Read About Us in the Daily Press

The following is an article (Nov. 11, 2009) written by David Nicholson, a reporter for the Daily Press about our one of a kind fruitcakes:

Silverspoon Bakery in Portsmouth prepares homemade fruitcakes for the holiday season. Owner Claire Martinez has been making them since she opened the bakery in 2005.

"My grandmother used to make fruitcakes but I always thought they were dry," says Martinez. "So we use a combination of recipes for our version."

They're available through Dec. 31, and can be ordered by phone, fax or online. Cost is $10 for a one-pound fruitcake. $15 for a pound-and-a-half, and $30 for a three-pound. Martinez will ship them to you, though that costs extra. The bakery also does custom cakes and pumpkin, sweet potato and French apple pies to order.

Silverspoon Bakery, 4715 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth. Open Tuesday-Saturday. 673-8431. 405-5541 (fax). www.silverspoonva.com.

November 11, 2009 - Daily Press

National Vanilla Cupcake Day

If you didn't already know, today November 10th is National Vanilla Cupcake Day !!!So celebrate!!! Thank you to all that brought in their coupons for a FREE vanilla cupcake, and to those of you who couldn't make it in, I have included a recipe so that you can make them at home!Enjoy your day.

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tbl baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter ( room temperature)
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

In a bowl combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Add butter, and mix until coated with flour.

In a large bowl whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on med. speed add wet ingredients to the dry slowly. Scrape sown sides and mix until well incorporated.

Divide batter evenly among liners, may use an ice cream scoop for portions, and bake for 15-20 min. Cupcakes are done when a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Don forget to turn pan halfway through baking.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Decorate with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream
1 cup butter (room temperature)
6-8 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

In bowl cream butter with electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add 6 cups of powdered sugar, along with milk and vanilla. Gradually add remaining sugar until desired consistency is acheived.

Our Famous Fruit Cake Recipe Featured on Gracious Living

Hello Everyone,

It's that time of the year again and today I want to share my famous Fruit Cake Recipe with you. This is the one that was featured on the Gracious Living segment and printed in the Virginian Pilot. Even though this is not the one that is sold in the bakery, it is a very good fruitcake.

With all of that said, let's get started.

Ingredients
2 cups dates, pitted
1 cup prunes, pitted
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 pecans
1 1/2 cup walnuts
½ cup butter
3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cloves(ground)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup white grape juice
2 cups applesauce
4 oz maraschino cherries, halved
1/2 dark rum/ or brandy

Glaze
1/4 cup cherry juice
1/2 cup white grape juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup dark rum/ or brandy

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.Cut up fruit and nuts coarsely. Mix together.
Sift flour, baking soda and powder, spices and salt. Set aside.
cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time. Alternately add dry
ing. and grape juice until well blended. Mix in fruit, nuts and applesauce. Stir in rum or brandy.
line the bottom and sides of a 10* 4 inch or 12*3 inch pan with heavy brown paper.(A paper bag will do). Spray lightly with cooking spray.
Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.Bake for about 3 to 3 1/2 hrs or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Apply glaze once a week for 6 weeks. Keep tightly wrapped in plastic. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

For Glaze
Mix all ing. together. Generously brush the liquid over the fruitcake.(including the brown wrapping).
Apply glaze once a week.

Enjoy!

Our Newest Pastry Chef Is Here!!

Congrats!!

C.C. and Kevin on their new bundle of Joy, Ethan Ellis.

Born Sept.25,2009

From the Staff at Silver Spoon Bakery.

Luv Ya!!

Holiday Temptations

It's that time of year again! I'm in the kitchen putting together all the ingredients for our homemade fruitcakes and pies. Our fruitcakes are available for a limited time. November 1 through December 31, and guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. Orders can be placed via e-mail, phone and fax starting immediately.

I take pride in my fruitcakes and their old fashioned goodness. Each of them are carefully handmade using only the highest quality ingredients. There is absolutely nothing artificial about my oven baked goods. I also prepare an assortment of pies that include Pumpkin, Sweet Potato and my famous French Apple Pie. They too are prepared with fresh ingredients that I give the Silver Spoon Seal of Approval.

See you soon in the kitchen, C. C.

Our Young Pastry Chef Photo Album !!

"Wow look at the imagination and creativity"


"That is truly a masterpiece"


"So much thought and energy"


"I'm glad everyone is having fun"


"That looks very tasty"


"The color green never looked so wonderful"


"And away they go to decorate"


"The winner is"


"Tasty Cake"


"The grand prize goes too"


"How beautiful"


"It looks marvelous"


"So many little hands to help"


"I am having so much fun watching everyone"


"A new design for red velvet cake"


" A smiley face"


"She's having a blast"


"Orange and more orange"


"Green, Green and more Green"


"And they are off"


"Oreo cookies"


"This was so much fun"


"A smile is priceless"


"It was great to host everyone"


"The icing is tasty"


"Everyone had fun"


"Looks good"


"Thank you Silver Spoon"


"We had a blast"


"See you next summer"

My Future Pastry Chefs!!

We were so excited to have help in the kitchen this summer, baking our favorite cakes. The campers selected our bakery for one of their field trips this year. Each camper was given a chef's hat and apron as they prepared for the bakery tour.

The Cake Decorating Contest was a blast. I could not control my joy, as I watched the young pastry chefs begin.

1. Each camper was given their favorite treat (mmmummm!!) m&m's, oreo's, sprinkles, etc. they used their own creativity to decorate the cakes to reflect their own personality.

2. They worked as individuals collectively at the table

4. There were two winners and given prizes for their efforts.

It was a great day, I hope they come back soon... the holiday's are coming and we need help with the fruit cakes. :)

Thank you!! Cupcakes for Cans

Thanks to everyone who donated to Cupcakes for Cans....
We exceeded my expectations for our first of many food drives for the Southeastern Virginia Food Bank. We collected over 100 cans in 6 hours, kudos to my staff and their support. Please continue to support the less fortunate during these tough times, as we move closer to the holidays more and more families will need our support.
Well, I'm off to bake cupcakes!

DON'T FORGET TO PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW FOR OUR DELICIOUS FRUIT CAKE.....

Silver Spoon Bakery is Trying to Stomp Out Hunger in Hampton Roads

Silver Spoon Bakery has agreed to use cupcakes to fight hunger in Hampton Roads

In these tough economic times, we are pulling together our resources to help the less fortunate in our community. We are located at 4715 Portsmouth Blvd in Portsmouth and in conjunction with the Foodbank of Southeastern VA will stomp out hunger with a special treat.

On Saturday, September 12th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., for every can good you drop off at the bakery you will receive a yummy cupcake (limit 3). The can good must be in good condition and not past expiration. We can't be responsible for monetary donations so please contact the Foodbank directly at 757-314-4554.

There will be a FBSEVA barrel available at the location for drop off. So please come out and support our cause!

Home-a-rama!!!

Tidewater Builders Association sponsors an event every year called Homearama. These elite builders and interior designers come together and create some of the most beautiful homes one could imagine.From very stylish and functional kitchens to luxurious grand bathrooms, these homes are the creme' de la creme' of style and sophistication. This year(2008), one of my absolute favorite builders and interior designer,( J.F. Schoch Building Corp.) ,created the ultimate Monarch Bank Wedding House. This talented husband and wife team designed a fete for the eyes. Sparkling crystals filled every magnificent room with surprise splashes of color throughout. This year a very luck couple will say "I DO",on the front lawn of this masterpiece with 50 of their family and friend witnessing the splendid event. Every detail was orchestrated , from the flowers to photography, and of course the cake,by the wonderful ,and polished "Pearl", of Uniquely Yours by Pearl, a very sought after event planner in the area ,and Ms. Stella from the builders association. Needless to say, SilverSpoon Bakery was again blessed to partake in such a prestigious event. We created a 4 tiered fondant covered cake ,with a sparkling edible band at the base of each joining tier. Large sparkling diamonds rested on the top tier, representing the bride and groom. (Little did I know, diamonds were showcased in every room of the home prior to the design of the wedding cake. Talk about fate.). Large, full white roses cascade down the sides of the cake, flowing to the silver lit base. The cake was displayed for the full viewing of the houses and another was crated for the actual wedding. Very similar in style, with the exception of buttercream fosting and a chocolate fondant band incorporating the couples wedding colors. Thank you again Tidewater Builders Association and Mrs Margaret Schoch for the opportunity to be part of this glorious event.

Chef Jeff at Norfolk State

Food Network star Chef Jeff, of the Chef Jeff Project, visited one of our local colleges. Norfolk State University, located on Norfolk,Va. (Behold the Green and the Gold)! All that attended were able to see first hand, the caring and compassion that is often displayed in his show. He spoke to students, staff and many others that only wanted to get a glimpse of the TV personality, but all left with much more.His electric smile warmed the audience as he reminded us on the importance of making and choosing the right decisions for ourselves and our families. That hard work is worth the effort, and it will pay off. He is dedicated to providing a second chance to individuals in the hope that they will see their full potential and shine as stars as well. Everyone purchase a copy of his biography to read the full story that led to his success.(NO, he didn't pay me to say this). Thank you Chef Jeff!

Atlantic City Convention

We decided to take a field trip and check out the convention in Atlantic City,N.J. Wow! I felt like it was Christmas. There was a competition that will be featured on Food Network going on, ( I know who won, but promised not to tell), along with vendors galore. Many new ideas for desserts, as well as cake designs and various equipment. The event was held over a three day span and I enjoyed each day to the fullest. There were also many training seminars that one could take advantage of, many taught by some of my idols.I can't wait until the next convention!!!

LaShawn Merrit

Now for more updates.

Who else was able to provide the dessert for the LaShawn Merit celebration but SilverSpoon Bakery!! Everyone came out to congratulate our own,LaShawn Merrit ,on his gold medals in the 2008 Olympic Games. He was greeted with a parade in his honor as well as a VIP dinner with many city officials and friends. Congratulations again LaShawn! You made Portsmouth,Va. proud.

Paula Deen

Wow! It has been a min. since my last post. I promise I will be more disciplined with keeping you informed. Now, let me bring you up to speed. SilverSpoon Bakery was privileged,(our should I say lucky), to make a cake for the southern queen herself, Paula Deen, during one of her trips to our area for Smithfield Foods. She was so warm and really enjoyed our cake. (so did Michael). I hated the fact that I looked like I was just run over by a bus when I finally got to meet her. Boy, did we work hard that day. ( Rachel at our booth during the show). We delivered several wedding cakes along with working at the event. We knew she was a fan of almond cake, so what could be better? Maybe a bavarian cream filling? Yeah, that should work. So that's what we did, and little to say, she loved it. Along, with several staff members! Thanks Paula! You're a Sweetie"