SusieCakes: The Answer To A Holiday Sweet Tooth In Lafayette

Charlotte Burkhart knew where she wanted to go on her birthday last Thursday.

She and her husband, Steven, drove from their Pt. Richmond home, hiked in Tilden Park and then headed straight for the SusieCakes bakery in Lafayette.

They split a piece of chocolate candy cane layer cake, a speciality offered during the holidays by the bakery on Mt. Diablo Boulevard. The Burkharts were not disappointed.

"It was really good, as usual," said Steven Burkhart.

Their praise is common among the customers who come to SusieCakes for after-lunch snacks as well as desserts for weddings, birthday parties and office gatherings.

The Lafayette shop is one of eight SusieCakes bakeries in California. Four are in the northern half of the state.

The company was started by Chicago native Susan Sarich, whose grandmothers taught her the art of baking.

The Lafayette bakery opened in October 2012 and it has apparently caught on quickly.

"Business has been really good," said Lisa Sexton, general manager for the Lafayette shop. "It's nice to see people coming in now for their second round of birthdays and parties."

During the year, SusieCakes offers an array of cakes, including German chocolate, tropical coconut, vanilla celebration, classic marble and carrot cake.

Sexton said the most popular is the old-fashioned six-layer chocolate cake. Next would be their red velvet cakes.

"They're really delicious," said Sexton.

The bakery also has cupcakes, puddings and cookies.

The pies are made seasonally, usually two varieties per season. During the holidays, there is apple crumb and pumpkin, although they will whip a pecan pie for someone on special order.

The Lafayette shop also has a line of holiday treats.

Besides the chocolate candy cane cake, there are gingerbread houses, frosted sugar cookies, pumpkin cheesecake and gingerbread latte cupcakes.

For New Year's Eve, there are special sugar cookies in the shape of champagne bottles and champagne glasses.

Sexton said all SusieCakes goods are made in house from scratch with natural ingredients. They use butter cream frosting to top off most of their desserts.

The six weeks from mid-November to the end of December are their busiest time as parties and feasts abound.

The shop also does well on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Sexton said Super Bowl Sunday was also surprisingly busy.

They handle enough parties that the shop employs a celebration coordinator who sits at a raised table in a front corner.

Sexton said the shop provides a "fun, welcoming environment" to go along with their sweet treats.

The Burkharts have found that to be true.

They have visited the Lafayette bakery several times as well as made treks to the SusieCakes in Marin County.

The couple said the bakery makes desserts that are moist and not too sweet.

"They make a classic cake exactly the way it should be made," said Steven Burkhart

Sexton said the location on Mt. Diablo Boulevard is perfect for them. Although parking is difficult, the bakery gets a lot of foot traffic and sits near a number of restaurants to lure people hankering for dessert after a meal.

Sexton added the family-oriented atmosphere in Lafayette is good for their business.

"We're very happy here," she said. "This is a great community."