Sweet Art

I’ve always loved sweets. The more chocolate and gooey it was the better I liked it. I can remember that baked goods were a big deal around our house growing up. My sister, Patty made many of our sweet treats. A few of my favorites she made were No-Bake Cookies, Apple crisp, cakes and fudge! About as decorative as they got in the seventies was a thin layer of icing and some sprinkles or basic star shapes with the icing in the tubes you could find at the grocery store. Cupcakes and baked goods in general have come a long way since then.

Mile high icing, swirls of glazes, almonds or pecans sprinkled, caramel drizzled… baked goods are art. It begins with fresh ingredients and knowing how to put them together. Yes, that really matters. Then it is the thoughtful addition of the right spices or herbs to give it that “little something” that you can’t quite put your finger on. It is usually something you would never guess would be added. The toppings can change everything or complement an already exceptional dessert. The care taken to make a dessert beautiful is its presentation and it whets the appetite! The first bite is savored and tastebuds are in heaven as the different flavors are unleashed. Each bite should be enjoyed. Remember life is short, eat dessert first!

Garner’s Goodies – Jessica Garner

706-490-0916

Have you noticed the popularity of cupcakes these days? Not the basic cupcakes in the paper cups that I remember (fondly), rather these delicious little gems look like a total masterpiece. Decorated with billowing frosting shaped like flowers, sugar crystals and edible embellishments. I recently touched base with Jessica Garner of Garner’s Goodies, a home based side hustle for this busy mom of two beautiful little girls. Jessica told me that she has great memories of baking with the women in her family. Always in the kitchen with her mom or grandmothers, when she lost all three of them she felt that baking was a way to keep them alive in her heart. She bakes with her two daughters, making those same memories with them. “My oldest daughter Abigail, who is ten, says she wants to go to culinary school and own a bakery when she grows up. She has already picked out a spot on main street for her bakery, and has already asked me to work for her. My youngest Evelynn, who is almost eight loves to help too. We always talk about my mom and grandmothers, who they never got to meet.” Jessica shared. I must mention that her husband Russell is very supportive of her endeavor and is her main delivery man and head dishwasher!

Garner’s Goodies cupcake flavors include Banana Pudding, Italian Cream, Honey Bun and Expresso. A new flavor added is Peach Bourbon filled with a peach and bourbon puree. It’s one of Jessica’s favorites. These unique flavors join more traditional ones and icing choices are Butter Cream or Cream Cheese. Speaking of cream cheese, Jessica offers 10” New York style cheesecakes with graham cracker crusts decorated as beautifully as her cupcakes (optional). Garner’s Goodies also offers Chocolate Chip sandwich cookies and 10” Chocolate Chip cookie cakes. I would be remiss not to mention homemade Buckeyes by the dozen!

Clayton Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center – Clayton, Georgia

A trip to the Clayton Farmers Market will temp anyone with a sweet tooth. There are slices of the best poundcake you’ll ever taste and delightfully tasty Sourdough Sweet Rolls and fruit breads, cookies, cupcakes and more. All home-baked and ready to take home and enjoy. After a discussion with my friend Dianne VanderHorst (a Laurel lady) who with her husband Brett, sell plants, produce and baked goods at the market on Saturdays I learned that making her breads and rolls is a labor of love. Sourdough begins with a starter and is “worked” all week and Friday is baking day so the items will be fresh for Saturday’s market. The market is open from April 1st to October 28 from 9am – 1pm each Saturday. There are a few dozen reasons to check them out beside the North Georgia Food Bank location in the Covered Bridge Shopping Center in Clayton.

White Birch Provisions

60 East Savannah Street – Clayton, Georgia - 706-782-2263

When shopping downtown you’ll find delectables made fresh daily, fresh brewed coffees, lattes, cappicinoos, in both hot and iced versions and a quiche of the day, some scones and more on the counter at White Birch Provisions located at 33 East Savannah Street. Their Chef, Charlie Million and assistant Brittany Ragsdale create some amazing gourmet quiches, scones, pastries, cookies and brownies and bars. They also offer mini cakes that have been a huge hit, larger than a cupcake and decorated to the hilt and so delicious. One of my favorites is the Almond Bars, seriously they are heavenly! It is good to know that you can pre-order baked goods for your special event, birthdays, anniversaries, even weddings! The store is such a pleasure to visit and offers many hard-to-find gourmet food items to enjoy at home. My favorites are the meals and cookie dough that is frozen for you to pop in the oven when you get home. A visit to White Birch Provisions would not be complete without checking out the Wine Cave! If you want to discuss a large custom order please call and ask for Ivy. She will fix you right up.

L&B Bakery

811 Hwy 441, Clayton, Georgia - 706-982-2713

When I stopped in to L&B Bakery in the Clayton Indoor Flea Market, I talked with Lisa Padgett and Betty Jo Blalock about their bakery. This mom and daughter team are the artists behind this family owned business. There have been some very creative cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls and more come out of this kitchen. One can drop in and pickup a few cinnamon rolls (I just did that) or cookies or you can call ahead and order cakes, or treats for upcoming events. Lisa spends most of her time in the kitchen and has help from her family to keep the wheels turning. She is exceptionally creative in her baking and does a beautiful job decorating them. You almost hate to eat them because they are so pretty. For Easter she will have dipped strawberries in pastel shades, gorgeous Easter cupcakes and cakes. If you need baked goods for celebrations or events, Lisa is happy to help. Her cinnamon rolls are out of this world and come in an assortment of flavors. Do yourself a favor and follow her on Facebook @Lbbakingcompany. They are working to “bake the world a better place!”

Clayton Cafe & Market

48 N. Main Street – Clayton, Georgia - 706-212-2233 | 706-960-9245

Clayton Cafe & Market has made quite a name for themselves with Bonnie Edmonds at the helm. The Cafe has always had wonderful desserts and offered custom orders, but the Market has tasty sweets made fresh daily as well. A step inside is a sensory overload that will tickle your tastebuds for sure. Step around to the right and you’ll see the daily offerings such as cookies, fudge, bars and muffins to accompany their specialty coffees and frothy goodness! There are some tables to enjoy a cup and a sweet treat with a friend or with a good book. A nice stop after a day of shopping downtown or to grab something for home. Clayton Cafe and Market also has make and take options for a quick supper, a day on the boat or that picnic you’ve been planning. Their Market side also offers some gift items and gourmet foods as well. It’s always good to grab a hug from the owner Bonnie Edmonds.

D&M Cake Design - 706-982-5861

A friend and family member, Donna Speed is known for her wedding cakes, but she offers so much more than that. If you have a celebration coming up and you want a sandcastle cake, or a batmobile or anything else you can think of, she can do it. She has amazed me more times than I can count. Her cakes are fantastic and beautiful to boot. She has been baking her cakes for as long as I can remember. She stays current on new techniques and tricks of the trade so that you will receive a work of art. You will second guess cutting it but once you do… you will marvel at how heavenly it is. Not long ago I heard someone say on the show True South, “the food was so good I hated to swallow!” That is true for Donna’s cakes.

You are now equipped with many options to satisfy your sweet tooth. All of them are great choices. I must also mention that Nina’s Milkshake Bar and Pizzeria just opened and from the looks of it, the milkshakes are simply masterpieces! If you have not seen or tasted the cakes that The Rusty Bike Cafe’s baker Karen is creating, you should! Choosing one to share with you was a challenge as they are all magnificent!

Enjoy dessert and don’t worry about the calories!