May 7, 2008

Spice Market

Whimsy & Spice Sweets

There’s more to dealing herb than getting baked.

For wholesome proof, dig into Whimsy & Spice.

The fresh-from-the-oven bakery enterprise run by an adorable Park Slope couple (him: ex-executive pastry chef at the Central Park Boathouse; her: graphic designer with business acumen) offers a tightly edited selection of handcrafted, hand-rolled, hand-cut sweets that have us on a major high.

Super fine ingredients are whipped into rose and black pepper thumbprint cookies, cog-shaped honey lavender shortbread, and decadent espresso dulce de leche brownies.

Marshmallow cubes are laced with caramel; chocolate chili biscotti are softer versions of the kind at cafe counters. Chocolately-orange-cardamomy shortbread has a balance and flavor that never overwhelms (we ate an entire pack on the G train).

Once ordered, cello packages of sugar, spice, and everything nice are mailed within two or three days.

Who’s got the munchies?

Available online at whimsyandspice.com; Sundays at Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea, schoolyard of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, 176 Lafayette Avenue, between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues, Fort Greene.