Hey Darlings! I was recently in Jacksonville, Florida with the kids on what will probably be our last vacation before school begins in less than two weeks. The kids and I hit the open highway in the new 2019 Ford Edge ST Crossover SUV and honey it was an amazing ride and as destiny would have it I would find a cute little sweet shop.
As a baker myself I make it a habit which probably isn’t a good one to have but I love seeking out bakeries when we travel. When I’m looking for bakeries I love to read about their start and what was the driving force behind them starting their brand.
Allow me to introduce you to Sweet by Holly. Sweet by Holly is owned by Hollis Wilder and here’s her story.
“Miss Holly’s cupcakes are more than the sum of their ingredients. Each one comes with story and history that led it to our counters. The recipes came from moms, aunts, grandpas (yes it’s true, not many but a few!) and grandmas. Some are simply created by our creative chefs or inspired front of the house staff. Every cupcake that is made by Sweet By Holly is truly a team effort and includes one ingredient that is not in the recipe book but is absolutely essential, and that is LOVE! We hope you get the same pleasure from eating our cupcakes that we get from making them!” (www.sweetbyholly.com)
Sweet by Holly was conveniently located near the Hampton Inn where we stayed. It was literally up the street. It wasn’t close enough to walk but accessible by vehicle or uber. It’s located in a strip mall with several other shops and restaurants. The moment that I pulled up and proceeded to park I just knew that I was in for a sweet treat. There was a single bistro table sitting directly outside of the shop that was occupied with a group of friends laughing and smiling while enjoying cupcakes and froyo. It’s just something about a bakery when you see the smiles and the door opening and shutting as happy people enter with their hands empty and leave with their hands grasping their white bakery box. The price was fair in my opinion. I ordered 4 minis. Let me be very clear that their minis were heavy minis. When you think about a mini cupcake you think that its small and light. Sweet by Holly’s are not. In fact they’re like having a full size cupcake. Keep in mind on Monday’s they have a special on minis for $1.00. I spent close to $9 which wasn’t bad. I love a good cupcake and I don’t mind spending the money. The service was amazing. The ladies inside greeted us as soon as our feet touched the entrance. The bakery is very spacious. I loved the fact that they have a cute wedding section where you taste test for your special day. The shop was just adorable.
We opted to taste a selection so we purchased the following:
- Red Velvet: Traditional red cake, cream cheese frosting with dark chocolate curls
- Lemon: Lemon zested yellow cake, key lime frosting with lemon filling
- Pinata: Ganache covered yellow cake, chocolate filling and confetti topping
- Birthday: Traditional yellow cake, butter cream and confetti topping
