A cup of tea and cookie, cupcake or scone can chase the blues away. And so many options, from gluten free to vegan, spice up the health factor. Whether it’s an upcoming holiday, graduation, birthday or special occasion, you can order this online or for pick-up. Don’t forget your local grocers, such as Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s and Publix, each known for their outstanding baked goods as well as Frida’s Café.
ISLAND TREAURES GOURMET RUM CAKE
CEO Ken Craig’s rum cake can be seen on QVC and in big box stores under different labels, but his Island Treasures Gourmet line of desserts got its start in Virginia and is now a Gulf Beach resident’s dream entrepreneur business. “I’m living in Paradise,” says Craig, who can be found kayaking and boating when he’s not testing out rum cake recipes on his neighbors. You can buy them small (for four) or large 32 ounce in festive flavors such as vanilla, coconut, cinnamon pecan streusel, chocolate, banana, raspberry, lemon, lemon coconut, chocolate chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip; some flavors are seasonal. ken@cassandragourmet.com
SWAH-REY – A DESSERT BAR
DTSP’s ultimate cupcake shop has expanded into hand-made desserts like Cakes by the Slice, Mini 1 bite-cakes, Pies In-a-Glass and the ever-popular mini-cupcake extravaganza. With two Central Ave. locations, and daily seasonal flavors a-changing, ponder blackout, blueberry cobbler, Boston cream, carrot, cherry, chocolate peanut butter cup, chocolate peppermint, chocolate salted caramel, cinnamon bun, coconut, cookie dough, cookies & cream, funfetti, gingerbread, pancakes ‘n bacon, pecan pie, red velvet, sugar cookie, zesty lemon and more. Buy a gift card! www.swah-rey.com
WANDERING WHISK BAKESHOP
Call ahead to order these delightful desserts from modern, colorful buttercream cakes & custom-made macarons, cookie sandwiches and cupcakes. Jennifer Jacobs is innovative, her whimsical creations both tasty and magical; her recent pop-up featured retro concoctions, including dunkaroos and oatmeal cream pies. Jennifer Jacobs is a self-taught cake designer with a former career in the entertainment industry. After operating Wandering Whisk out of her home for over 4 years, her dream has come true to open her first brick & mortar bakeshop. Jen was a competitor on Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship: Christmas in July’ in 2019. She is the 2015 & 2016 People’s Choice winner of the Morean Arts Center ‘Great St. Pete Cupcake Competition.’ Jen has been featured in Cherry Bombe Magazine, The Tampa Bay Times, The Penny Hoarder, The Kitchn, Best Friends for Frosting, Martha Stewart & in several national wedding publications. You can catch her doing baking segments on various local morning shows – Great Day Live & Daytime. She has sharpened her pastry skills through courses at the San Francisco Baking Institute & Le Cordon Bleu Paris. hello@wanderingwhiskbakeshop.com
VALHALLA BAKERY
Recently reopened at 2462 Central Ave., this Orlando transplant’s vegan delights include fritters, scones, cupcakes, coffeecakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls and breakfast savories and were loved in their Baum Market location near Intermezzo.