Boutique Desserts By Jennifer McRoberts Take Los Alamos By Storm

Jennifer McRoberts, owner of Boutique Desserts. Courtesy photo

Boutique Desserts adds a touch of elegance to the common cupcake. Courtesy photo

A selection of cookies made for a group of scientists by Boutique Desserts. Courtesy photo

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Jennifer McRoberts began baking in 2007 when she had her second son and she has continued on her baking journey since then, ending up with her latest venture, Boutique Desserts, which is taking Los Alamos by storm.

“I took all the Wilton classes at the time and felt that I was missing out on more learning because at the time “Ultimate Cake Off” was being aired and they were doing amazing work beyond Wilton style. So, I began searching on the internet and found and joined the International Cake Exploration Society (ICES),” McRoberts said. “While being a member I started a Cake Club called Secret City Sweets in Oak Ridge, Tenn., in 2008 in order to meet new friends with a hobby I enjoyed.”

She got pretty serious after meeting her “cake buddy” Tammy. The two women began traveling to various “Days of Sharing”, which are continued education workshops, classes and other activities with more hobbyists and professionals in various states of baking.

“We also would attend the yearly convention to meet and learn sugar art and other decorating techniques from instructors around the world. I learned various media such as royal icing, buttercream, isolmalt (sugar), chocolate, fondant, cookies, cakes, gingerbread, and so much more,” McRoberts said.

She is currently the ICES representative for New Mexico and previously served as the representative for Tennessee and Nevada. She also served as a board member for three years. In her new role as the New Mexico ICES representative she is planning a Spring Day of Sharing next year.

Having won multiple state and local awards in cake decorating competitions, McRoberts founded and produced the Fall Into Sugar Cake Show held in Oak Ridge, Tenn. She plans to bring that event to Los Alamos also.

McRoberts was happy to see the state change the Food Cottage Law in New Mexico last July.

“There was a class to teach anyone that wanted to open a food cottage kitchen and that made the process much easier. I am personally working towards being able to sell my goods through the farmer’s market this holiday season. I also want to schedule pop-up sales around town and establish myself as your go to baker in town for all your dessert needs,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to providing special dietary desserts.”

One of those pop-up sales with be during the Small Business Saturday Sale Nov. 27 inside projectY cowork at 150 Central Park Square.

“After all the years of baking, experimenting and teaching others, I felt it was time to expand my baking journey into an actual business where I am able to provide delicious desserts, bring more personal service to my community at large, and to create the vision my customers dream of in dessert,” she said.

McRoberts loves a challenge and has made lots of special wedding cakes and 3-D groom’s cakes including cars, a semi-truck, and a replica of a college football stadium. She has baked all kinds of creations for birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers including cookies, cakes, and cupcakes for friends and family. She has also provided desserts for non-profit fundraisers and cakes for cast parties and other special events.

Having learned from renowned cake artists from Nigeria, Columbia, Australia, Japan, Britain and here in the United States, McRoberts also enjoys teaching her craft and is eager to pass on what she has learned over the years to those who are also eager to learn. Her next class is on Christmas Cupcakes and will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at project Y. For reservations and more information, email boutiquedessertsnm@gmail.com.