Crumbled

Barton Village BIA
Aug 6
3 min read

Crumbled: Serving Up Sweet Creativity in Barton Village

In the heart of Hamilton’s Barton Village, a little shop with a big imagination is baking up joy one cake bowl at a time. Meet Crumbled, a bakery and ice cream shop run by Angela and Matt, two passionate locals who turned their love for sweets into a growing business.

Crumbled Owners Angela & Matt talk about their journey to business ownership.

From Cake Pops to Crumbled

Crumbled came under Angela and Matt’s care in early July 2023, but Angela’s dessert journey began long before that, with cake pops. Introduced to them by a friend in the late '90's, Angela was instantly hooked on the creative possibilities. “I kind of did it on my own at home,” she shares. “Friends and family started asking me to make things, and it just grew from there.” After working at a chocolate shop where her creativity felt limited, Angela decided it was time to go out on her own. “I told Matt, ‘I’m ready.’” That same day, Matt discovered Crumbled was for sale. It was meant to be.

What’s on the Menu?

Crumbled is best known for its customizable cake bowls, cake in a cup or bowl loaded with your choice of toppings, fillings, and even a scoop of Kawartha Dairy ice cream. With 16 ice cream flavours and a variety of icing and topping combinations, the options are nearly endless.

“We also do custom cakes for events, themed desserts, cookies, cupcakes, edible image printing, and corporate branding,” says Matt. “Angela’s a wonderful chocolatier too. Honestly, if you can imagine it, we can probably make it!”

Their cakes aren’t just pretty, they’re wildly creative. From superhero cake pops to traditional three-tier wedding cakes, Angela’s self-taught talent is impressive. “There’s nothing she isn’t able to make out of melted chocolate it seems,” Matt says proudly.

Community First

Angela and Matt didn’t just choose Barton Village, they live there. “We love the neighbourhood,” Angela explains. “We’d talked before about how this area needed ice cream. You had to go to James or Lottridge, and even then it was soft serve, not scooped.”

Being part of Barton Village means more than running a business. “The word ‘community’ is lived here, not just spoken,” Matt says. “We know our neighbours, both where we live and where we do business. Everyone looks out for each other.”

What to Expect When You Visit

From the moment you walk through the door, expect a friendly welcome and a fun, colourful space. “People always take pictures in front of the colourful wall, or sprinkles in the back,” says Matt. But the real showstopper? The desserts.

Crumbled’s most popular item is the Red Velvet Cake Bowl, followed closely by the fan-favourite Biscoff. There’s even a rotating Cake Bowl of the Month to keep things fresh for returning customers.

“We also have vegan options, salty-sweet combinations, and ice cream on top of your cake if that’s your thing,” Angela adds. “There’s a little something for everyone.”

A Day in the Life

Most mornings start slowly at Crumbled, giving Angela time to prep for upcoming orders. “The early part of the day is baking and getting stocked up,” says Matt. “After dinner is our prime time, lots of walk-ins and deliveries.”

Since taking over, Crumbled has already evolved. The addition of ice cream was a natural step, but Angela’s growth as a cake artist has been the biggest transformation. “She rarely says no to an idea, even if she doesn’t know how to do it yet,” Matt shares. “She always figures it out. We’ve never had one returned.”

Advice for New Business Owners

“Be passionate about what you do,” Angela advises. “It makes your work more fun and helps you want to challenge yourself.”

Matt adds, “Know when to delegate. Your time is too valuable to do everything yourself. Focus on your strengths, and ask for help when needed.”

Local Faves

When they’re not baking up a storm, Angela and Matt love to brunch. “We try all the cafés,” says Angela. Their current favourite? Verlan, a hidden gem in the city. “It feels like going to her house for a meal,” Matt says. They also love Motel and Eldercamp, and hope to explore more of the local bar scene when their schedules allow.