March Happenings at Fika Bakeshop

Swedish cinnamon buns, Swedish Carmelized Almond Cake (Tosca cake), and Meyer Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cakes cooling off in the Fika Bakeshop kitchen.

It’s yet another rainy day as I write this, and this storm is a doozy! So many trees have fallen on our local roads that we are basically stuck here for a while. Fortunately we are warm and dry, and have plenty of food in the house.

We’ve had a challenging winter in tiny Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz mountains, and that is putting it mildly. So much of the wet stuff falling from the sky! Almost 100 inches this winter, and that’s a first for me in almost 12 years of living here.

It’s both wonderful and wearying at the same time.

I’m glad that I am rediscovering my Scandinavian roots — Nordic folk have a lot of experience at getting through long winters. I have been practicing my version of “hygge,” a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” (Oxford Dictionary 2016). When the storm is raging outside, and we can find comfort inside with our loved ones, warm blankets, a fire in the fireplace, mugs of hot coffee or tea, and a home-baked pastry — that is hygge.

Closely related is the Swedish concept of fika, which of course is the namesake for my bakery business. Fika is the daily or twice-daily Swedish practice of taking coffee breaks with delicious baked goods, with good company. It's all about slowing down and finding time for friends and colleagues, while you sip a drink and enjoy something small to eat. Since I work out of my home, the friends and colleagues part is usually missing from my fika; however, I make up for it by enjoying the company of a good book with my fresh-brewed coffee and small bite.

So, here is the chatty news from Fika Bakeshop as we collectively move away from winter and towards spring in the wheel of the year:

Pop-up Bakery Dates

I have been looking forward to hosting pop-ups on my deck in Ben Lomond again. Unfortunately, the rain has put the kibosh on any early pop-ups at our home. As soon as it’s completely dry again, we’ll fill the giant pothole in front of our driveway and start opening up the deck again for fresh-baked goodies and coffee.

In the meantime, I have two pop-ups scheduled in April at Venus Spirits Tasting Room, 200 High Road, Santa Cruz. The first is Sunday, April 2nd from 1-4 pm, and the second is Saturday, April 29th from 1-4 pm. I will be showcasing menu items from the spring seasonal menu, along with my popular cardamom buns.

Venus Spirits has been a godsend for my small business. I love to hang out there on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and chat with folks coming to buy my freshly baked cardamom buns, scones, and other goodies. There’s always good music playing, great cocktails, and an all-around terrific vibe there.

Pastry Platters for Your Event

I’ve added a new element to my menu: bun/scone platters and cookie platters! If you have an event coming up, whether it be a morning work meeting, a school event, a wedding brunch or a workshop, I can pull together some amazing platters with cardamom and/or cinnamon buns, sweet and savory scones, or cookies.

Of course, you can always order pastries at the regular price to be picked up in boxes and arrange it yourself. However, sometimes life gets busy and we need a little extra help. That’s where I can come in. For an extra charge, I will arrange the pastries myself on decorative platters with fruit, provide coffee/tea service if desired, and deliver locally (San Lorenzo Valley/Scotts Valley/Santa Cruz). Easy-peasy!

Spring Menu on the Horizon

Whether it’s raining or not, I will shortly announce Fika Bakeshop’s spring seasonal menu. I’ve been working on some fun new menu items, including a seasonal bun and a new savory leek and goat cheese scone. Some old favorites will return, such as the Norwegian Rhubarb & Almond Cake and the Meyer Lemon-Glazed Blueberry Scones. I can’t wait!

And Finally, New Puppy News!

If. you follow Fika Bakeshop on Instagram and/or Facebook, you are probably aware that we have a new silver labrador retriever puppy! She is a little over two months old now, still has her blue puppy eyes, and is cute as the dickens. It’s certainly made our home lively! Her name is Crumpet, and now I need to learn how to make crumpets in her honor!

Stay safe and dry!

xo,

Susan