Don’t let the leprechauns find your sweets…

Posted on March 11, 2014 by admin

Your friends at Bettersweet aren’t interested in cabbage or green beer. Sorry, folks, but you’ll have to find those treats somewhere else. What we are interested in, however, is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style.
PICKUP HOURS: Friday 3/14, 1-6 pm OR Saturday 3/15, 9-noon.
Orders will be accepted until Thursday evening, 3/13.
We will not be having a surplus goodies email this week.

CURT’S ‘VERY CHOCOLATE, VERY STOUT’ CAKE:

This deep chocolate cake partners with the strong, dark flavors of Guinness to create a culinary masterpiece.  A thin layer of ganache-whipped frosting makes this treat truly delish!  8″ $34.

COIN COOKIES

Due to popular request, we’re offering a version of our signature cutout cookies this year.  A variety of circle sized frosted cookies, edged in gold sparkle and imprinted with different monetary amounts.  The kind of change they won’t take at the bank.  Minimum order 1 dozen cookies, $12/dozen.

POT-O-GOLD CUPCAKES

~ vanilla chocolate chip with irish cream creme filling, cocoa butter frosting.

~ ‘green’ french vanilla with mint creme filling, BSB’s butter frosting.

~ white chocolate with kalhua creme filling, mocha butter frosting [our newest frosting flavor… absolutely superb!].

 All cupcakes are finished with gold sprinkles and shamrock sugars.

Minimum order 1 dozen per flavor OR 1 dozen assortment [4 of each flavor]. $22 per dozen.

MINTED CHOCOLATE CRUNCH CAKE

Created to cure the ‘last box of girl scout cookes’ dilemma, this light chocolate cake is filled with three layers of crème and crunch. Finished with a striking pale green frosting and even more cookie crunch. 8in $30

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Sweet! the hallmark holiday is upon us… why not forgo the boxed chocolates and get your sweetheart something fresh and delish?

Posted on February 4, 2014 by admin

BSB’s Valentine’s menu specials are available for pick up on:

Thursday 2/13, 1-6 pm
Friday 2/14, 9-6 pm

Orders will be accepted now through Tuesday, 2/11.  Order:

online: http://bettersweetbakery.com/order-online/

email:  http://bettersweetbakery.com/contact/email-us/

phone: 920/893.0617

VOLCANO CHOCOLATE CUPS~
Ever had a deep chocolate lava cake?  Well, have you ever had on of Bettersweet’s?  Special for this time of year, you’ll receive a box of 6 individually portioned lava cakes.  Baked in a free standing fluted cup, these lava cakes are ready for your dessert table.  Simply microwave for 20-30 seconds, add ice cream and splurge.  Instructions will be included.  Unlike most of our custom goodies, these treats are freezer friendly.  Minimum order box of 6, $12/box.

EAT YOUR HEAR OUT COOKIE BOX~

Inspired by the traditional colors for this cupid’s day, we’ve created a box of various sized heart shaped cookies, all sandwiched with shades of pink buttercream.  You won’t be disappointed  Minimum order 1 dozen box, $10.

M’S CHOCOLATE DIPPED LOVE WANDS~
Need a special gift for a special kid in your world?  Why not something made by a special kid at the bakery!  Margo is gearing up again to make her chocolate dipped pretzels, festively adorned and individually wrapped.  $.75 each, $9 per dozen.  No minimum order.

‘LOADS-O-CHOCOLATE’ BROWNIES~

Our infamous 6-chocolate recipe, frosted, rich & delicious.  Perfect for any age, any time.  Box of 8 heart shaped brownies, $10.

HEART MARSHY’S ON A STICK~
We’ve taken our homemade marshmallow recipe, cut out hearts, covered them in chocolate and tiny sprinkles.  Then we’ve added 4 to a bamboo stick and prepared it for your next cup of hot cocoa or sweet tooth moment.  Something new, and of course, delicious.  Minimum order 1 dozen [3 sticks], $9 per dozen.  Want to include the cocoa?  Our signature french vanilla recipe available by the pint, $7 or half pint $3.50.  No minimum order on hot cocoa.

GLUTEN FREE CUPCAKE GOODNESS~
Cherry chocolate macaroons… unbelievable! These gluten free and diabetic friendly cookies are a really special treat.  $10/dozen, minimum order 1 dozen.

HOLIDAY CUPCAKES~ this year, enjoy a box of 4 over-sized cupcakes.  Decorated and gift boxed for the occasion.

~ Vanilla bean cupcake w/ fresh strawberry creme filling, cocoa butter frosting with decadent chocolate curls
~ Irish cream cupcake w/ cheesecake creme filling, champagne BSB’s butter frosting with sugar bubbles

Minimum order 1 box of 4, $12 per box.  Can be ordered per flavor [ie. 4 vanilla bean] or as an assortment box [2 of each flavor].

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before you order your next cake, please read this post…

Posted on January 17, 2014 by admin

No, we don’t have any exciting news here at BSB, nor is anything out of sorts.  We think it’s just time to explain why we CAN’T decorate your cake like Barbie.  Or add the Milwaukee Brewers logo… in a nutshell, it’s illegal.  I’ve come across a very well written article that explains this concept simply and correctly.  Would you please take 5 minutes and read this through?  Thanks so much to Mary of Mary’s Cake and Pastries in Northport, Alabama for the permission to share her article with you.

MAY 27, 2012

Don’t Bet the Bakery on a Cake

Copyright1Every so often we’re reminded of the legal issues involved in reproducing copyrighted and/or licensed characters (such as Mickey Mouse or Dora).

So what’s the big deal? There are thousands, if not tens of thousands of photos of character cakes online, and the majority of them are probably illegal.

Here’s the bottom line… if we got sued, the legal fees alone would put us out of business. And while the risk of being sued may seem small, I’m not willing to bet the bakery on it.

So, Mary’s Cakes & Pastries is unable to make cakes using licensed characters unless a written copyright release has been received from the copyright owner. This includes cakes made from shaped pans, carved cakes, and cakes with the likeness of licensed characters drawn on them.

It is a violation of Federal Copyright Law for a cake decorator to decorate any product they SELL with an identical copy or close likeness of copyrighted movie, TV, cartoon, or comic book character without permission of the copyright owners. To do so can cost the decorator AND the customer a great deal of money for damages under the law. Penalties range from $200 to $150,000 or more. As an individual making cakes privately at home for your own family and friends — WHERE ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY CHANGES HANDS, EVEN TO COVER EXPENSES — you can do whatever you want. But the law does apply to us, a bakery trying to make a profit from the cakes we make and decorate. It also applies to any private individual who accepts any amount of money for their creations.

(If you need a cake with licensed characters, skip to the bottom of this post to read about your options.)

There are three issues involved here… The law itself, and the two major exceptions to the law.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Copyright gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, or “the right to copy.” It also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who may adapt the work to other forms, who may perform the work, who may financially benefit from it, and other related rights.

Generally, creating any type of image that looks like a licensed or copyrighted character that is sold for commercial purposes is prohibited unless there is a specific licensing agreement, with two major exceptions.

First Sale Doctrine

HellokittypanThe First Sale Doctrine is an exception to the copyright law. After the first sale of a particular object that embodies a copyrighted work, the copyright owner’s rights are exhausted and the copyrighted object is free to flow in the stream of commerce. The doctrine allows for resale of the copyrighted object. It is important to note, that the First Sale Doctrine does NOT get around the copyright owner’s exclusive right to make reproductions or derivative works.

In the cake world, a baker can purchase a cake pan from a copyright owner (or authorized distributor) and then later sell that same cake pan to another person without violating the copyright owner’s exclusive rights. However, the First Sale Doctrine does not allow a baker to purchase a cake pan from a copyright owner (or authorized distributor), use the pan to create the copyrighted characters’ likeness, then sell that character cake to a third party. The sale of the character cake deprives the copyright holder of its exclusive right to reproduce and prepare derivative works of the copyrighted object, as well as their exclusive right to distribute the work to the public.

Licensed pans cannot be rented to consumers by stores since the licensor is not earning a royalty from the transaction.

We have never used licensed pans at the bakery, but do offer them for resale in the consignment shop. Any bakery, private baker or decorator that sells cakes made from these pans is breaking the law.

Fair Use

Fair use is the other major exception in copyright which allows use of copyrighted materials without obtaining permission as long as the use can be considered fair. There is a four-factor analysis which must be applied to each use to determine whether the use is fair.

  1. Purpose and character: generally whether or not a profit is made from use of the work.
  2. The nature of the work: creative works have more protection than factual ones.
  3. The amount of the original work being used.
  4. The market effect, or how the use impacts the market for the original work.

Each factor is given equal weight. The goal is to achieve a balance between the rights of the copyright holder with the rights of the public. Fair use is also technologically neutral so the same analysis may be applied to any medium. There is an excellent and detailed description of the fair use exception on Perdue University’s website.

I am not an attorney, but I can see both sides. In a bakery, the ultimate use is for profit (theoretically at least…). But I would argue that its use on a cake for a private birthday party has no major impact on the general market for the artwork. However then there is the perspective of the companies that buy the license and make the plastic figures for cakes (and mainly sell them to large bakeries and grocery stores). If a customer is not allowed to buy a from-scratch and well decorated cake from a bakery like ours, then they have to buy the licensed product from them. So, from their perspective we DO impact the market. Of course the flip side to that argument is that most of our customers don’t want the cheap plastic licensed figures and won’t not a grocery store cake. Some will go purchase a figure on their own and bring it to the bakery for us to use, but many will just find someone else willing to break the law so they can have a lovely and delicious cake with the decorations they want. Hence, the dilemma.

Options:

StrawberryshortcakeIf you want to buy a cake with licensed characters you have two legal options:

  1. Contact the copyright owner to obtain a release for the one time use, IN WRITING. This may take some time and be very expensive.
  2. Purchase a licensed cake design or figure and bring it into the shop. We will stock a limited number of the most popular items (Dora, Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Hello Kitty and Spongebob), but are happy to put any item you bring into the bakery on your cake and decorate around it.

When searching online for ideas for your cake, you will run across countless galleries from bakeries with beautiful licensed character cakes. At the risk of sounding redundant, these cakes were either made with the copyright release which can run in the thousands of dollars, made for display purposes only, or made without the copyright owners consent (illegally).

So please don’t ask us to break the law and put the bakery at risk.

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The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, your cookies are baked & ready to share… so sip your hot cocoa and simply rest, knowing BSB makes the best!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by admin

~Holiday orders will be accepted beginning on Tuesday 11/19/13.

~We appreciate & suggest orders be placed at least one week in advance.

~Orders may be placed:

online: http://bettersweetbakery.com/order-online/

email: http://bettersweetbakery.com/contact/email-us/

phone: 920.893.0617

~Due to the volume of orders during our holiday season, our normal business hours change and we are ONLY able to accommodate pick up appointments during the calendar hours specified. VISIT THE CALENDAR HERE: http://bettersweetbakery.com/order-online/

~Payment options:   cash or check

~All orders will include an additional  box & packaging fee.  This varies based on the size and specifics of your order.

~Not certain what your guests might enjoy?  Let us help!

~Gift certificates are available… in any amount!

 Any item with a * contains nuts. Any other specific ingredient concerns? Please ask when ordering.

As you may recall from last holiday season, when we are open [starting Thursday 12/5] our lobby tables will be filled with items available for walk in purchase.  Choose from pre-boxed cookie assortments, hot cocoa assortments, teacher gifts, jar mixes, and of course, extra treats!

 Come visit the bakery during our cookie open house!  All our cookie flavors will be available for sampling, with no cost nor obligation to order.  We simply want you to enjoy what our elves are working on.     Thursday 12/5: 2-7 pm   Friday 12/6: 2-7 pm

Signature Truffles

  • Handcrafted from the finest quality ingredients.
  • Minimum order 1 dozen. $17/dozen.
  • Order two 6 pc boxes [one of each flavor] or one 12 pc box [two of each flavor]
  • Includes holiday ribbon packaging… ready for gift giving!

Dark Chocolate ~ Salted Caramel~ Irish Cream

French Vanilla Toffee ~ Coffee ~ Pomegranate

Holiday Breads~ Perfect for brunch or gift giving!  Minimum order 2 loaves per flavor.  $6/loaf

Eggnog Holiday *

Blueberry Citrus

Raspberry Cream

Turtle * new recipe!

Almond Cherry  *

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip

Orange Cranberry

Festive Cupcakes

  • Minimum order 1 dozen.  Either 1 dozen per variety for 1 dozen of either assortment [will include 4 of each 3 flavors]. $23/dozen.
  • All cupcakes will be decorated with cute holiday sugars and complementing colored sugars.
  • All of the following cupcakes can be ordered in a gluten free version! $26/dozen

Sleigh Bell Box [kid friendly]

~ Classic vanilla w/ hot cocoa crème & peppermint BSB’s butter frosting

~ Fun-illa fetti w/ signature vanilla crème & BSB’s butter frosting

~ Milk chocolate w/ oreo crème & BSB’s butter frosting

Holly & Ivy Box [adult flavors]

~ Spice w/ eggnog crème & BSB’s butter frosting

~ Milk chocolate chip w/ salted caramel crème & kaluha BSB’s butter frosting

~ Fresh raspberry w/ dark chocolate cheesecake & cream cheese frosting

Holiday Cakes

Santa Claus ~cocoa-mint cake filled with velvety fudge & then frosted with a minty butter cream to image Kris Kringle himself. $30

The Dolly ~this one is fantastic:  The cake itself is a soft balance of vanilla bean, fresh orange and hints of cranberry.  Filled then a cranberry orange compote crème and a thin layer of house made orange curd… you won’t be able to speak while trying this stunning centerpiece! $32.

Eggnog Holiday ~moist, buttery and topped with our own rum glaze and almonds… amazing!  * $26.

Black Forrest ~something new this year!  A classic chocolate cake bustling with layers of fresh sweet cream and brandy seeped cherries.  Finished with a trio of European chocolate shavings. $32.

Signature Sugar Cookie Cutouts~ What could be better than spending the afternoon with your kids or grandkids decorating cutout cookies…. probably if you didn’t have to bake the cutouts or gather the decorating supplies!  Bettersweet has put together the solution in our new sugar cookie kits.  This DIY box comes with a dozen freshly baked cutout cookies, our signature butter frosting, and six small containers of cute and festive sprinkle choices.   Minimum order 1 dozen box $13.

Looking for our traditional cutouts?  A collection of classic and artistic holiday designs.   Minimum order 1 dozen  $11/dozen.

M’s Menu~ Our little baker in training, Margo or ‘M’, has expanded her holiday offerings this year.  Remember her incredible cake pops at the local farmer’s market this summer?  Well, she’s working on a festive version, as well as something new: chocolate dipped pretzel rods. [We are still working out the pricing and quantity that will be available.  Please inquire when ordering]

How about some very, very special cutouts?  You will get 6 of her holiday cookie designs per order… and she’s SO EXCITED to get started!  Minimum order 6 cookies, $4 per 1/2 dozen.  All sales will go to her ‘save, share and spend’ jars.

Cookie Information

~Cookies are sold by the dozen:  $8/dozen. Cookies in the Bettersweet’s Exclusives’ category:  $10/dozen

~Two ways to order: Single Varieties [i.e. 1 dozen ‘gingerbread trees’] or by  Categories [i.e. 1 dozen ‘classics’]

 ~Buy any 10 dozen cookies: get the 11th free PLUS receive a 10% coupon good for  your next order!

This Year’s Cookie List

Classics

Chocolate Filled Poppy Seed

Peppermint Crèmes

Gingerbread Trees

Spritz

Pistachio Pinwheels *

White Chocolate w/

Cranberry & Macadamia Nuts *

Bettersweet’s Favorites

Coconut Crinkles *

Lemon Sandwich

Coffee Spice

Lime Shortbread

Caramel Cashew *

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints

Childhood Favorites

Great for kids!

Minty Polka-Dot Trees

Chocolate PB Surprise*

North Pole M&M

Chocolate Peppermint Stars

White Chocolate Holiday Trees

Cherry Dippers

Sweet Uniques

Rosemary Almond Trees *

Earl Grey

English Orange Curd Wreathes *

Sweet & Spicy Gingeries

Lemon Lavender Crèmes

Orange Cranberry Thumbprints *

Bettersweet’s Exclusives

Hazelnut Crescents *

Rum Praline Shortbread *

Raspberry Linzer *

Almond Cherry Shortbread *

Chocolate Coffee Bean Delights

Cardamom Honey Snowflakes

 Any item with a * contains nuts. Any other specific ingredient concerns? Please ask when ordering.

Need something special this season? Give or send one of our gift boxes!

  • Nestled in our beautiful holiday boxes [ready for you to ship as well], you will find some of the finest of what Bettersweet offers.
  • You chose the size and the flavors you would like to include:
  • Each box will include a handful of festive holiday candies, on us!

Medium Box Includes: $28
1 loaf of bread OR 1 jar of hot cocoa mix
1 lb granola OR 6 pc truffles [holiday assortment box]
1.5 dozen assorted cookies

Large Box Includes: $42
2 loaves of bread OR 1 loaf and 1 jar of hot cocoa mix
1 lb granola OR 6 pc truffles [holiday assortment box]
2.5 dozen assorted cookies

Jar Mixes~ Why not pick up that foodie on your list a special stocking stuffer?  Also makes a fantastic hostess gift to use anytime during or after the holidays.  Packaged in glass mason jars with festive labeling, ribbon and easy to follow instructions.

  • Hot cocoa: a classic cocoa flavor with just enough sweetness!        Available in French Vanilla, Chocolate Mint, Gingersnap, White Chocolate, Hazelnut, or Creamy Cappuccino.     $7/pint.  $3.50/half pint.  $12/ set of 3 half pints.
  • Santa’s chocolate supreme cookies: these will certainly make everyone’s favorite list, toasted coconut, chocolate chunks, cashews, white chocolate and holiday M&M’s…. Whew! * $10/quart jar.
  • JM’s peppermint chocolate cookies: this jar mix is layered with touches of red and white… making a very stunning gift.  Chocolate and peppermint, who could go wrong?  $10/quart jar.
  • Abominable snowman’s toffee pecan cookies: crunchy toffee pairs up with pecans, flakey coconut and a double dose of chocolate. * $8/quart jar.

Grasshopper Squares~ cake like brownie bottom, a creamy minty essence filling and a smooth, rich ganache covering.   Unbelievable!

Minimum order ½ dozen. $19.50 half dozen

Stunning Cheesecakes~ This year we’ve put together some incredible cheesecake flavors.  All are 9”, serving 12-16 generously.

Almond Joy~ a perfect rendition of the classic candy bar.  Chocolate crust, almond essence cheesecake and then a stand out finish of chocolate swirls, toasted coconut and sliced almonds. * $42

Cherry ~  our New York style cheesecake is topped with a cheerful layer of fresh cherry compote.  You won’t know it’s anything but good!  * $48

Triple Chocolate~

Gluten Free & Special Diets~ BSB is always trying to accommodate sensitivities and allergies.  Here’s what we have to offer this year.  Please email or call for more information.

~ Cookie assortment: we are still finalizing the flavors for this gluten free cookie box.  Advance ordering suggested.  * $15/dozen

~ Cherry chocolate macaroons:  unbelievable!  These gluten free and diabetic friendly cookies are a really special treat.  $10/dozen

~ Festive cupcakes;  please see inside the brochure, as all of our festive cupcake flavors can be created in a gluten free version.  $26/dozen

~ Chocolate chip scones:  moist and delicious!  These simple gluten and grain free treats are just that, a treat!  Embedded with mini chocolate chips and a sweet vanilla flavor.  * $14/dozen

~ Cherry cheesecake:  our gluten free New York style cheesecake is topped with a cheerful layer of cherry compote.  You won’t know it’s anything but good!  * $48

TO ORDER:

~Orders may be placed:

online: http://bettersweetbakery.com/order-online/

email: http://bettersweetbakery.com/contact/email-us/

phone: 920.893.0617

~Due to the volume of orders during our holiday season, our normal business hours change and we are ONLY able to accommodate pick up appointments during the calendar hours specified. VISIT THE CALENDAR HERE: http://bettersweetbakery.com/order-online/

 

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In both Thanks and Giving, there is room for sweets…

Posted on October 30, 2013 by admin

Thanksgiving orders will be accepted through Tuesday 11/ and are available for pick up on:

Tuesday 11/26 CLOSED & LAST DAY TO PLACE THANKSGIVING ORDERS!
Wednesday 11/27 2-7pm
Thursday 11/28 8-11 am *THANKSGIVING DAY*
Friday 11/29 CLOSED
Saturday 11/30 9-NOON

ON TO THE GOODIES….

PIES
[All pies are 9″, serving 6-8]
Pumpkin: the classic recipe $14.  Available with spiced real cream topping $16.
Apple Crumble: made from a mixture of apple varieties and a buttery brown sugar crunch $15.
Caramel Apple: our signature apple pie with the addition of gooey, sweet caramel sauce $15.   [Available with pecan topping $16. *contains nuts]
Pecan: timeless and sweet $16.  *contains nuts

BREADS
[$6 per loaf.  HOLIDAY ORDERING SPECIAL: Minimum order of 1 loaf PER variety ~normal minimum is 2 loaves per variety]
Turtle *contains nuts
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip
Orange Cranberry
Almond Cherry Poppy Seed * contains nuts
Raspberry Cream
Apple Cinnamon

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP CREME COOKIES
We first created these for Kohler’s annual Food & Wine event last year.  They went over… well, very well.  A pair of soft, flavorful pumpkin cookies is baked with tiny chocolate chips and sandwiched with a aromatic cream cheese filling.  Pretty good cake lady… pretty good. Minimum order 1 dozen, $10/dozen]

CUPCAKES
[Minimum order 1 dozen. $24 per dozen. Includes box fee and holiday sugar decorations. Order either:
~ 1 dozen per flavor [ie. 1 dozen chocolate cherry]
~ 1 dozen assortment [receive 4 of each 3 flavors]

Vanilla bean cupcakes w/ pumpkin creme filling, cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate cupcakes w/ salted Kahlua caramel creme filling, cocoa butter frosting.
Butter vanilla cupcakes w/ pineapple rum creme filling, cream cheese frosting.

CHEESECAKES
Pumpkin: with spiced gingerbread crust $38.
Vanilla Bean: with mixed berry fruit compote $36.
Turtle: we dare you to enjoy just one piece $40. *contains nuts

PETITE TARTS   New this year!  We’ve taken our holiday pie recipes, created a crust less version, and then added a generous scoop to our famous fresh fruit tart crust.  You will certainly enjoy these mini desserts.                                                                                                

[Minimum order 1 dozen. $16 per dozen. Includes box fee.   Order either:

~ 1 dozen per flavor [ie. 1 dozen classic apple]
~ 1 dozen assortment [receive 4 of each 3 flavors]

Classic Apple
Pumpkin w/ spiced cream
Cherry Crumble

CELEBRATION CAKES  We are extremely excited to both bring out a classic and  introduce a new cake this holiday season!  The first was created to be a simple and stunning holiday piece, and second has been in the works for some time. As always with new goodies, we would love your feedback!

THE DOLLY CAKE:  this one is fantastic!  The cake itself is a soft balance of vanilla bean, fresh orange and hints of cranberry.  Filled then with a new cranberry orange compote creme and a thin layer of house made orange curd, you won’t be able to speak while trying this stunning centerpiece!  8 inch  $32

AUTUMNAL SPICE: it’s never easy to master a new recipe, but this one is pretty close.  Imagine the blend of fall spices, warm from the oven on your grandmother’s counter… then add a little brandied nutmeg creme, layered with a fresh vanilla custard…. [shall we keep going?].  Finished with our delicious cream cheese frosting and, cinnamon sugar swirls and a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg.  8″ 32

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