Grain-free Chocolate Chips ·
What’s an unquestionably creative, delicious little bakery doing in an industrial zone on Lake Forest Road outside the main strip of Tahoe City?
The short answer is baker extraordinaire Allison Sayles found the commercial kitchen space to prepare treats for the farmers market more than four years ago. As summer turned to fall in 2010, her loyal fans wondered where they could buy and custom order her delicious sweets after the farmers market season ended, and that client demand is how Sugar Pine Cakery was born.
On a recent warm November morning, close to noon, she’s rolling out a huge piece of dough for cinnamon buns when I ask Sayles what she loves most about her work. She explains, “I like people. I’m super social, and I really love to bake … This is a bit like being a bartender. It’s the best of both worlds – I get to be in the kitchen and in the front of the house.”
“She has so much heart and passion. It really makes you happy to be around her. She is so thankful. No one walks out without hearing Allison say thank you,” adds Kim Savage who works with Sayles
Sample anything from the welcoming pastry case and you’ll quickly discover that it’s much more than the friendly welcome and atmosphere that have earned Sugar Pine Cakery a huge local following. It’s the sweets.
One of the most popular pleasures is Sayles’ grain-free chocolate chip cookie. I dare you to not finish eating one on your short walk out the door; they are that yummy. Other favorites include delectable brownies, Danish pastries, morning buns, croissants plus more cupcake combinations than the average person could dream up (salted caramel icing on a chocolate, Nutella on a vanilla cupcake, coconut cream cheese, chocolate and sea salt on dark chocolate, lemon curd and vanilla buttercream on a lemon cupcake), and the list evolves daily because Sayles never stops creating. Just two weeks ago she baked coco-mint thumbprints – delicious, grain-free morsels of magic with chocolate ganache.
This time of year, Sayles generally begins baking at 4 a.m. Everything is prepared fresh daily, and Sayles is devoted to using organic and local products whenever possible.
Sugar Pine Cakery prepares custom organic cakes, sweets and treats. In addition to sweets, yogurt and fruit cups, fulfilling paninis including turkey, cheddar and bacon, as well as pastrami and Pepper Jack, and delicious quiches including veggie ricotta round out the menu.
The bakery, located at 2923 Lake Forest Road in Tahoe City, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Visit online at sugarpinecakery.com. For custom orders, call (530) 363-3076.
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