Tales from the Darkside: “Baker’s Dozen” (S3E09)
Tales from the Darkside: “Baker’s Dozen” (Season 1, Episode 26) – Sweet Revenge with a Bitter Aftertaste
Beneath its whimsical title and bakery-themed premise, “Baker’s Dozen” delivers a darkly satisfying tale of greed, betrayal, and karmic justice, with a supernatural frosting. It’s one of those classic Tales from the Darkside episodes that feels like an urban legend, complete with a wicked sense of irony and an enjoyably nasty twist.
Plot Summary
The episode begins in a New York bakery run by an elderly woman named Sylvia. She bakes with love, faith, and a little something extra—she’s got a spiritual connection to her family’s old-world, mystical roots. Sylvia’s shop is beloved, especially for her special “baker’s dozen” cookie orders: thirteen treats, each hand-crafted and imbued with her protective charm.
Enter greedy real estate developer Leo Burns, who sees the quaint bakery not as a community staple but as a prime business opportunity. He manipulates Sylvia into selling the shop, promising to keep her recipes and traditions alive. Naturally, once he gets his hands on it, he turns the bakery into a commercial machine, complete with sterile packaging and mass production. Worse, he pushes Sylvia out entirely.
But the magic of Sylvia’s cookies hasn’t disappeared. In fact, it’s taken on a darker flavour. When Leo tries to replicate the sacred “baker’s dozen” without understanding its spiritual weight, the cookies become instruments of supernatural justice. Customers begin to suffer bizarre and grotesque fates—and Leo’s sweet deal turns into a bitter nightmare.
What Works
Classic Morality Play
At its heart, “Baker’s Dozen” is a tale of greed and comeuppance—one of Tales from the Darkside‘s favourite recipes. Leo is a great example of an ’80s villain: slick, cynical, and arrogantly dismissive of anything he can’t monetise. Watching him unravel is immensely satisfying.
Inventive Horror Device
The cookies-as-curse concept is playful but potent. There’s something deliciously creepy about the idea of a dessert turning deadly, and the episode makes great use of it without going full camp. Each cookie, once innocent, becomes a silent agent of doom. It’s body horror meets baked goods, and it works surprisingly well.
Strong Lead Performances
Mabel King (best known for The Wiz) brings warmth and dignity to Sylvia, grounding the episode in heart even as things grow darker. Larry Manetti, as Leo, leans into the sleaze with gusto, giving viewers a villain you love to hate.
What Doesn’t Work
Some Over-the-Top Moments
The episode flirts with camp, especially in the scenes where cursed cookies cause strange afflictions. It’s not always clear whether the tone is meant to be scary, funny, or both. While that ambiguity can be charming, it also occasionally pulls you out of the story.
Rushed Resolution
The climax, while deliciously ironic, feels a bit abrupt. Once Leo realises what’s happening, things spiral quickly without much buildup. A slower unravelling of his downfall might have added more suspense and impact.
Limited Visual Flair
Despite the inherently creepy premise, the episode relies mostly on dialogue and reaction shots. A few stylised sequences showing the curses taking effect could have added a memorable visual punch.
Themes: Cultural Erasure, Greed, and Spiritual Legacy
At its core, “Baker’s Dozen” is about the commodification of tradition. Sylvia’s cookies are more than treats—they’re spiritual offerings rooted in cultural practices. When Leo strips away their meaning for profit, he invites a curse that represents the revenge of a forgotten heritage.
It’s also a sharp critique of gentrification and exploitation, especially relevant in urban settings where mom-and-pop shops are often bulldozed in favour of soulless chains. The bakery here becomes a battleground between community and capitalism, with magic serving as the great equaliser.
Final Thoughts: A Cosy Nightmare with Bite
“Baker’s Dozen” is one of the standout episodes of Tales from the Darkside’s first season—not because it’s terrifying, but because it tells a well-structured story with flair, purpose, and a wicked twist. It’s the kind of tale that could be passed around like an urban legend, a spooky story whispered over dessert.
Who Would Enjoy This Episode?
- Fans of karmic justice and morality tales
- Viewers who enjoy folklore-inspired horror
- Anyone with a sweet tooth for ironic endings
Who Might Not Enjoy It?
- Those expecting fast-paced or high-stakes horror
- Viewers who dislike ambiguous tone (camp vs. creepy)
- Anyone turned off by stylised villains or exaggerated characters
Final Verdict: A Sweetly Spiteful Tale of Just Desserts
“Baker’s Dozen” serves up a satisfying blend of dark humour, spiritual justice, and supernatural retribution. It’s not flashy, but it’s flavorful—and like the best old-school horror stories, it ends with a moral: respect tradition, or face the consequences. And always count your cookies.
