Cupcake War’s Famous “The Sweet Shoppe” Just Outside Of Helen Ga

This blog post is part of “HELEN RESTAURANTS DIRECTORY” blog series.

Are you craving something sweet?

Many of the visitors who choose to visit our cabins in Helen will also make the decision to take a day trip up to scenic Blue Ridge, GA during their trip. Even if you weren’t already planning to do so, you may just change your mind once you learn a little more about the fantastic bakery and candy shop that is located there. The Sweet Shoppe has been featured on Food Network’s “On the Road”, is frequented by celebrities like the Zac Brown Band and cast members of Duck Dynasty, and won the 6th season of “Cupcake Wars”. From baked goods to truffles, The Sweet Shoppe will tempt everyone in your group with something truly irresistible!

History & Overview

The Sweet Shoppe was opened by pals and owners, Nikki Gribble and Susan Catron in May of 2011. Both girls were raised and inspired by their family members in the kitchen. Nikki spent years crafting chocolate goodies with her grandma, while Susan and her mother bonded by whipping up homemade cakes and frostings. After conversing about their love for the craft, the pair decided to join forces and pursue a dream of bringing their tasty confections to the masses. In the 3 years since the doors to The Sweet Shoppe first opened, it has continued to gain notice. The girls have been invited to serve the State Capital and governor of Georgia, have placed as a finalist in the Flavor of GA contest, have served cupcakes to a pre-party event for the American Music Awards, and of course, have won cupcake awards! Recently, a second location of The Sweet Shoppe was opened in McCaysville, GA. What makes The Sweet Shoppe so successful? In addition to Nikki and Susan’s passion, all items are made fresh each day from the highest quality ingredients. The girls follow a 3 week flavor schedule to guarantee that every day and week has something new to offer than the one before.

Available Candies & Products

You’ll go gaga for all of the sweets and treats available at the Sweet Shoppe. Whether you’re a candy person or a baked goods person, you’ll find something that will hit the spot. The store’s gourmet cupcakes are its biggest draw and are what it is most known for. Dozens of different flavors are baked up depending on the day. If you’ve got a craving for a particular flavor, be sure to check out the store’s Facebook page which lists the flavor schedule and will keep you posted on what to expect each day. Some of the more popular flavors include Blonde Bombshell, Italian Creme, Cookie Dough, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies and Creme, Chocolate Lava Fudge, S’mores, Pumpkin, Snickers, and Carrot. For a more unique flavor experience, ask about PB&J, French Toast & Bacon, Apple Pie, and Banana Split.

Not a cupcake person? No worries! The Shoppe also bakes fresh cookies each day and offers amazing candies and snacks. Be sure to try some pretzel bark which received notice at the Flavor of Georgia. It’s available in milk chocolate/caramel, white chocolate/caramel, and turtle/chocolate/white chocolate. You’ll also delight in candy coated fruits. Try a caramel or chocolate coated apple (with or without nuts), strawberry dipped chocolates, chocolate dipped cherries, or a grape or blueberry skewer. And don’t forget to try the truffles, available in a wide range of flavors from chocolate to salted nut marshmallow.

Planning Your Visit

The hours of operation for the Sweet Shoppe depends on the location that you choose to visit. If you’re headed up to Blue Ridge, you can drop by for a tasty treat Monday-Thursday from 10am-5:30pm, or Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-8pm. The store is closed on Sundays. For those going to McCaysville, the Shoppe is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 11am-5pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-8pm. This location is not open on Sundays or Wednesdays, so plan accordingly.

Once you purchase your items, you’ll want to make sure that you’re able to store them back at the cabin to keep them as fresh as possible. The Sweet Shoppe girls strongly recommend that you don’t put them in the refrigerator – this will dry out the cake. The cupcakes will remain fresh in the container that they were purchased in for up to 3 days. If you don’t plan on consuming them with 3 days they can be wrapped in cellophane and placed in the freezer for up to 10 days. But we doubt that you could resist finishing off the cakes for that long!

Want to know more about The Sweet Shoppe or the Blue Ridge area? Let us know in the comments section and we’ll be happy to help you plan your day trip.

image credit: http://www.sweetshoppeblueridge.com/