With the holidays approaching, many are putting their diets on hold. But don’t settle for a standard-issue Christmas cookie. Make the calories count. For Insta-worthy and decadent desserts, check out confections from two local home bakers.
Once Upon A Lil Cupcake (914.721.0097), based out of Scarsdale, specializes in decorative nut-free, custom-made cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. Owner Lillian Murtha, who is allergic to nuts, says that when her children developed the same allergies that she has, she carefully read ingredient labels, wanting to ensure they could enjoy treats worry-free. Murtha created her allergen-safe venture in January of this year after having worked in the healthcare industry for years.
Her sweets are meticulously decorated, often with tufts of colorful frosting, and include cupcakes topped with holly-shaped frosting and gluten-free chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons. A favorite are cupcake bouquets, made-to-order cupcakes arranged to look like flowers. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are also available.
Wildly Cakes and Sweets (914.312.1094), based in White Plains, also specializes in custom-made cakes, cookies, and desserts for special occasions. Maria Ramirez, who received her certificate of pastry arts from International Culinary Center in NYC, had decorated cakes for local bakeries for more than a decade before she decided to create sweets from home in October 2018.
Customers love her bespoke designs (including a mocha Bailey’s cake, and cupcakes and cakes decorated with baby-blue snowflakes — a nod to the movie Frozen), which are praised as highly for their elegant decorative designs as they are their taste. Be sure to order in advance.
