Giving the gift of made-from-scratch treats doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your free time this holiday season in the kitchen. If you don’t already know about this local baker, I would like to introduce you to The Cake Box in Ridgefield.
Opened in 2010, The Cake Box is a dream-turned-reality for owners Jordan and Bob. Always a great baker, Jordan went to pastry school and started baking cakes for friends, just for fun, out of her house. Then while watching an episode of Ace of Cakes, Jordan commented that she’d love to have a bakery of her own one day. Needless to say that they decided to take the plunge and haven’t looked back.
All I can say is that I may not be a “cake person,” but I do love The Cake Box. I will neither confirm nor deny that I single-handedly ate the handful of leftover mini cupcakes from my birthday. I’m not just saying that because Bob is a mountain biking friend of Renato. Seriously. After the first bite, I knew I wanted to include them in my 2014 gift guide.
So let’s start with the cupcakes and cakes. The top seller and my personal favorite is the Sweet + Salty. It’s a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream icing, housemade caramel, and a pinch of French sea salt. You can also get the Sweet + Salty with a chocolate cupcake instead of vanilla.
Another flavor that gets my thumbs up is the Chocolate Praline Pecan, a chocolate cupcake topped with praline buttercream. It’s so good! I love the combination of the slightly nutty, fluffy buttercream paired with the deep chocolate cupcake.
For a more seasonal taste, there’s Ginger Spice, Candy Cane Crush, and Mint Old School. You can get any of their regular flavors decorated with holiday sprinkles or holly leaves too. And all flavors can be made in cake, cupcake, or even mini cupcake form.
How about cookies? They’ve got ’em. I highly recommend the chunky chocolate chip. They also have these amazing chewy Italian Macaroons that come in a slew of flavors. However, let me tell you about the “Crackeroon.” Imagine peanut butter, chocolate ganache, and caramel sandwiched between two chocolate Italian Macaroons. Yeah, these are outrageous. They are indeed like crack – completely addictive. I say give these as a gift and the recipient will be putty in your hands. And, in case you are wondering, the traditional French macaroon is coming soon.
Instead of cookies and cupcakes, why not surprise the family with breakfast? The Cake Box has Christmas Morning Breakfast Boxes filled with assorted made-from-scratch pastries including scones, muffins, and cinnamon buns.
In addition to all these treats, The Cake Box also offers baking and cake decorating classes for both children and adults. Stay tuned to their website and Facebook page for all the details. If you have a budding pastry chef on your list, a gift certificate for a class would be a fun gift.
The awesomeness of handmade sweets is as easy as a phone call or visit to The Cake Box. Now that’s a sweet gift for everyone. The deadline to place your holiday order is Friday, Dec. 19th. So you better get on it.
The Cake Box
1 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield
203-438-2558
http://www.thecakeboxofct.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cake-Box/125030264192908
You can also check out their sister store Swoon – a gluten free, nut free bakery in Ridgefield.
If you are ever in the area you have to try those Crackeroons. They are definitely amazing.
Oh man, I wish I lived closer to Ridgefield. The Chocolate Praline Pecan and "Crackeroon" look and sound amazingly delicious!