Couture Bakery a Hit with Locals

What started as flavored topped and filled cupcakes that were delivered to area restaurants has turned into a thriving storefront. 

Crumb de la Crumb Couture Bakery opened at 1017 E Bloomingdale Ave. Valrico, on July 25 and has been exceeding customers' expectations ever since. 

The name means "the best of the best," according to owner Cindy Shoemake, who has turned decorating and baking from a hobby to a career.

About eight years ago, Shoemake, then a respiratory therapist at Brandon Regional Hospital, wanted to personally make her 2-year-old son's birthday cake herself. The result was a huge hit with friends and family who asked her to do cakes for their kids also. Her husband, who is a chef, began collaborating with her on new recipes and flavors.

"We have fun everyday," said Shoemake. "This is a family-run business where we work well together, have fun, and spend time as a family."

Shoemake's favorite icing to work with is fondant. While some cake shops put a thin layer of buttercream or whipped icing underneath the fondant to help it stay on, Shoemake puts on a full layer so "if you don't like the taste of fondant, you still have icing underneath."

At Crumb de la Crumb you can get cupcakes, cookies, fresh-baked bread, cakes and other pastries. A new design Shoemake has begun delivering to customers is a business card cookie. Your business card can be placed on top of a cookie to help you advertise.

Shoemake has three kids and gets a lot of ideas for her cake designs from them. However, her favorite type of cake to design is a new idea from a customer. 

"I love when a customer comes in with a new design or challenge. It's
invigorating," said Shoemake. "Customers have brought in their party ware to have matched and even a favorite purse design for me to recreate. It's always fun for me."

A self-taught designer and decorator, she is now helping others find their artistic side with icing. Cake decorating classes are taught at the store in a separate party room. The classes are for both beginners and those looking to work with fondant.

One of the favorite days for customers, by far, is $1 cupcake Tuesdays.  There is a line out of the door every Tuesday afternoon.

If you have a unique design in mind for your family's upcoming celebration, stop in to talk to Shoemake. She is up for the challenge.

Crumb de la Crumb is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit Crumb de la Crumb's facebook page. Or call 813-681-CAKE.