Sierra Mountain Times

The Sugar Shack in Sugar Pine

Story and photos by Thomas Atkins

Alicia’s Sugar Shack, a quaint mountain cottage off of Highway 108 in Sugar Pine, has become the place to be. The cozy cabin-like setting in the Sierra is the perfect place to stop on a cold day to find warmth by the woodstove or in a delicious hot beverage. Yet the Shack’s warmth comes from more than just the woodstove heat or a steaming cup of Joe – the entire café has a warm glow about it, topped off with Alicia’s welcoming smile. Whether heading up or down the hill, the Sugar Shack has become a familiar stop for those in search of a bite to eat, a cup of coffee and to soak in the friendly, family atmosphere that is capable of warming one’s heart and soul as well. Upon entering the charming bakery/café, you quickly feel at home as you are greeted with a happy ‘hello’ from Alicia and the Sugar Shack girls, (Mary and Leah).

Alicia’s always ready to serve with a sparkling smile.

“We like to call our customers by name, and get to know new people,” said Alicia Hartle, owner of the Sugar Shack. “It’s a community place, which is something I feel was lacking up here. We needed a neighborhood place to gather.”

Since Alicia opened the Sugar Shack in September of 2007, it has become just that – a place for neighbors to meet their neighbors.

“It’s mostly a “to go” place, but people always hang around to visit. We only have four tables inside, so the dining area fills up fast…and often. It is so fun in the morning when people are starting their day at the Sugar Shack. I am so thankful that people are still coming in. We try really hard. I want to succeed,” said Alicia. “It has also become a little office stop for those with wireless laptops who come in and use the free Internet service to check their emails or whatever. But I like the idea that it is counter service, because it doesn’t create a big commitment. It’s not a restaurant with a waitressing commitment. It’s a coffee house bakery that offers quick counter service so you can take it and go if you need to. But it’s not like a drive-through – you have to get out of your car and say hello to your neighbor.”

Dan and Alicia Hartle stand in front of the wooden door that Dan designed and built for the entrance of the Sugar Shack.

And it is definitely worth getting out of your car. Not only will you find a friendly atmosphere and delicious food, but also you will witness the beautiful woodwork that creates the mountain-hut feeling of the comfy cottage.

“My awesome husband Dan milled all the wood himself,” said Alicia proudly of her husband who operates Dan’s Log and Lumber. “He’s a sawyer and handmade the floors, the tables, the benches, the doors, the cabinets himself. He made everything! He basically gutted the entire building and it has been completely remodeled, including the addition of central heating and air conditioning.”

Beautiful Sierra artwork adorns the walls and coffee is always ready at the Sugar Shack.

Although the wonderful woodwork by Dan’s Log and Lumber and the amazing photographs by Carol and Wendall Stanley of local Sierra scenery will catch your attention, it won’t be long before your eyes are drawn to the tempting treats and pastries behind the glass display case.

“Every day we try to have a nice assortment of pastries,” said Alicia. “Today we have an apple streusel pastry, pecan sticky buns, monster cinnamon rolls, blueberry coffee cake, apple cinnamon and bran muffins, orange or cranberry scones, croissants, cookies, and the famous sweet cheese pastries. The sweet cheese pastries are our specialties. They took awhile to catch on, but now that they have, we sell out of them almost every day. They are a puff pastry with a cream cheese filling similar to a cheesecake and topped with numerous fruit fillings that we make. We go through milk and butter and eggs like crazy! I think we go through about 40 dozen eggs a week!”

Yet whether it is butter or eggs, Alicia is sure to get the best products for her ingredients.

“We use real butter, real cream, real egg…real whole ingredients,” she said proudly. “We try to stay away from anything premade or anything with high fructose corn syrups or anything like that. We try to make everything as natural as possible.”

Alicia greeting customers inside the cozy cabin-like atmosphere.

Not only does Alicia pride herself in using natural ingredients, but the best quality of ingredients as well, which is definitely noticeable after taking a bite out of one of her German chocolate cupcakes.

“My chocolate comes from Albert Uster Imports which is a Swiss company that makes really fine chocolate,” she said. “I like to use the good stuff.”

Yet it is in the room behind the delicious display of pastries where the magic happens and these goodies are perfected.

A tour of Alicia’s new commercial kitchen is quite impressive, and because of the quantity of baked goods they prepare, everything is on a much larger scale than you would find in an ordinary kitchen – from the big bins of sugar and flour to the massive 60-quart mixer, enormous proof box, and 10-rack convection oven to bring the ingredients to life.

“The proof box creates a stellar environment for yeast to grow and helps prepare yeast and doughs overnight for things like croissants and cinnamon rolls,” explained Alicia.

Yet her pride and joy of the kitchen is the pricey espresso machine, which produces delightful cups of Espresso drinks and drinking chocolates such as mochas, lattes, cappuccinos and more.

“I am really in love with the brand of coffee we choose,” said Alicia. “It is Claytons coffee from Modesto – they create such a wonderful, consistent product. People really seem to like it alot.”

Although there are numerous ingredients used to perfect these tasty pastries, a lot of work (and love) goes into them as well, and Alicia and staff arrive at the kitchen before sunrise each morning to prepare and bake. In fact, this kitchen becomes her home ten hours a day; arriving around 4 a.m. each morning to bake and then serving her satisfied customers from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I think that it’s been successful because of the consistency,” said Alicia. “People can come by and know that we will be open every day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they can get what they want when they are heading up or down the hill. We also bake everything fresh everyday. I say everything is baked here, because there are some things where we will bring in dough’s, but we pretty much make everything here.”

The pastries that don’t get snatched up during the day are still up for grabs the following morning in the day old basket.

“People love the day old basket,” said Alicia. “They are only one day old and you get a good deal.”

The Shack will also be making a variety of pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“We always sell the pies, but during this time a year we usually take a whole bunch of orders,” explained Alicia. “Special orders are always welcome.”

Many of these special orders are run through Alicia’s other company called Alicia’s Cake and Catering.

“I do have two companies,” she said. “Alicia’s Cakes and Catering is not visible, but the Sugar Shack is the legal commissary for it. I have dual permits for catering and a restaurant. I am very proud of the catering company. We were named Tuolumne Counties Caterer of the year for 2008. This was a huge award for us. We work really hard.”

However, the Shack and catering service is not just for those who have a sweet tooth. It also offers savory (not sweet menu items) such as: French onion soup, veggie quiche, ham and cheese croissants and big breakfast burritos stuffed with potatoes, cheese and meat. So whether you’re in the mood for a treat or a meal, be sure to stop by the Shack… I guarantee you’ll come back.

Alicia’s Sugar Shack is located at 24191 on Highway 108 in Sugar Pine. It is open every day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, and Easter). For more information, call the Shack at 586-5400 or visit www.aliciassugarshack.com.