truck favorites: Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl, S’moreo, and Caramel Cone. The flavors each transform into the brand’s signature bite-sized cupcakes.

In addition to seasonal flavors, Baked by Melissa continues to release themed assortments celebrating holidays throughout the year. Just in time for Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary, the bakery debuted the S’mores & Stripes pack, which features red, white, and blue-inspired designs, making it a colorful addition to Fourth of July celebrations.