ST CROIX — For classic Virgin Islands pastries steeped in history and tradition, The Sweet Stuff is the go-to spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. Local fruit tarts, Vienna cake, red grout and benyes are a small sampling of local, hard-to-find sweets found in Christiansted’s newest storefront. This family-owned business began in 2013 in their home kitchen. Owner & CEO Xanthia Jacobs recalled that it all began when her daughter, Xaia Todmann, returned home from culinary school.
Orders for cakes and cupcakes from friends and family were pouring in and Jacobs offered to help Todmann with the prep work. This unlocked a core childhood memory for Jacobs of when she would help her late grandmother in the kitchen. A call to her aunt in Maryland resulted in the cherished gift of her grandmother’s recipes. “I tried the tarts, and they came out perfectly… made me reminisce about when I was a little girl in my grandmother’s kitchen,” said Jacobs. From there, The Sweet Stuff was born and quickly made a name for itself as the mainstay for traditional Crucian pastries and sweets. Jacobs proposed to the gas station near her home to start carrying their fruit tarts in guava, coconut and pineapple. It was such a hit that other gas stations, stores and restaurants placed orders for weekly deliveries of their items.
In celebration of their sixth year in business,The Sweet Stuff opened their first storefront location on June 7th in the Richmond Courtyard near downtown Christiansted. Many of the classic Crucian sweets found at The Sweet Stuff is only available at festivals, fairs and other seasonal events around the island. Thanks to this mother-daughter baking duo, you can experience these items each week with a visit to their pastry shop. One of their standout items is a dessert that ties back to St. Croix’s connection to Denmark. Red grout is a guava tapioca pudding with layers of creamy tapioca pudding and guava filling. This local adaptation of Danish rødgrød–a compote in Denmark made from red currants and/or strawberries thickened with potato starch–was traditionally served on Transfer Day. It is also available in passion fruit and can be found regularly at The Sweet Stuff.
The Sweet Stuff also makes baked goods for a variety of celebrations from birthdays to anniversaries and retirement. Their Sweet Deal package includes one six-inch cake and one dozen cupcakes, or a one-quarter glam sheet cake in vanilla, chocolate, Vienna, pistachio, cream or red velvet flavors. During the month of December, they have traditional holiday treats available like sweet bread and guavaberry tarts.
Find The Sweet Stuff in bright yellow building at 130 Estate Richmond near downtown Christiansted in the Richmond Courtyard. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday from 11am to 6pm. To learn more, visit their website at www.thesweetstuffvi.com or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thesweetstuffvi.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard
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