Cupcakes make debut at the Farmer’s Market

 
A new sweet treat is for sale at the BYU-Hawaii Farmer’s Market from the Aloha Cookie and Cupcake Company. Debra Turin is selling her colorful and flavorful cupcakes.

Turin used to have a candy store back in Arizona. Inspired by this experience, Turin and her friend Carla Stroud Creekmore created their baking business and set foot in BYUH Farmer’s Market with their cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and shortbread.

“We choose to associate with BYUHawaii’s Farmer’s Market because we love the spirit of the university here,” said Turin.

“Cookies and cupcakes are synonymous. I think of home, good feeling, and comfort food. No one sits down and says, ‘I think I’ll eat a whole cake.’ But if you say, ‘Here’s a really good cupcake no one can resist.’ Besides, there’s nothing more rewarding for me than to watch students or anyone take a bite of my cupcake and look like they’ve just had the best thing on earth.”

Baking with only local and fresh ingredients is the secret of their products, said Turin. “We use only the best. Real butter but not lard for our cookies and frosting. And of course, there’s always a secret ingredient which will remain a secret. But the best word to describe it is to love what you do.”

Turin wants BYUH students to know she also takes special orders besides cupcakes and cookies. “We do wedding, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and bridal shower cakes. For specialty cakes and cookies, we meet with our clients and have a tasting beforehand.”

Vatau Bridges, a BYUH Security office employee and alumnus, bought four red velvet and cream cheese cupcakes to share with her friends. “Cupcakes are my secret to being slim and skinny,” said Bridges with a laugh.

After taking the first bite of her cupcake, Bridges described the taste. “It is breathtaking. It is very moist. I can taste the butter and it is good stuff. It is so delicious. I’ll certainly come back and buy more,” said Bridges.

Vincent Hew, a mathematics junior from Malaysia, ordered a Valentine’s Day special for his girlfriend, Joei Wong, a math sophomore from Malaysia. Hew also brought six cupcakes in different flavors. “They [cupcakes] just look so delicious,” he said.

Hew described the cupcake. “It is very soft and creamy. It just tastes very good and better than normal dessert. It is totally worth buying.” He continued, “It is sweet but in a level that even guys would enjoy.”