It was a dessert lovers playground and a chocoholics dream. We give you Dayton’s first ever “Sweet Treats Festival.” Held at The Commander Aero Building in Springboro on Sunday January 27th, the event drew a nice crowd on this winter afternoon. There were confectioners, bakers, chefs and restaurateurs. In fact over 30 vendors participated in the Sweet Treats Festival. Every vendor booth had samples set out of various “sweet treat” specialties. Festival goers could browse each display and sample to their heart’s content. What a surprise, the “foodies in their forties,” The Food Adventures Crew tasted treats from each and every booth. A few days later, the Food Adventurers are out of their sugar comas and here with a recap of the day’s festivities!
You know the old saying “Like a kid in a candy store?” Well, here you had us BIG kids in a sweets festival which is a dangerous combination. Sponsored in part by Dayton Most Metro, the festival featured some amazing displays that would have impressed Willy Wonka.
Each vendor booth was set up in a circular setting to allow easy flow of the hungry crowd. There were some many sweets and such talented people. Below are the festival vendors and our impressions of each company.
- 3 Leees Cupcakery – Incredible tasting desserts. Some choices were vegan and gluten free. Some of the best tasting cupcakes we tried.
- Aim To Please Home Cooking – Specializing in various unique flavors of delicious rock candy and more.
- Amy Cakes & Cookies– Some of the tastiest “cake pops” you will have and delicious cupcakes.
- Baked – The friendly staff served up some very complex cupcake flavors that blew us away.
- Cake, Hope & Love – Wonderful “chocolate mustaches” were a hit with the kids. We loved the gorgeous cupcake display with beautiful toppings.
- Cheryl & Co. – Turning sugar cookies into works of art. The staff could not have been nicer.
- Dee Dee’s Gourmet Peanut Brittle – Generous samples of delicious peanut brittle that seemed to melt in your mouth
- Edible Arrangments – About as healthy as you can get at this festival. The chocolate covered apples were a nice twist.
- ele Cake Co – A Dayton Icon whose chocolate covered cake bites are a perfect gift to get your Valentine drooling.
- Homemade by Heather– Amazing mini-pies, made just for this festival. Full sizes on sale for full blown taste!
- JuneBug’s Cupcakes– Icing decor on these cupcakes were matched by a rich tasting cake.
- Kilwins – Located at the Greene, this vendor had a huge variety of top notch items including hand dipped caramel/chocolate apples.
- Kinders Cupcakes – Not only did they have fantastic cupcakes, but their two display cakes were the most gorgeous in the house.
- LongHorn Steakhouse– Local kitchen chefs have kicked up this restaurant. They Key Lime cheesecake, apple strudel and chocolate brownies were homemade and not “chain” like.
- Maria’s Buckeyes– The richest buckeyes ever. Good eats, nice owner !
- Moore Dessert Please – Local celebs from “Cupcake Wars” didn’t dissapoint with some mouthwatering cupcake treat.
- Over The Top Productions– Arguably the best display of the event. The decor was unique as they specialize in weddings and party events.
- Sweet By Kristy– Cupcakes with ice cream in the middle. Genius! One of the most popular items at the event and created a lot of buzz like birthday cake and ice cream all in one.
- Sweet Eats Bake Shop – Intricately topped cupcakes led to creamy tastes across the board with this baker!
- Sweet Nothings– Hands down, the best toffee we have ever eaten. All flavors of the sea salt toffee are addicting!
- The Rustic Loaf & Patisserie– From the chocolate crunch cake pops, to the cupcakes that looked like royalty. These bites were eye pleasers and mouth pleasers!
- Signature Confections– What can you say about chocolate that sometimes takes 3 days to make? Unique flavors such as Crown Royal, Khalua, Raspberry Guiness, Chai Tea, and Earl Grey Tea. The painted pieces of chocolate belong in an art museum if they weren’t so tasty.
- Two Bears Chocolates – They featured homemade caramels dipped in Boston Stoker’s Highlander Grogg Coffee. the Big Ragu said it was the best flavored caramel he has ever eaten. We loved the local twist on taste!
- Winans Fine Chocolate– Some of the best turtle bark in the world. We found ourselves overstaying our welcome at the sample dish.
Special thanks to The new Austin Landing Kroger for sponsoring the event. Other sponsors included Tim Horton’s who provided coffee, while Aquafina supplied free bottled water.
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