Sweet Alchemy is a European-style dessert lab and bakery in Christchurch, rated 5.0 from 12 Google reviews. The website describes cakes, pastries and desserts, including brioche cinnamon rolls, roulades, gateaux and koláče, and it offers hands-on group and one-on-one baking classes. Reviewers mention the honey cake with its layers of sponge and honey cream, and the pastries and cakes bought at markets or by the slice.
Layered European cakes take careful planning, because each sponge and cream needs to be the right texture and temperature. Pastries are best eaten on the day they are baked, while a cake with fresh cream should be kept cool. A baking class is a good way to learn the techniques, and it suits beginners as well as keen cooks. Regulars often try a new cake each visit to learn the house style.
Sweet Alchemy suits Christchurch dessert lovers and home bakers who want European-style cakes or a hands-on baking class.