Utah Loves Cupcakes

OREM — A visit to Magnolia Bakery made famous by TV’s “Sex in the City” series, has fostered a new business for a Springville mother-daughter duo.

“We’d taken a girl trip to New York City and visited the famous bakery,” said Trista Millette. “We thought it was a lot of fun.”

What Millette and her mother, DeAnn Shields saw and experienced first-hand, was the growth the cupcake fad in NYC and around the country. Millette said that Magnolia basically started the trendy treats 10 years ago when they were wondering what to do with their leftover cake batter.

When they got back to Utah, Millette and Shields started looking up recipes and cupcake information online, and experimenting with all kinds ingredients. “I wanted to do something creative,” Shields said.

It took about a year of experimenting to finally have the tasty treats made to perfection. Then after they figured out all the chemistry and legal requirements, Cupcake Chic was ready to bake.

“We got a website up and going,” said Millette. “Then we contacted new coffee shops in the county and sold them (the cupcakes) on consignment at Jaxies in Spanish Fork, Art City Coffee in Springville, and the Coffee Pod in Provo.”

Millette said after that Brigham Young University’s bookstore contacted them and wanted to sell them in their store. “We went with social media like facebook and it just sprung up from there,” Millette said.

Shields added, “we deliver for birthdays, to the Missionary Training Center, for Valentines Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Cupcakes are fun, clean and portion controlled.”

For two years they have been working out of Shield’s kitchen, but starting Wednesday their new retail bakery shop will open in Orem at 727 E. 1000 South (behind the new theaters at University Mall).

Shields, the director of nursing at Central Utah Surgical Center, said that while she won’t be doing the day-to-day work of the baker, she’s the financial backer of the new store. Millette and seven employees will be at the store baking, selling, delivering and shipping cupcakes all over the country.

“Everything is from scratch,” Millette said. “We use fresh ingredients, fresh fruit, coconut milk, imported chocolate and no artificial flavorings.”

Together the women said they got their education on the Internet, learning chemistry, how baking soda works, about dry air and high altitudes, and more. “There was lots of trial and error,” Shields said. “We’ve made lots of Trifle out of bad cakes.”

The new store will have a New York flare with a “now” motif, according to Shields. Cupcake Chic will also feature a boutique of all things cupcake, from plates to dental floss. “We will have a few tables and an eating bar for in-house cupcake connoisseurs,” Millette said. While cupcakes are the featured product, the bakery will also offer a variety of beverages as well.

Cupcake Chic offers 22 regular flavors and will rotate seasonal flavors like peppermint, pumpkin and eggnog. The bakery will also feature a flavor of the month. Their top selling flavor is Red Velvet, carrying with the national trend. The next three favorites in order are coconut, which Millette says is “a killer,” Key Lime with its graham cracker crust bottom and strawberry vanilla.”

People are so passionate about their cupcakes, Millette said. “One customer told us it’s like Christmas in your mouth.”

“We really want people to know about our gifts and product. Our cupcakes are your standard size,” Millette said. “And we also have minis.”  Shield’s added, “They are also cheaper by the dozen.”

Cupcake Chic hours will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday. Call (801) 368-9469 for information or to place orders.

Visit the Daily Herald news site for more info and to see some more cute Cupcake Chic pictures.