Dulceology Bakery to close after 6 years in Federal Hill

It’s a bittersweet ending for Dulceology Bakery in Federal Hill.

The team behind the Salvadoran cake and pastry shop at 1138 S. Charles St. announced Thursday on Instagram that they will close this month after six years in business. The rose-colored storefront is known for its soft and crumbly alfajores, a popular South American cookie held together by a layer of dulce de leche. The bakery’s last day will be May 17.

Its owners, sisters Nicole and Alejandra Leiva, cited new opportunities as the reason for the closure. Nicole Leiva is relocating to Southern California to work as a pastry chef for Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and will no longer have time to oversee production at the shop.

“Leading from afar has made it increasingly difficult to continue cultivating the level of intention, creativity, and care that has always defined our work,” the team wrote on social media.

The sisters developed a following through their rotating lineup of cronut flavors, from pistachio cream to churro and chocolate glaze. They also earned recognition for their customizable cakes. Nicole Leiva told CBS News in 2024 that she and her sister grew up baking their own birthday cakes and cookies alongside their mother.

The Leiva family moved to the United States from El Salvador after a 2001 earthquake, according to Dulceology’s website. After immigrating, they struggled to find traditional Latin-inspired pastries that reminded them of home, so the sisters began baking their own.

In 2013, the pair opened an Etsy shop to sell their Salvadoran confections online. The alfajores helped the sisters support themselves through college, the website said.

Nicole and Alejandra Leiva sold their desserts online for several years before finding their Federal Hill shop in 2020. Their appreciation for Latin flavors inspired every dessert at Dulceology, including the eatery’s gluten-free and vegan options. Most of their customers had never heard of alfajores. “It was fun explaining what it was and the tradition,” Nicole Leiva said. She also started baking doughnuts in an effort to appeal to a larger audience.

Customers will still be able to order the sisters’ alfajores online since the desserts ship nationwide, the business noted in the Thursday social media post.

The owners thanked Baltimore for six years in business in their announcement: “Perhaps one day, in a new place, on new soil, maybe a new name, another chapter will arise. Until then, we look ahead with hope and excitement for all that is still to come.”