B's Sweets now offers cake-decorating supplies and classes in its expanded space at the foot of Signal Mountain.
B's Sweets now offers cake-decorating supplies and classes in its expanded space at the foot of Signal Mountain.B's Sweets, which has been offering cakes and pastries at the foot of Signal Mountain since 2012, is now two times bigger, having expanded into the space next door in November of last year.
Owner Brianne Hager, who learned the art of baking from her grandmother, has been teaching baking and decorating for years, holding some classes at the Mountain Arts Community Center on Signal Mountain and smaller workshops in the small consultation area in the front of her shop. Her expanded space allows her to hold larger classes inside the bakery.
She recently hosted a workshop for 17, her largest yet.
"I have a passion of being able to teach the next generation cake-decorating, which is going away," Hager said. "It's a technique children are not getting taught, because people are too busy. Now they can send their kids here to learn, and they don't have to clean up the mess."
B's offers plenty of classes for adults as well. Offered individually so students don't need to commit to a series, classes include "All Covered in Fondant," in which participants learn to ice a 6-inch cake and cover it with fondant, then learn techniques to add texture to the fondant.
That one-day class is being offered at the shop Jan. 17 and 30 from 6-7 p.m. both days.
"I don't want people to have to make a huge investment," she said. "If you want to just be able to brush up on one technique, you can take that specific class."
On Jan. 23, Hager will teach students how to level, tort, crumb-coat and ice a cake, as well as how to create different icing textures, and on Jan. 24 she will teach beginners the art of piping. Both classes are being held in the shop from 6-7 p.m.
Hager also has upcoming classes on creative winter cookie-decorating techniques: at the MACC Jan. 16 and at B's Jan. 31, from 6-7 p.m. both days.
She said the recent expansion also provided the space for her to begin selling cake-decorating supplies that cannot be found anywhere else north of the river. Hager offers free monthly demonstrations of new products available in the store, such as December's lesson on using chocolate molds.
Another reason for adding more space is the steady increase in business the bakery has experienced over the years, Hager said, both in-store purchases and orders for cakes. B's now offers delivery through Dinner Delivered, which she said has been especially popular with area offices and with people sending gifts to new mothers, as a basket full of pastries makes getting breakfast on the table easier with a newborn in the house.
To learn more, call the store at 521-0373, visit bssweets.com or swing by 715 Signal Mountain Road.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.