Featured Member: Bonilla Bread
A Passion for Baking and Community
Featured Member Bonilla Bread in Bethlehem has quickly become a name synonymous with mouthwatering, homestyle bread. Founded by Casey Bonilla in the winter of 2019, this family-owned homestead bakery prides itself on delivering high-quality, old-fashioned-tasting bread made with real ingredients. It has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and beyond. With roots in Connecticut and a lifelong love for baking, Casey has turned her childhood passion into a thriving family business.
A Family Tradition
The Bonilla family’s journey into baking began with a simple act of kindness. Starting with a case of bananas, a dream, and a supportive community, this nutty family of seven grew a business from a single batch of banana bread. Bonilla Bread was born in beautiful Bethlehem, NH, when we made that inaugural batch for a donation-only field trip fundraiser. Four years later, we now deliver our products to multiple stores while continuing to sell curbside to our local community. We have big plans to keep ‘rising’ (pun intended).
Artisan Yeast Breads
Bonilla Bread offers a diverse selection of yeast breads, each crafted with care and attention to detail. Their Dutch Oven series includes favorites like Olive, Garlic Parmesan, Cheese & Herb, Artisan White, Seeded Rye, and Cranberry Walnut. Seasonal specialties such as Tomato Basil in the summer and fall, and Cinnamon Raisin during the winter months, keep the menu fresh and exciting. For those seeking traditional flavors, options like Black Russian (dark rye), Irish Soda Bread in March, and Soft Sandwich White are available. The bakery also caters to gluten-free diets with offerings like GF Cinnamon Raisin and GF White Sandwich Bread.
Delicious Quick Breads
For those who prefer quick breads, Bonilla Bread has an enticing selection. Staples like Almond Poppy and Lemon Poppy are always on the menu, with gluten-free versions available for both. Seasonal flavors add a delightful twist, with February featuring Chocolate Cherry and Chocolate Joshy Cakes. Other popular varieties include Blueberry Muffin Bread, Cranberry Orange Bread, and Maple Cinnamon Bread.
Gluten-Free Options
Understanding the importance of catering to dietary needs, Bonilla Bread offers a dedicated gluten-free line. Customers can enjoy GF Almond Poppy, GF Lemon Poppy, GF Cinnamon Raisin, GF Sandwich White, as well as gluten-free donuts, cookies, and bagels. The bakery is continually expanding its gluten-free offerings, with items like GF Pie Crust and GF Dutch Oven Garlic Parmesan in development.
From Kitchen Memories to a Flourishing Business
Casey Bonilla’s love for baking traces back to her childhood days spent in the kitchen with her grandmother. These formative experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation for the art of baking. “I’ve always wanted to do a bakery as a business,” she said, reflecting on her journey. Her dream began to take shape when she launched Bonilla Bread out of her home in Bethlehem, focusing on classic dessert breads like almond poppy seed, banana, and pumpkin.
Initially, Casey planned to keep her baking venture small and seasonal, but the community’s appetite for her creations quickly exceeded expectations. “It’s gotten a lot bigger, and I wasn’t planning on baking into January or February this year,” she shared during a Sunday evening baking session. “But I keep getting requests. Hence, why I am baking tonight.”
A Family Affair
Bonilla Bread is much more than a solo endeavor; it’s a family affair. Even while attending Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Casey’s daughter, Alana, has been a pivotal part of the business’s development. From afar, Alana provides her mother with organizational advice and “homework assignments” to help streamline operations. “She just bought me a binder and gave me the assignment to organize all of my scraps of paper covered with recipes and notes,” Casey laughed. “I’m supposed to have it all ready before she comes home for the summer.”
Casey’s eldest son, Elias, has also been a source of inspiration. Elias, who is autistic, works in the bakery at the Mount Washington Resort—a position that aligns perfectly with his dream of working in a kitchen. “He’s one of the reasons we started this project,” Casey said. “It was always his dream, and now he’s been at the hotel bakery for five years. He loves it.”
Baking with a Mission
While Bonilla Bread is currently a homestead bakery, Casey has a much larger vision for the future. She hopes to establish a commercial bakery that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Her goal is to collaborate with local service providers and schools, creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive. “We want to work with paraprofessionals and give people the same kind of opportunities my son had when he was still in high school,” she explained.
Where to Find Bonilla Bread
Customers can order directly from Bonilla Bread or find their products at various local establishments, including:
- Littleton Food Co-op
- Franconia Market & Deli
- Littleton Farmers’ Market
- Littleton Market and Produce
For more information or to place an order, visit their website at bonillabread.com. You can also reach them by phone at 603-991-3125 or via email at highpointsbakery@gmail.com.
