Sweet makeover at 4 Rivers The Sweet Shop

Chef-owner John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse, is proud to announce a refresh of The Sweet Shop, his celebrated in-house bakery line of house-made desserts. The relaunch, which introduces an assortment of more than 30 new and updated treats, launched February 22 in 4R smokehouses statewide. The Sweet Shop’s revival comes after months of recipe development alongside Amanda Eubanks, The Sweet Shop’s head baker; Andrea Zelen, Director of Bakery Operations; and Jenny Herbert, Central Bakery Manager.

Launched in 2011, The Sweet Shop has caught national attention for its line of desserts that takes a sophisticated, yet playful spin on America’s favorite junk foods packed into cupcakes like the Mountain Dew and Doritos® Cupcake and the Coca-Cola and Potato Chip Cupcake. The menu’s latest edition packs the same whimsical approach adding a home-grown touch reminiscent of Rivers’ childhood.

“The new desserts are inspired by memories of my favorite bakeries growing up and, of course, my love for sweets,” said Rivers. “I tried to introduce a rustic, homey experience that plays on my childhood nostalgia, while keeping it fun; because after all dessert is the favorite part of most meals!”

The menu will continue to offer its extensive assortment of made-from-scratch cookies, cakes and confections, while adding new flavors to the mix. Guests seeking a sweet fix will enjoy the Mason Jar Desserts ($4.50), an eat in or on-the-go inspired collection of layered treats with flavors such as Brown Butter Strawberry Shortcake, brown butter cake cubes topped with a fresh strawberry filling and piled high with a brown sugar whipped cream and dust of powdered sugar; Lemon Meringue, lemon custard layered with light meringue; and S’mores, rich chocolate mousse layered with graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows, with a perfectly toasted top.

Sugar fanatics will relish the addition of house-made Strawberry Pop Tarts ($2.75), flaky house pie crust filled with gooey strawberry filling and topped with a vanilla glaze and rainbow sprinkles; and Mini Cinnamon Streusel Bundt Cakes ($3.75), butter cake filled with a cinnamon brown sugar center, topped with a crunchy streusel and drizzled in vanilla glaze. The bakery’s savory additions are a snapshot of the South with the Salted Caramel Bourbon and Maple Cookie($2.50), a buttery cookie loaded with chunks of caramel, bourbon maple syrup and pecan pieces; and Buckeyes ($1.99), rich peanut butter center dipped in milk chocolate.

Beloved treats remain with a new look including the Bayou Bar ($2.99), pecan shortbread crust topped with a sweet cream cheese filling; the Classic Brownie($2.99), a rich, fudgy chocolate brownie; and fresh-cut slices of Red Velvet Cake ($4.50), a classic rich red velvet cake filled and frosted in cream cheese frosting.

Originally introduced at 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Longwood, the in-house bakery can now be found in Winter Park, UCF, Gainesville, Orange Park, Jacksonvilleand North Tampa; however, new dessert options will be available in all locations.

For more information regarding the specialty line of cakes and The Sweet Shop, please visit https://4rsmokehouse.com/.