Midland Dessert Bar Offers Low-Sugar Treats

CBS 7 News
By Beau Berman
July 28, 2008

It’s not easy to find healthy baked goods for those with diabetes. But a new bakery in Midland is offering them a menu full of tasty options. The owners call it a “dessert bar” but it offers everything from cookies to croissants.

After opening up just 5 weeks ago in the Midland Plaza the cash has been coming in as fast as Candi Cooper can get her treats out of the oven and she’s not complaining.

"When someone who's diabetic comes in and sees that we have Coconut Cream Pie with Splenda you can see their face light up, because they thought they would never be able to enjoy that on that level ever again”, Cooper says.

With assistance from UTPB’s Small Business Development Center, Candi and her sisters Monica and DeLancy are the owners of Midland’s “Sweet Soul Dessert Bar” where sugar-free cookies, brownies and cakes are all in the mix.

"You're part of our family and we want to hear your story and once you tell us you're diabetic... you walk in here again and you try to order something with sugar we're not gonna let you... it's not gonna happen,” cooper says.

While the no-sugar-added treats at the Sweet Soul Dessert Bar are a healthy alternative for those looking to cut down on sugar and calories, they also offer “regular” treats that have sugar and taste just as good. Customers have been pouring in the store.

"It's the Aww feeling... you get from chocolate or anything that's sweet... but it's sugar free... it's great”, said customer Sharon Bishop.

Customers and Medical officials both agree that this dessert bar is a sweet find. Physician’s Assistant Paul Medina believes the store will do well.
"Finding places like this... extremely difficult… especially in West Texas because the diets here, generally are higher in fat... and higher in salt", Medina said.

For now the only location is in Midland but that my change.

"Be on the lookout for Sweet Soul in Odessa... that's all I'll say!”, said Cooper.

 

Story located at CBS 7 .