Kriebel’s Bakery Cafe has decorating classes
Since Kriebel’s Custom Bakery added Kriebel’s Bakery Café last year, the possibilities have been sweeter than ever.
Folks are not only stopping in for their custom cakes, bold La Columbe coffee and what are probably the best sticky buns this side of Dutch Country, but now they’re able to nourish their fantasies of decorating a cake like classically trained owner/baker Colleen Kriebel, and having all kinds of fun in the process.
The latest addition to the bakery’s ever-evolving menu are the engaging “Caking With a Twist” classes, which are offered the first Sunday of every month, noted Kriebel.
“I’ve always wanted to be an instructor and then the cake business came about. But since I do have the business I decided to start giving classes on weekends and then it just kept evolving,” Kriebel said. “It started in the back of my kitchen, but since I expanded I created this classroom in the front of my house. It’s like a professional kitchen, but it’s a classroom.”
The classes stir the imaginations of anywhere from six to 24 students with such whimsical themes as Funfetti (next up, on
March 3) and Flowers Galore, coming in April.
“In the first five years here I taught hundreds of people, and now I have this classroom. They have a fun experience and go home with a custom cake that they decorated that they can share with friends and family. I compare it to ‘Painting with a Twist,’ where if you do a painting you have to think about where you’re
going to put the painting. And how many times can you do your own painting?” said Kriebel, who launched the business at the Colonial Center in 2013.
The kids’ birthday parties have been a big, if messy, hit, Kriebel said.
“People are always looking for a new way to have a birthday party, or something fun for their kids to do, or a Girls’ Night Out.’ And now I have this beautiful new space for parties. For the most part, the room is open so customers coming in will see the party going
on and say, ‘Wow, I want my kid’s birthday party here.’ “
Whether it’s cupcakes or the full-size cakes the bakery is known for that are taking center stage in the class, all baking is done by Kriebel.
“Everybody pretty much has their own recipes and baking techniques anyway. But I do give a lot of tips on baking. If they have questions about how I bake the cakes or make the buttercream I tell them,” Kriebel said. “They learn a lot in the class.”
Classes are open to all ages but you must be 21 with valid ID to partake in a B.Y.O.B. class.
Caking With a Twist Decorating Classes are $69.00 per person, and include two hours of instruction, all necessary Italian buttercream and a 6-in cake that feeds six to eight people.
Cupcake decorating classes are $35 per person.
In addition to the monthly public classes, Kriebel books private classes and offers the café space for gatherings, such as the upcoming children’s
party she was preparing for.
“The mom booked it for 10 kids and they’ll have the party room for two hours,” she explained. “I will be here to give guided instruction on how to ice a cupcake and then I’ll give the kids jimmies and they’ll go crazy, making a mess. I’ll clean it up,” Kriebel added, laughing. “They’re welcome to bring snacks and decorations if they want to.”
Naturally, Kriebel’s appearance on the Food Network a few years ago, helping to craft an Addams Family-themed cake with fellow baker Victoria Andreacchio, exudes a huge appeal when it comes to the classes, she said.
“That’s a big draw, that I was on Cake Wars. When they find out that I was on Food Network they say ‘My kids are going to love that.’”