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Baker Jan Haneke shows parts of a cake she made that is based on a wedding cake from the TV show "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," on Tuesday afternoon at Jan's Sweet Treasures in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
A sweet indulgence
Local baker shares insights on baking goodies for the holidays and special occasions
Jan Haneke likes art. She feels baking is a different form of art.
"You keep trying to get the best taste and texture. You keep trying until you get to your goal," she said.
After seeing her mother take a class to learn how to make roses on cakes, Haneke decided she wanted to learn more and took a crash course in Los Angeles. As the owner of Jan's Sweet Treasures, Haneke, 58, enjoys spending her days making people's dreams come true through her creations.
Q: What do you normally bake?
A: We bake cakes and wedding cakes. We do everything else, too. We're a full-line bakery. If you want breads, I can specially make them if I'm given a couple of days notice. I also do a cookie basket. The holidays are good for that.
Q: What do you bake for the holiday season?
A: For the holiday season, we do pies. I'll do special breads. We do pastries and a lot of cookies and bars. I also do party trays for sweet hors d' oeuvres. We also do a specialty handmade chocolate box. The whole thing is edible. It is filled with classic truffles and rocky road. They can eat the whole thing if they want.
Q: What is the most difficult item to bake?
A: Nothing is really difficult, but maybe more time consuming. More modern bakeries go through mixes, but we try to do it the old fashioned way.
Q: What is the most popular holiday treat?
A: Last year, everyone wanted a little something of everything. They wanted variety. We make a German cake called "stollen cake," which is like a fruit cake. When people found out we made that, it went over really well.
Q: Do you ever host holiday parties?
A: We make a lot of party trays. We do a chocolate fountain out of dark Belgian chocolate. We use that because it tastes the best with everything. We provide the dipping items with it, such as strawberries, mini creme puffs and assorted cookies. Then we have someone run it.
Age: 58
Family: Married for over 30 years and has four sons.
Education: Delta and Gates School of Cake Decorating
Hobbies: Stained glass, painting
Family: Married for over 30 years and has four sons.
Education: Delta and Gates School of Cake Decorating
Hobbies: Stained glass, painting
Q: What would you recommend as a good holiday treat or dessert to try?
A: I think probably something chocolate because people feel like they need to indulge. Something we make, which I call "Todie-for chocolate," has a base made out of a rich and dense chocolate, like flourless cake. Then, on top of that, is a layer of chocolate moose and then a chocolate glaze over it. When you have a slice of it, you get all three flavors of chocolate.
Q: What is your favorite treat?
A: My favorite is really simple. It's chocolate chip cookies — not like the regular ones, but the old fashioned kind that melts in your mouth.
Q: Do you eat a lot of sweets?
A: At first you eat all the time, but it becomes like working in a hamburger joint. After awhile you just take a taste. My husband is a real taster. He has a critical tongue, so I go by his expertise tongue.
Q: How soon before Christmas do you recommend people do their baking?
A: It all depends on the recipe. Some of them say to bake it and then eat it right away. So they need to look at their recipes.
Q: What is the most elaborate cake or dessert you have ever made?
A: I did a cake for a first-year birthday. They wanted a castle with all the Disney scenes such as Cinderella, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty all on separate cakes. That took awhile. It was over at the Merlot building. My sons helped me carry them over. That was the most elaborate birthday cake.
Q: What are your future plans as a baker?
A: I would like to maybe expand, but I want to keep this a mom and pop store. I'd like to get more seating for people to have coffee and dessert. It would be nice to have a reception hall. Also maybe to have more supplies in here for people to buy locally.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: A perfectionist and artist. When I look at a job, I say, "Is that the best I can do?" My family will tell me not to mess with it — that it looks good.
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