R5 Cupcakes—Without The Calories

Decadent-looking desserts and pastries greet customers as they enter Kalliste Organics (30 Garth Rd, Scarsdale 914-574-5467; kallisteshop.com), along with the irresistible aromas of chocolate and vanilla. Better take a closer look at that cake in the window before you ask for a slice, though: the products are all made of olive-oil-based soaps. Shop-owner Marie Labropoulos, originally from Greece, makes her sweet-smelling concoctions out of an assortment of herbs, coconut, macadamia nut oil, and other natural ingredients. Soaps can be purchased in bars or in circular form, which take up to four weeks to mature (they need to be aged like cheeses or wine). Choose from “flavors” such as coffee, cherry, and mint. Soaps are $2 an ounce, so a typical bar runs between $5 and $7; cupcakes and cake slices range from $6 to $8.