Forever Sweet Bakery Opens in Norwalk

Forever Sweet Bakery opened last week in the small mini-mall across from the Subaru dealership on New Canaan Avenue in Norwalk and CTbites paid a visit.

We visited after lunch on opening day and the success of the store preceded our arrival since the remaining inventory consisted of a few “Red Velvet” and a single chocolate cupcake. We decided on the Red Velvet and it was quite tasty. The cake was moist and they kept the sugar in the cake to a minimum. The icing was sweet and delicious and added great flavor.

The size of the cupcakes at Forever Sweet is also manageable, not the mega-cupcakes that have become the standard. Priced at $2.75 each, these are the perfect size and price for a kid’s party.

The Cake Pops start with a sphere of cake that are dipped in a hard shell and topped with some sparkles, priced at $2.75 each or $24.00 for a dozen. The Cupcake in a Jar is an 8-ounce mason jar filled with various layers of cake and priced $5.95 each.

With a following from its recent appearances at the Stamford Mall and current sales at local fooderies, Forever Sweets is a place to purchase some very tasty and creative cupcake inspired desserts.

Forever Sweet Bakery - 4 New Canaan Ave, Norwalk, CT - 203.939.9600

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Sweet & Simple Bakery Opens @ Fairfield’s Greenfield Hill

Michelle Jaffee is up and in her new home away from home at 75 Hillside Road long before the sun comes up. There, she’s busily getting ready for the day ahead creating delightful treats for her wholesale clients as well as the for her new SWEET & SIMPLE BAKERY. You may have seen her brand at your local retail grocer, but now Michelle has a storefront of her own, and her selection of cookies, brownies and cakes, which are available on a rotating basis, is growing daily. 

Cookies include, but are not limited to, chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, sugar, almond butter and thumbprints. If you’re looking for a cake for a Birthday or other special occasion, Michelle offers golden yellow, chocolate, coconut, banana, carrot, lemon, Red Velvet and strawberry shortcakes, as well as a wide selection of homemade frostings, ganaches and fillings. 

Sweet & Simple isn’t just your neighborhood cookie and brownie bake shop. They are continually adding items to their menu and now offer dinner rolls, and challah.

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The CakeBox Opens "Swoon" Gluten Free Bakery in Ridgefield

The Cake Box Expands and Relocates, Swoon Takes Over:  Gluten free gourmet treats and cupcakes to live for...

As a mother of a child who has Celiac disease and cannot eat any gluten or wheat, I’ve struggled with finding cakes and desserts that actually taste like the real thing. I’ve found some good options at local markets but need an occasional splurge for a special event or party, or just because. Thankfully, there is good news if you’re in Fairfield County: a new gluten-free, nut-free bakery has opened. Soon after Cake Box of Ridgefield moved to its larger location, the same team opened Swoon.

Cake Box owners Robert Byrnes and Jordan Gregory, whose bakery is known for its variety of gourmet cupcake flavors and custom cakes, decided to open a gluten-free and nut-free bakery when Cake Box outgrew their Copp’s Hill Marketplace location. They explain, “We have been making gluten-free treats for customers that requested them. Now that we have a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free location, and can offer our customers the highest guarantee of no cross-contamination with other ingredients that may be problematic for them.  Which means they can relax and enjoy a cupcake like everyone else!”

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Knipschildt & Red Bee: Chocolate & Honey Tasting Event

Fritz Knipschildt of House of Knipschildt/Chocopologie and Marina Marchese of Red Bee Honey are teaming up for a very unique evening of tasting and pairings. Marina and Fritz will present tasting flights partnering Artisan Chocolate & Single-Origin Honey at Chocopologie's SoNo location. Sweet! This event includes hors d’oeuvres & Cava, in addition to the tasting flights seen below. 

Tasting Flights Include:

• Farmhouse Honeycomb Enrobed in 96% Dark Chocolate
• Orange Blossom Honey Drizzled Over Cocoa Nib Brittle
• Buckwheat Honey Ganache Truffles 
• Red Currant Honey Drizzled Over a Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn Bonbon
• Goldenrod Honey and 71% Ecuadorian Single Bean Dark Chocolate Fondue 
• Creamed Honey Spread Over Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread

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8 To The Bar Snack Bars: Raising the "Bar" in CT

Finally, A healthy nutty snack that is doesn’t taste overpoweringly of high fructose corn syrup! I’m talking about the new 8 To The Bar snack bar that a pair of Connecticut cousins have recently brought to Fairfield county markets.

Made of a medley of eight different organic nuts, oats, dried fruit, honey and coconut, the bar has a great taste and texture. I particularly love the sour cherries that give the snack a tanginess, which, married with the sesame and coconut and the crunchiness of the nuts, translates to a taste that is deliciously more-ish.

The bar hits the mark for post exercise recharging. I tried my first bar after a five-mile run and found it both satisfying and energizing (not to mention delicious) – a fact that local fitness studios have cottoned on to. The bars are now available at Joyride, Kaia Yoga and the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport.

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Top Spots for Chocolate in Connecticut [updated]

For the traditional Valentines Day present, it's nearly impossible to beat the universal appeal of chocolate. And for those of us who could care less about the Hallmark holiday, consider this a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth. So without further ado, here is a short list of places across Connecticut to satisfy that craving and maybe score a few points with your sweetheart. A word to the wise: when buying chocolate, you'll want to stop in a few days before the holiday to strike the best balance between freshness and selection. And please comment below and share any favorite chocolate or sweet spots that we missed! [Originally posted in 2012, this has been updated for 2013].

Bridgewater Chocolate
What: Huge variety of chocolates, bars, cookies, toffee, etc.
Where: 559 Federal Road, Brookfield 

Chocolate Lab at eleven14 Kitchen
What: Chocolate shop and café located inside the JHouse hotel 
Where: 1114 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich

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Kids Review: Greenleaf Organic Bakery & Café in Wilton

This article first ran on Sunday Diners, a kid's guide to the best diners and breakfast joints in Fairfield County, Connecticut and beyond. Written by 4th Grader Alex (with a bit of help from his dad). 

Usually, at this time of the year, many people make resolutions to eat healthier or not eat junk food all of the time.  One of the ways that you can do this is by eating more organic foods which are healthier for you.  Today, we went to Greenleaf Organic Bakery and Café, in Wilton, where everything is organic, fresh and TASTY!

The first thing I noticed when I walked in were the displays of amazing pastries, croissants, cupcakes, tarts and the BIGGEST chocolate chip cookies I have ever seen.  The second thing you notice, is how good it smells! The walls are decorated with photos of food and fruit, and it is a good place for kids and adults too.

I looked at the menu before we left the house and already knew what I wanted — The Fruit Explosion  - Fresh organic cream, layered with organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, yogurt, granola, all topped off with chocolate hazelnut spread.  It was beyond good and… healthy at the same time.  It was also BIG!  Do you know what else was BIG? The Organic Hot Chocolate – which is made with real melted organic chocolate and whipped cream – it was GIANT!  Bigger than our cereal bowls at home – now that’s BIG!

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GIVEAWAY: Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's "Tasting" Fundraiser

CTbites is giving away a pair of tickets to The Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lovers Event. Post your favorite local dessert below by Feb 5th to be entered to WIN!

The Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's 'Tasting' Evening to benefit The Shelter for the Homeless is back! On Thursday, February 7th, over 50 vendors will be serving up an evening of glorious culinary indulgence in the form of decadent chocolates, confections, and mouthwatering baked good, all washed down with fine wines, beer and specialty beverages. Here's the real bonus…You can enjoy your nibbles from favorite shops like Aux Delices, DiMare Pastry Shop & Cafe, and  Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Cupcakes, knowing that 100% of every ticket sold supports the Shelter for the Homeless programs. Check out the complete list of vendors below and we'll see you there!

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Pinkberry Opens in Downtown Westport

Attention Pinkberry fans: This frozen yogurt mecca has a new location in Westport, and it is officially open for business. Head on over to 111 Post Road East in Downtown Westport for your next fro-yo fix. 

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February Baking Classes at Scratch Baking in Milford

On the heels of a sold-out January class schedule, Scratch Baking in Milford has expanded their class offerings for February to include Croissant 101, Artisan Breads I & II, Treats for your Sweet, Valentine's Day, Breakfast Pizza & Quiche Basics. To reserve your spot, call 203.301.4396 or email Scratch.

Croissant 101
OFFERED:  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH &
REOFFERRED FEBRUARY 26TH from 6-9PM
Croissants are one of the most awarding pastries to make. Learn the in’s and out’s of croissant making in this three-hour class. We will demonstrate how to mix croissant dough and laminate croissant dough and then for the best part, hands-on croissant making. You will learn how to make croissants, pain au chocolat and the very popular monkey bread. Don’t worry, you will be getting a goody bag with these pastries for tomorrow’s breakfast.. that is if you can wait that long!

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