Simply Sweet | Spring 2024

As nature awakens and the world around us bursts into life with blossoming flowers and bright sunshine, our passion for creating delicious treats that capture the essence of springtime reignites.

The transition from winter to spring is a time of hope—a reminder that no matter how dark and cold the winter may seem, brighter days are always on the horizon. For us, it’s a time to celebrate resilience and growth, honoring the extraordinary mothers who make our communities shine. Reflected in our spring flavours, we’ve partnered light and refreshing citrus delights with a classic Crave sweet finish.

Whether you're seeking inspiration for a heartfelt gift or simply looking to indulge in a sweet escape, grab a cup of tea, sink into your favorite chair and savour the joys of spring with our Simply Sweet issue.

How to Host the Perfect Mother's Day Brunch

Are you in your hosting era? What better way to celebrate than by curating a brunch fit for a queen, complete with our feature flavour Mimosa.

1. Preparing the Menu

Start by crafting a brunch menu that caters to your mom's tastes and preferences. Consider including a mix of sweet and savory dishes to satisfy everyone's cravings.

2. Setting the Ambiance

Set your table with fresh flowers, elegant tableware, and decorative accents in your mom's favourite colors. Choose soft background music to enhance the mood and consider adding thoughtful touches such as handwritten notes.

3. Personalized Touches

Incorporate personal touches throughout the brunch to make your mom feel extra special. This could include displaying cherished family photos, or preparing a heartfelt speech or toast in her honor.

4. Highlight the Star of the Show

Our feature flavour Mimosa, a vanilla cake with prosecco orange buttercream is the vibrant (and delicious) centerpiece that you need to finish off the menu.

5. Wrapping Up

As the brunch comes to a close, it’s time to shower your mom with appreciation with a small token like a bouquet of flowers and remind her of the special bond you share.

Spring baking offers a wonderful opportunity to savour fresh, seasonal ingredients and bright flavors. Whether you're craving something fruity, floral, or simply delightful, there's no shortage of spring-inspired treats to enjoy.

Our Spring Favourites

Rice Crispie Squares

A much-loved team member classic. Rice Crispie Squares, topped with vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles.

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Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Cookie

chewy cookie

with peanut butter Reese's Pieces, for the perfect crunch.

Key Lime Cake

Three layers of vanilla cake filled with key lime curd and graham crumb, decorated with vanilla buttercream.

Mother's Day Mini Cupcake Pack

Featuring our Craving of the Month, Just Chocolate, Strawberry Vanilla, Red Velvet and limited-edition Mimosa.

Aloha Loaf

Aloha Spring! Celebrate sunnier days with this light and fluffy pineapple and coconut loaf, glazed with pineapple and topped with shredded coconut.

Mother's Day Specialty Pack

Featuring Flower cupcakes, a 'Happy Mother's Day' message cupcake, Red Velvet and our limited-edition flavours - Mimosa and Key Lime.

Vanilla cake with a crunchy graham crust, filled with sweet and sour key lime curd, decorated with vanilla buttercream and sprinkled with graham crumb.

May 1- June 1

OUR QUICK & EASY MUG CAKE RECIPE

Sometimes, a craving for something sweet strikes, and you need a quick fix to satisfy it. That's where our easy mug cake recipe comes in! Whether you're treating yourself after a long day or surprising a loved one with a spontaneous dessert, our mug cake is sure to become your go-to indulgence. So, grab your favorite mug and let's dive into our irresistible mug cake recipe!

Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

featuring Crave Cake Mixalso available in Gluten Free

Recipe developed by Cendra our Director of Retail Operations and Kaitlyn our Customer Account Manager

Make approx. 8 mug cakes per one Crave cake mix bag

YOU WILL NEED:

¼ cup of Crave Chocolate cake mix

4 Tbsp warm water

1 tsp oil

⅛ tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a 10 to 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Mix together until smooth.

2. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 20 seconds.

3. Carefully remove from the microwave and let cool for 5 minutes.

4. Top with a scoop of your favourite Crave Buttercream Frosting and sprinkles.

Where to find Crave Bake at Home

AT YOUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE

We're conveniently located in grocery stores throughout Alberta. Visit our retailers page to find Crave in a store near you!

IN OUR BAKERIES

Find our Bake at Home products in all our bakery locations in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon.

Meet Catherine

Mom to Paige, Printze and Penn and Founder of Penn The Brave.

Catherine is a first-generation Filipino-Canadian and attributes the parent she is today to her courageous mom Lolita. Lolita left the Philippines in the late 70s and worked hard to provide the best opportunities for Catherine and brother Chris growing up. Born and raised in Calgary, Catherine soon met Sheldon while studying at University, gifting her a Crave cake for her 21st birthday. Catherine explains, “I met my mother-in-law Shirley at her 50th surprise birthday party. What Sheldon left out was there would be more than 100 people in attendance! And I had not met any of them!”

Catherine flourished as a mom, welcoming Penn, Paige and Printze into the world. What does she cherish most about motherhood? “Watching my kids grow. Hearing my kids laugh and giggle. When they get to experience something for the first time, you can just see the look of pure joy and awe in their face.”

Between 2021-2022 Catherine and her family experienced heartache and grief while their brave Penn went through various cancer treatments, ultimately losing her life to brain cancer. During her treatment, one of Penn’s favourite things to do was bake. Catherine says, “When Penn was diagnosed with cancer, we loved Crave’s Bake at Home cake mixes. I will always remember she baked me a chocolate cake for my birthday with Crave-o-licious icing. Blue was Penn’s favourite colour.”

While nothing could have prepared the family for what lay ahead for Penn, the continued support and generosity from family, friends and the Calgary community helped ease some of the everyday burdens from food drop offs and toys for Paige and Penn. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone.

“Penn the Brave provides joy (books and ice cream) and hope (research) to pediatric cancer families in the Calgary area. Our main purpose is to bring a smile to a child impacted by cancer while they are undergoing treatment. Books and ice cream always made Penn smile so we hope it can help other families.”

Sheldon

Shirley Catherine

Lolita

Printze Paige

"The days may be long but the years are short. So try to enjoy all the moments your kids give you. You will look back and smile and perhaps have a big chuckle!"

Amidst the challenges of their journey, one thing remains constant for the family— their unwavering love for each other and the cherished moments they share with Paige and Printze. When they’re not dancing in the kitchen while dinner is being made, Paige is showing everyone who’s boss at UNO, while Printze is gearing up to start his journey on the bike.

The biggest thing Catherine has learnt from her children? “Love, hope, patience. To live life to the fullest. To try something new and to give it your all.” We’re sending a very Happy Mother’s Day to Catherine, Lolita and Shirley (courageous mothers to Catherine and Sheldon) and to all the other mothers and grandmothers who make everything sweeter.

Stay tuned for a sweet collaboration coming soon. In the meantime, May is Brain Cancer Awareness month. To donate to brain cancer research, new technologies and treatment please visit braincancercanada.com. For the latest updates please visit @PenntheBraveyyc on Instagram or visit their website at pennthebrave.org.

Crave Brand Story

This was a longshot valentine, a work anniversary, one day late. This was a first-place dance recital, and a double-overtime loss.

This was her 99th birthday, and her 100th. This showed up after we closed the deal. This was a wedding where it rained and rained.

This was a sweet treat to brighten your day.

And this was just because sometimes it’s important to simply treat yourself. For these, and countless other reasons, we bake with love together.

we bake togetherness