The Confectionary Brings Its Sweetness To Mentor

Pat Huebner is not just a baker and proprietress of the newly relocated Confectionary Cupboard.

She is a scientist.

She and Jillian Wilson, Huebner's assistant who she refers to as her "right hand," are constantly concocting new cupcakes.

"My favorite part is the experimenting," she said.

Sometimes, the experiments go well -- as they did when they filled a vanilla bean cupcake with chocolate ganache and covered it in marscarpone whipped cream frosting.

Both Huebner and Wilson named it as a favorite creation.

"It emulated the taste of a french silk pie," Huebner said.

Sometimes, the experiments go less well, as they did during the Caramel Incident.

"I have a scar from it," Wilson joked.

Huebner and Wilson come up with new creations so often that they have to change the Confectionary's offerings every day to accommodate them. Consequently, each morning they will post the types of cupcakes they have for sale on their Facebook page.

Only two cupcakes -- the all-chocolate and brides' cake -- are available everyday. The rest pop up intermittently, which makes the Confectionary's Facebook page a must for regulars.

And, due to Huebner's penchant for experimentation, more cupcakes are being added to the rotation all of the time.

New in town

Huebner opened the Confectionary two years ago in Willoughby. She said it gave her something to occupy her time after her daughter left for college.

The Confectionary moved to 7300 Center earlier this week, next to Yours Truly.

It now occupies a historical building that used to be the city's library and was designed by Abram Garfield, President James Garfield's son.

"The business has grown to the point where we needed more space," Huebner said.

Huebner loves being in a historical building. She said it suits her old-fashioned sensibilities.

"We like being an old-fashioned business where we know all of our customers by name. We know who they are and ask how they're doing," she said.

Huebner added that she also learned how to bake in the old-fashioned way.

"I am of the generation that I was taught by my grandmothers -- always in the kitchen experimenting," she said.

And she and Wilson plan to keep working their science, creating something new and tasty for their customers.

"Our philosophy here is we want your cupcake to be a decadent dessert, not just a cupcake," Huebner said. "Because you can get just a cupcake anywhere."

The Confectionary Cupboard also caters special events in addition to their regular sales. They are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit their Facebook page.