Desserts from Bella's feature local producers

Milton, DE - May 1, 2009 - Bakers of Bella's Cookies are launching a new line of desserts this week simply called "Bella's." Unique to each dessert is the concentrated use of local ingredients, sourcing ingredients found locally from Delaware's agricultural producers, with the remaining ingredients strictly natural & organic. The line will focus mainly on traditional desserts (those made with eggs/milk/butter), but also feature selections for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Desserts are available at area restaurants, food stores and through a new online dessertry at Bellascookies.com.

"The dessert line is one of several new product introductions at Bella's Cookies this year," said Kelly Leishear (president of Bella's Cookies) "we're very excited about it as it brings together great tasting natural and organic desserts with fresh, locally sourced ingredients." The desserts are being made with local eggs, local dairy (milk & cream), and local seasonal fruits as staple ingredients; as new desserts are created Bella's will seek other local agricultural producers who can supply ingredients. The "Bella's" line carries an identifiable new logo which incorporates the "Made Fresh with Care" logo from the Delaware Department of Agriculture. "Made fresh" is part of the "Grown Fresh with Care in Delaware" program that recognizes Delaware's value-added agricultural producers," said Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee." Leishear noted that she wants people to recognize the logo as a Bella's line of product (from a natural & organic bakery), and that each dessert is made with fresh, local ingredients.

Bella's will focus on old-fashioned Delmarva desserts, as well as top-selling classic desserts -- Strawberry Pies & Tarts (additional varieties with seasonal fruits such as peaches, raspberries, apples), Chocolate Cakes, and a Coconut Cake with an old fashioned whipped frosting. A new Coco-Carrot cake, Summerberry Cake, Delaware Rum Cakes (made with locally distilled Dogfish Head rum) and an authentic Key West, Key Lime Pie are additional items on the menu. "With a lot of experience in vegan and gluten-free baking through our cookies, Kelly was quick to conquer great taste on vegan and gluten-free desserts," said Mark Leishear (Director of Sales & Marketing for Bella's) "every week she receives orders from parents or others with food allergies looking for a cake, something special, etc." For those with food allergies, Bella's makes an assortment of gluten-free desserts such as chocolate tortes, lava cakes, and a selection of vegan dessert items such as a new vegan chocolate layer cake. This signature item is two layers of rich chocolate cake sandwiching a whipped chocolate-coffee filling made with locally roasted organic & fair trade coffee, and smothered in a dark chocolate ganache. As the population of customers with food allergies, intolerances or dietary restrictions continues to grow, these desserts are being sought after by area restaurants. All desserts vary in size from 10 in cakes and pies for parties or restaurants, to 8 inch cakes and pies for smaller, personal gatherings.

Bella's desserts are available online at Bellascookies.com. Customers can shop, buy, and have delivered to their home or business any dessert on the menu without traveling to a food store, market, or bakery. "We've delivered desserts for office parties & luncheons, dinner parties, and last minute guests" said Leishear "they're great tasting, locally-supported desserts." More restaurants will be offering Bella's desserts this summer, as customers are happy to support the localness of the line. Bella's will also be announcing a partnership with a local orchard in the next few weeks.

Bella's is a dessert division of Bella's Cookies, Inc. a natural & organic bakery in Milton, DE. More information about desserts including wholesale and ordering can be found by calling 302-684-8152 or online at www.bellascookies.com.

# # #

Whoop-De-Doo - Bella's Whoopie Pies

On the old Bella's website, we shared how we discovered and created our own natural & organic Whoopie Pies.

Whoop-de-doo (Organic Oatmeal Whoopie Pie)

Ask someone "What's a Whoopie Pie?" and you're sure to get either two responses... 1) shrugged shoulders and "I don't know" or 2) a quick "where... they're delicious." Delaware is about 2 hours south of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Lancaster County, PA. Whoopie Pies grow in fields there. Seriously... take an afternoon drive and you're sure to spot row after row of Whoopies. The Amish, are known for a lot of great dishes, but are most famous for two... Whoopie Pies & Shoofly Pies. Try to find a Whoopie Pie in Delaware though... forget it. This makes us think that most of you... have never tried a Whoopie Pie either.

Not too long ago, we were introduced to the Whoopie Pie on a trip to Hershey Park, PA. We had stopped at roadside bakery/restaurant/type shop, and immediately upon entering the bakery, your eyes zoom on this gargantuan creation. Two cakey cookies stuffed with some sort of fluffy, sugary, filling (it's a meal all to itself). We had to have one... delicious. And from that point, we were committed to bringing to market our version of this classic creation.

You can make a Whoopie in a variety of flavors, but since we haven't formally introduced an oatmeal cookie yet, here's one in a big way. Two, homemade organic oatmeal cookies, sandwiched between an all natural and organic sweet, creamy filling.

Here's to the inner kid in all of us... you'll love it!
 

Whoop-de-doo… (in order of quantity):

Organic Brown Sugar (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice & Organic Molasses), Organic Unbleached Wheat Flour w/Germ, Organic Oats, Organic Shortening (100% Organic Expeller Pressed Palm Oil), All Natural Eggs (from Vegetarian Fed Delaware Hens), Grade AA Butter (Pasteurized Sweet Cream (Contains: Milk)), Organic Milk, Spices, Aluminum-Free Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Pure African Vanilla Extract, Jurassic Salt. Filling: Organic Confectioners Sugar, Organic Shortening (100% Organic Expeller Pressed Palm Oil), Organic Unbleached Wheat Flour w/Germ, Organic Milk, Egg Replacer (Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour, Leavening, Cellulose Gum, Carbohydrate Gum),, Vanilla (same as above).

The Story of "Hunky Punky"

In a stubborn old field just east of Cool Spring, Delaware grows a pumpkin patch. Among the community of pumpkins living in the patch, lives many well known pumpkin families; most notable is the Punky family. Ma & Pa Punky have 4 little gourds … there is Spunky Punky, Chunky Punky, Funky Punky & Hunky Punky (Hunky Punky is the curious one.) Hunky often dreams of breaking free from his vines and setting out into the wide world, yet each day he sits in the same spot only to get hopped over by leap frogs and humiliated by passing birds. “One of these days I’ll get out of this patch,” cried Hunky Punky.

Each night Hunky Punky gazes upon the black sky and pleads his wish upon the occasional shooting star, yet a new day rises and Hunky Punky finds himself in the exact same spot. One night, after his wish, a mysterious light appeared. Hunky Punky gazed in bewilderment at the source of this bright light, for before him hovered a ginger fairy. She was quite beautiful, all dressed in shimmering green, with sparkling little wings … and she carried with her a crystallized wand with which to dispense her magic. She had heard Hunky Punky’s wish and with a wave of her wand (WHOOSH), his wish was granted. Hunky’s shoots and vines dislodged themselves from the patch and turned into odd little plantlike arms and legs that helped him move. An eager Hunky Punky set off into the night to explore.

Minutes into his journey, Hunky Punky noticed something strange, and it wasn’t that his makeshift arms and legs flailed aimlessly about, but rather his outer shell was covered in a sticky, gingery residue … crystallized ginger. This stickiness was sticking to everything he passed over … it was terrible. He flapped his vines and … THWACK, TWHIP, THWUMP … he stumbled through a field of sugar cane. TRIP, FLIP, FLOP, FLAP … he trounced through a grouping of cinnamon sticks. ROLL, POLL, BOWL … he rolled into a stream of vanilla extract and … “HELP” yelled Hunky Punky. HELP, HELP, HELP. Hunky’s dreams of leaving the patch and exploring the world were gone. He lay in a stream of vanilla extract, covered in sticky crystallized ginger with clumps of sugar cane and cinnamon stuck to his sides … how humiliating. A passing red fox heard his cries and offered his assistance. Upon rescuing Hunky Punky, the fox offered to help him back to his cave where he could rest himself for the night and have a dry place to sleep. Not having ever met a fox before, Hunky Punky took him up on his offer.

That’s the last anyone ever saw or heard from Hunky Punky. Except for Mrs. Fox and her 7 little baby foxes … for Mr. Fox was really a baker, and Hunky Punky combined with all that sugar, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla made the finest cookies they ever tasted.

”Hunky Punky” © 2005 Bella’s Cookies, Inc.