For Chef Amanda Schonberg, “taking a shot” has a whole new meaning. 
The face behind Chef Schonberg’s Sweets, this culinary creative has found success baking “sweets designed with adults in mind.”
Her alcohol-infused and artfully decorated confections give customers a taste of their favorite liquor and dessert in one bite.
Rising to popularity now are her alcohol-infused cupcakes, made in Louisiana-inspired flavors like Boozy Bride (a riff on New Orleans-style wedding cake, this almond liqueur cupcake is topped with a Disaronno buttercream); and Bourbon St. Boy (a chocolate bourbon cupcake made with Maker’s Mark, a chocolate fudge buttercream and a cherry topping), plus other fun flavors.
The cupcakes’ specific alcohol flavor remains strong even when some of its content bakes out.
“We like to bake low and slow, so that some of the essence still remains,” Schonberg says. “But, aside from putting it in baked goods, we also always add it to the frosting. So there’s a double dose. I hate for people to buy something and not be able to taste it.”
Schonberg’s inspiration behind baking with liquor came from her mother’s pound cake recipe made with Disaronno and cherry juice. The chef took the family staple and began experimenting with other alcohol flavors in pound cake. After the cakes grew a following, Schonberg began getting requests for something lighter—resulting in cupcakes.
Her flavor combinations are inspired by her fans’ favorite spirits.
“It all comes from the customers telling me what they like and the flavors that are down here in the South,” she says.
After deciding to follow her passion for cooking, Schonberg attended BRCC and graduated with a degree in service management. Her sweets business started as a side hustle while working at Costco. Today, the chef uses the management and marketing skills she gained working in corporate kitchens to operate her licensed cottage bakery.
“Your success comes from what you do outside of the kitchen,” she adds.
Cupcakes are baked fresh to order and are typically purchased by the dozen. Local delivery is available. chefschonberg.com
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Others to try
Spiked Scoops
Operating online and out of an ice cream truck, Omar James sells alcohol-infused ice creams, gelatos and sorbets in nearly 30 different seasonal flavors. Try the Carrot Cake with Spiced Rum; the Pineapple Upside Down Cake; or the Wedding Bliss. spiked-scoops.myshopify.com
This article was originally published in the February 2022 issue of 225 magazine.