This Monday, we all have something to look forward to, cupcakes galore at the long-awaited opening of 350 Classic Bakeshop at 30 Elm Place. Picture a sweet shop fantasy with jumbo cupcakes, cupcake pies, cupcakes in a jar and cupcake cones. As if baking in mother’s kitchen, patrons may lick a “frosted spoon” or customize each and every treat.
By Janice Llanes Fabry
This Monday, we all have something to look forward to, cupcakes galore at the long-awaited opening of 350 Classic Bakeshop at 30 Elm Place. Picture a sweet shop fantasy with jumbo cupcakes, cupcake pies, cupcakes in a jar and cupcake cones. As if baking in mother’s kitchen, patrons may lick a “frosted spoon” or customize each and every treat.
“I always wanted to operate a business in the community, where I reside,” said owner and Executive Pastry Chef Keyes Clemmer, who moved to Rye from Massachusetts one year ago. “Rye had everything I was looking for, friendly people, good schools, and high standards. I love the town and the events that happen here.”
In addition to becoming a vital member of the community, it was important for Ms. Clemmer to acquire a balance, so she could spend more time with her children. She and her husband Kori have seven between them, the youngest of whom is a first grader at Midland.
Having worked in the restaurant business on the management end, as well as in the kitchen, for 27 years, most recently at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, the chef has lots of experience. With her own business, she’ll have more flexibility She’s also quite confident that, unencumbered by restrictions, her creative juices will be flow freely.
“I have a lot of ideas and recipes,” she said enthusiastically. “I’ll work with the seasons to use fresh fruit and vegetables. And I’ll bake small batches to ensure quality controlcan also work with small batches, so I can ensure quality control.”
Although cupcakes are the featured attraction, Ms. Clemmer is going back to basics and will be offering good, old-fashioned desserts as well. “The new rage in this country is classic American baking, so we’ll be making ice box cakes, coffee cakes, and traditional American pies and tarts for the holidays,” she said. “We’re offering something completely different from anything in the area.”
With a cupboard of foolproof recipes, a sous chef, and full- and part-time bakers on hand, all Classic Bakeshop cupcakes are hand crafted from scratch, using the highest quality ingredients. Most are baked at 350, hence the name, in her new Vulcan ovens in a sparkling kitchen with vast windows.
“Classic Cupcakes” flavors, available every day year-round, include vanilla, chocolate, velvet, and “Sweet Birthday” topped with chocolate ganache frosting and dusted with birthday sprinkles. The shop’s “350 Signatures” change seasonally and promise to be “treasures of tried-and-true recipes.” This fall look for pumpkin, apple caramel, toffee crunch, and snicker doodle cupcakes.
Offering a twist on popular after-dinner drinks, “After Dinner Dessert Cupcakes” are playtime for the grown-ups. The only thing more decadent than espresso with Bailey’s Irish cream is a “Coffee with Bailey’s” cupcake.
The shop will offer catering and can be rented for everything from birthday celebrations to bridal showers. Decorating and baking classes and camps are available for all ages. 350 Classic Bakeshop also offers an array of cake stands in all sizes, cookie jars, vintage-style aprons, and T-shirts with Ms. Clemmer’s 350 logo.
The cupcakery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., when a special Sunday baking brunch is in the mix.
Log on to www.350classicbakeshop.com for the daily baking and events schedule. Call 967-2379 for special orders or to schedule parties.
