The ongoing cupcake craze had not captured my attention…until a recent visit to Sublime Cupcakes, which opened early last month in Collegeville’s Providence Town Center. Owner Laurie Rochotte’s cupcakes flavors are both indulgent and creative, everything from harvest pumpkin and chocolate peanut butter crunch, to maple bacon and caramel apple. Ultra moist and topped with delectable icings, Rochotte still bakes each treat as she initially did in her home kitchen. So it’s no wonder that, due to popular demand, she’s opened three stores in just three years.
I recently chatted with this cupcake connoisseur to learn where she gets flavor ideas and what’s on the horizon:
What led you to start Sublime?
I was a home baker and just loved to bake. I decided that it would be really fun to open a little cupcake shop. Sublime Cupcakes was initially opened as a hobby business in Wyomissing, and on opening day we had a line all the way down the shopping center! I quickly realized that I would need to hire a team. We’ve been in business for three years, and already have three locations.
What’s the secret to making perfect cupcakes?
The most important thing is to focus on ingredients. My goal was—and is—to bake exactly as I do for my family, and that can be hard when you bake in larger quantities! But the second you waver from ingredients that are so good, you can taste the difference. For example, we’ve never used shortening; we’ve always baked with butter in the cakes and frostings. Every egg is cracked. Very high quality chocolate is used, including pure chocolate sprinkles. Fresh fruit purees are incorporated, like strawberries or bananas. We juice and zest our citrus. Also, we are really thoughtful about what’s on top of the cupcakes—it has to work with the flavor profile.
What inspires your creative flavors?
The creative process is my favorite part of the business, but flavor ideas also come from customers and team members. We take ideas from other desserts and flavor combinations that we love, like s’mores and apple pie. Right now we’re testing a variety of coffee flavors.
What varieties can we look forward to during the holiday months?
During Thanksgiving, we feature a candied sweet potato cupcake, pumpkin maple pecan and pecan pie. As we get into Christmas, Sublime offers peppermint bark; eggnog; cranberry orange (which is especially pretty with a sugared cranberry on top); as well as hot cocoa, which is available throughout the winter season.
For the first-time visitor, what are the best-selling cupcakes?
Favorites vary depending upon location. Bestsellers include peanut butter cup, harvest pumpkin, snickerdoodle (in Collegeville) and hot cocoa.
Tell us more about how Sublime partners with local groups in need.
Because our cupcakes are baked fresh daily, we donate everything that’s remaining at the day’s end at our Lititz and Wyomissing locations. And we’re currently setting up donations for the Collegeville shop, with local groups like a shelter and church outreach center. I hate to see anything go to waste, and it’s wonderful to provide our cupcakes to those who don’t normally get a gourmet treat.
Any plans for more Sublime Cupcake shops in Town Dish locations?
A fourth location is somewhere in the future!
Sublime Cupcakes’ new Collegeville store is located in the Providence Town Center at 141 Market Street, Suite #1 in Collegeville. Other locations include Lititz and Wyomissing. For more information, visit (484) 973-6439 or sublimecupcakes.com.
Exterior image credited to Laura Koster; remaining photos credited to Sublime Cupcakes.
