Carli Clesmere 
In recent years, trendy coffee shops have become prevalent, offering oversized croissants and specialty lattes flavored with everything from lavender to cookie butter. While these spots have their appeal, there remains something special about a traditional bakery: rows of cookies in glass cases, hot coffee brewing in the back, and fresh loaves of bread ready for customers. These places stir up memories of after-school visits or grabbing bread with grandparents for Sunday sauce. Cliffside Park is home to one such place: Miller’s Bakery, at 716 Anderson Avenue, which has served fresh bread, cakes, cookies, and sweet treats for generations. Read on for the story behind Miller’s Bakery, a cherished neighborhood spot in Cliffside Park.
How Miller’s Bakery Came to Be
The history of Miller’s Bakery goes back more than a century, beginning with Otto Hänel Müller, who was born in New York City in 1890. Although born in the U.S., his family soon returned to Germany, where he spent most of his childhood. It was there, in his family’s shop, that he learned the art of baking and mastered recipes that continue to be part of Miller’s holiday traditions today.
After returning to New York, Otto worked as a baker before serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, where he rose to the rank of sergeant and changed the family name to Miller. In 1947, Otto opened Miller’s Bakery at 716 Anderson Avenue in Cliffside Park. His sons later joined the business full-time in the 1980s, carrying the legacy forward, finding new ways to serve the community while preserving the traditions of a family-run shop.
Read More: 15 of the Oldest Businesses in Bergen County
In 1995, the Miller brothers opened a second bakery in Tenafly, but their culinary adventure didn’t end there. In 2016, the family expanded once again by purchasing Vito’s Bakery in Secaucus — an Italian deli known for its fresh mozzarella, focaccia, stuffed breads, sandwiches, and more. Since then, Miller’s has folded those savory favorites into its offerings, giving customers sweet treats, incredible breads and deli classics.
From grandfather to sons and now to the grandkids running the show, one thing has never changed: Miller’s Bakery continues to bake with love, tradition, + just the right amount of sugar.
Miller’s Bakery Today: An Exclusive Chat with Mark Miller
In a recent conversation with Mark Miller, grandson of founder Otto, he shared how Miller’s has grown while staying true to its roots. One of the biggest shifts has been in the cake department — what used to be simple celebratory cakes have now grown into extravagant creations for weddings, milestone birthdays, and large events. “Ever since Cake Boss came out on TV, everyone wants the biggest, wildest cake they can dream up,” Mark explained, noting that Miller’s has embraced the challenge of creating these show-stopping desserts.
While Mark and his brother run the day-to-day today, their mom is also an important part of the creative process. She wasn’t involved much in the early years, but once her sons were born, she found herself pulled into the bakery life — coming up with bold, out-of-the-box cake concepts that continue to wow customers.
Mark also made sure to shout out one of their bakers, Emily, whose creativity keeps Miller’s on the rise. A self-proclaimed TikTok enthusiast, Emily is always discovering new flavor trends to bring back to the bakery. The viral Dubai chocolate craze inspired one of her recent experiments, and according to Mark, locals can’t seem to get enough of it.
Favorites from the Menu (and from us)
Carli from the BG team has been visiting Miller’s Bakery with her family for as long as she can remember — even her dad has been picking up cookies for special occasions since the 1990s. Over the years, the pecan Bavarian ring and an assorted box of cookies have become family favorites, and it’s no surprise that they are also among Miller’s most popular items. Other best-sellers include their cheese danishes, crumb cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and strawberry cheesecake. When asked about his own favorites, Mark Miller admitted it’s hard to choose, but he always leans toward the classics like cheesecake and cannolis.
BG insider tip: The bakers also make sugar-free pies upon request. For customers who avoid sugar, this option is major as it allows them to enjoy the bakery’s treats without compromising their dietary needs (and BTW the sugar-free options are just as tasty).
Sweet Little Extras
Team BG made sure to ask Mark during the interview if Miller’s Bakery had any interesting stories. He mentioned that baking a cake for Tracy Morgan, the well-known comedian and actor, was a highlight. Another highlight he mentioned was serving Anne E. Thompson, New Jersey’s first female and African American federal judge, making these orders special in the bakery’s history. We could have stayed and chatted with Mark all day about the bakery’s history and the endless lineup of delicious bites they serve. Whether planning a celebration or simply indulging in a sweet treat, Miller’s Bakery remains a go-to spot for Bergen County locals.
See More: Where to Get Fresh Bread in the Montclair Area
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