**Sugardaddy’s **
Sumptuous Sweeties
Multiple locations
(614) 888-4491
www.sugardaddys.com

Sugardaddy’s owners Mark Ballard and Tom Finney didn’t just get lucky with their innovative business model. What seems to be an effortlessly run bakery is really the product of three years of grueling research, experimentation and planning. Launched in early 2005, the company originally started as an online gift store, expanding to physical locations as demand grew.

The owners got their start when Finney (the master baker) came up with an amazing brownie recipe. Ballard stepped in as marketing and branding guru and the two put their heads together to create Sugardaddy’s. After adding new brownie flavors to their lineup, they decided to include the often-overlooked blondie. A unique hand-cut, round shape was developed to produce “The Edgeless Brownie,” which creates the perfect soft texture in every bite.

Each of the 20 different flavors (16 of which are available daily) is hand-crafted from the inside out to highlight the unique flavors with exquisite style.

A small sampling of flavors includes the Auburn Original, American Beauty, Caramel, Drunken Chunky (a bestseller), Nutty, Fiery, Cherry Almond and the Tahiti. Also out for fall is the not-to-be missed pumpkin pie flavored Harvest Blondie. All of these amazing varieties and more are baked fresh every morning. The bakery’s fame reaches far beyond Columbus. Sugardaddy’s was declared the winner on Throwdown with Bobby Flay (which aired on Food Network in October), was selected to serve green room amenities on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, named “Best of the Best” brownies and blondies by Food Network, and is recommended by a staggering number of online sources and print magazines. Although brownies and blondies steal the show, they aren’t the only options. The brownie cheesecake, with crust available in every brownie flavor, is to die for. Brownie and Blondie Biscotti inspires die-hard fans, and for patrons who are all about those chewy edges, the cut-away brownie bits are served up as scrumptious ‘Pocket Change.’ Need over-the-top decadence? Pick up some brownie truffles. Multiple taste tests are encouraged.

The Suisse Shop
2119 Polaris Pkwy.
(614) 846-5102
www.thesuisseshop.com

While the trendy little sister of cake – the cupcake – has been hogging the spotlight of C-bus sweets in recent years, the traditional full-sized delicacy is still being mastered locally at the Suisse Shop. Pronounced “Swiss” Shop, for those who aren’t yet familiar, this cozy family-owned-and-operated European bakery on Polaris Parkway has been producing some of Central Ohio’s finest cakes and pastries since 1983. Originally a wholesale bakery supplying to Lazarus and various other outlets, the bakery changed hands from a German couple to an Italian family (the Scalis, a name synonymous with Italian cuisine in Columbus) before finally landing in the capable hands of Darlene Jones. Working with the best recipes that each of the different European owners contributed and adding recipes from her own kitchen, Jones has compiled an unparalleled arsenal of indulgences. Unless you’ve had the pleasure of sampling something from the Suisse Shop, you’ve probably never had anything quite like these treats before.

When it comes to cake, their signature offering and bestseller is the Suisse Almond torte, composed of a dense almond cake and seedless red raspberry preserves. The Midnight Dream lives up to its name with chocolate cake and a chocolate soufflé filling, all covered in ganache. Jones’ culinary genius comes to life in the Zebra torte, which features layers of chocolate Genoise sponge cake, coffee, buttercream, ganache and almonds (it’s also the personal all-time-favorite cake of yours truly). The Italian Cassata (made with real sliced strawberries and not the typical strawberry jam filling of most store-bought Cassatas) is a summer crowd pleaser, and maple cakes are gaining popularity in these colder months.

Not to be ignored are the shop’s other amazing specialties – cupcakes, cookies, bar cakes, a huge selection of sinfully delicious cheesecakes, coffee cakes, rolls, woven breads (including Brioche during the holidays), muffins, croissants, scones and more. Jones believes in using only the best ingredients, importing many items from all over the world so that each treat delivers complex flavors that can only be achieved by holding quality above all else. Her motto? “If you’re going to have the calories, you might as well make it worth your time.”

Pattycake Bakery
3009 N High St.
(614) 784-2253
www.pattycakeveganbakery.com

If you don’t think ‘amazing’ and ‘delicious’ when you think ‘vegan’ you probably haven’t tasted the goods from Pattycake Bakery. It all started when Jennie Scheinbach came up with a Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven cookie that turned dinners and potlucks on their ears. Next came other traditional veganized favorites: chocolate cupcakes, blueberry muffins, a “Tollhouse cookie,” sticky-buns (an extremely popular treat that will be offered as take-and-bake for the upcoming holidays), and even a raw cheesecake. It’s not really a cheesecake (it’s made of fruit and nuts), but a decadent treat nonetheless and one that is actually good for you.

Scheinbach’s creations eventually found their way to the Clintonville Community Market, and as business grew, into their own storefront. So why vegan?

“It was just the right thing to do,” she laughed. “It’s about the compassion for other beings. We want to be compassionate and take care of each other.” The eco-friendly standards of Pattycake’s operation are part of its charm as well. Pattycake is committed to being as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. The treats are typically delivered by a bike cart (painted hot pink), packaged in recycled 100-percent biodegradable materials and packed in recycled beer boxes from the local co-op. They buy from and support other local businesses, and everything is recycled in an attempt to produce as little waste as possible. This winter, shake up your traditional lineup with seasonal goodies from Pattycake; upcoming specialties include pumpkin and squash pies, apple pies, holiday ‘Solstice’ cookies and even pop-tarts. If you can’t make it to the bakery, you can find Pattycake Bakery just about anywhere in Columbus. Pick up the vegan sweets at the Clintonville Community Market, Raisin Rack, Weiland’s, Bexley Natural Market, Bexley Coffee Shop, Cafe Apropos, Crimson Cup Coffeehouse, Kafé Kerouac, all Cup ’O Joe/Mojoe Lounge/Stauf’s locations, The Hills Market, Impero Coffee House and Giant Eagle Market District.

Cherbourg Bakery
541 S Drexel Ave., Bexley
www.cherbourgbakery.com

It’s hard to imagine a finer morning than one spent in a quaint little bakery in the French countryside, leisurely sipping coffee, chatting and enjoying a streusel cake bursting with fresh blueberries.

Columbusites need imagine no more. Cherbourg Bakery serves up the taste of France in nearby Bexley. A fairly new addition to the city, Cherbourg opened its charming doors last January. This is the first storefront for Cherbourg, whose baked goods many fans will recognize from the bakery case at Raisin Rack natural food market in Westerville.

Cherbourg boasts a plethora of scrumptious sweets: brownies, cupcakes, Madelines, cream puffs, cookies, cheesecakes, coffee cakes and muffins ... not to mention the lemon bars. One bite of those lemon bars and there’s no doubt as to why they’re the bakery’s most popular treat. Cherbourg places an emphasis on sourcing quality local ingredients, and all the goods are baked fresh daily.

Unique taste and intricate care goes into each bite, but the secondary draw is that every morsel offered by Cherbourg is gluten-free and nut-free. While it’s true that there is sometimes a stigma associated with gluten-free baked goods – that they’re dry, lacking in flavor, or just plain taste like crap – such misconceptions are defied at Cherbourg, where the owners take pride in shattering the notions of what treats taste like without wheat, barley or rye.

Cherbourg started when owner Geri Peacock took matters into her own hands after being diagnosed as gluten-intolerant. Not wanting to just ‘learn to like’ traditional gluten-free sweets, she started working on an oatmeal-based chocolate chip cookie. Four years later, all her hard work has culminated in an array of locally acclaimed baked goods.

The next time you’re in the mood for something sweet (whether you’re gluten-intolerant or not), swing by this inviting French bakery and prepare to have your tastes and horizons expanded.

Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees
897 S Third St.
www.winanscolumbus.com

Columbusites need no longer fear tiredness or depression. Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees has arrived on the scene to awaken and delight the masses. Native to the Dayton area (the company was founded in Piqua, where their headquarters remains) and passed down through four generations, Winans has finally brought their gift for confections to the capital city with their new storefront in German Village.

Not much has changed over the years in terms of preparation for the local confectionery company, which started out as a simple chocolate shop and later added gourmet coffees from around the world. Today, you can find not only some of the finest and freshest chocolates (single-sourced and organic fair trade), but also a tempting selection of cakes and cookies. The cozy new spot on the corner of Whittier and Third Street, which opened in July, offers free wireless internet and plenty of space to savor some sugar and caffeine.

For chocolate connoisseurs, this shop makes dreams come true – you name it, and they mix it, mold it, cover it, or pour it. From the traditional Ohio buckeye, to cordials, caramels, truffles and ‘wurtles,’ Winans has every palate covered. The vast array of bonbons is complemented by gourmet coffee, espresso, latte and mocha concoctions. The beans themselves (which will also be sold in-store) come from all over the world and are roasted at their Piqua headquarters. Special pairings of coffees and chocolates will highlight the finer flavor points of each delicacy. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and specials on Facebook and Twitter. Whether you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up or satisfaction for an after-work craving, Winans has your fix.