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A love of baking shows at Lorene's Loving Oven

LAKE PARK - The first thing you notice at Lorene's Loving Oven bakery isn't the display case, the unique 'wedding cake clock' or even the shiny, clean floors; it's the smell. The heavenly smell of freshly baked cakes, cookie and pies swirls around the small store-front tempting customers as they wait for Lorene Hughey, owner, and her mother, head baker Altamese Kerr, to fill their orders.

Ms. Hughey, along with Mrs. Kerr make an array of mouth-watering baked goods daily; everything from sweet potato pie to German chocolate cake. And everything is baked, from scratch, right on the premises, which is located at 950 U.S. 1, across the street from Boca Bargoons fabric store. Ms. Hughey wouldn't have it any other way.

After a 20-year career in the bakery departments at various Publix stores - her latest stint was at the Publix in Oakbrook Square in Juno Beach - Ms. Hughey wanted the chance to do things her way. And that means no mixes or pre-made dough. "Hove a challenge," she says. In addition to the extended list of baked goods they offer, Lorene's Loving Oven will custom make any dessert for any occasion. Indeed, one of the Kerr's apple-green walls is adorned by smiling brick grooms with their wedding cakes. "My husband was just raving about your apple pie," gushed one customer waiting to pick up an order. "We were so pleased with everything."

Ms. Hughey certainly aims to please, and said getting the word out about her business, which opened in August, has been her biggest challenge. But it's getting better and she hopes that once word gets around bakery in the neighbor-hood, she'll have more business than she can handle. Lorene's features 13 different pound cakes, some with an unusual twist. There's Lemon, Marble, Sour Cream, Caramel Pecan and yes, 7-Up Pound Cake.

"It's just made with 7-Up soda," explained Mrs. Kerr. "It's very good." While I can't vouch for that, I can tell you that the sample platter I tried was delicious. Lorene's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies topped my list, followed by the Mini-Pumpkin Loaf with cinnamon flavor, the Five-Flavor Pound Cake (butter, rum, vanilla, lemon and coconut), a Mini-Apple Pie, a Coconut Cream Pie, a Coconut Layer Cake with seven-minute icing, Coconut Cookies and Pearl Bars, shortbread-type cookies. My husband, who helped me with this assignment, proclaimed the piecrust "very nice," and said everything tasted so fresh.

In addition, Lorene's Loving Oven features Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Egg Custard Pie, a Fruit Truffle, Red Velvet Cake and Cobblers: Peach, Peach/Apple and Blueberry and Mango in season. The only items you won't find at Lorene's are bread, Danish and donuts. Those items are all being made, and being made well, elsewhere, Ms. Hughey says. And here's some-thing else you won't find at Lorene's: Strangers working in her kitchen.

"You'll only see family working here," she said with a laugh.

Lorene's Loving Oven is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call in advance for custom orders (561) 881-9006.

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