JACKSON, MICH. — Sweet Crunch Bakeshop of Pembroke, N.H., won the “Sweetest Bakery in America” competition run by Dawn Foods, dethroning Lochel’s Bakery of Hatboro, Pa., which won the competition in 2018 and 2017. After nearly 17 years operating in Vermont, Sweet Crunch recently relocated to New Hampshire. The company operates its business via a food truck, offering cookies, donuts and other baked foods.

“Picking up and moving my bakery last year was not an easy decision, but the outpouring of support I have received from Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts has been incredible,” said Debbie Burritt, owner of Sweet Crunch Bakeshop. “We want to thank our customers for supporting us throughout this contest and making us feel right at home. This recognition is a testament to what you can do when you set your mind to a new venture and shows bakeries of all shapes and sizes that anything is possible.”

Dooher’s Bakery of Campbellford, Ont., was voted the “Sweetest Bakery in Canada” for the second year in a row. The bakery, which focuses on creating and refining family recipes, has served southern Ontario for almost 70 years.

“To be named the Sweetest Bakery in Canada for the second year in a row is an incredible feeling,” said Cory Dooher, owner of Dooher’s Bakery. “As a fourth-generation bakery, we know the support of our local community is key to our success, and we cannot thank everyone enough for voting for us again this year. My grandparents started the bakery 70 years ago with just two little wood burning ovens, and today we have grown to a staff of more than 30 — I know they would be incredibly proud of this recognition and where we are today.”

More than 1,200 bakeries in the United States and Canada participated with people casting votes for the sweetest bakery from July 1 through Sept. 30. More than 1.4 million votes were cast via text and online throughout the contest.

“The entire Dawn Foods family extends a big thank you to all bakeries that participated in our Sweetest Bakery contest this year and congratulates our national winners in the U.S. and Canada as well as our state category winners,” said Dave Rhoades, North America vice-president of marketing for Dawn Foods. “Each and every day, we are inspired by your hard work and commitment to making life’s sweetest moments even sweeter. For nearly a century, it’s been our longstanding commitment to deliver new ways to help grow your business. These contests, which keep bakers top of mind with customers during the voting period, are just one way we deliver.”