From the chocolate-coated pretzel stick bundles to the glittering red candied apples to the coaster-sized turtles actually molded to resemble turtles, Sweet Experience Ice Cream and Gourmet Treats has made sure that there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth in town.
Faced with the dilemma of where to start, owner Tera Johnson told us that since she purchased the business in December she’s been continuing the traditions of the shop’s previous owners, Royal Cravings (now doing wholesale business).
But the assortment of $5 cheesecakes and puddings in a jar — “That’s mine,” she said.
So we started with the banana pudding: vanilla wafers, bananas, and long-stirred homemade custard packed so tightly that it takes some effort to dig through the layers of lusciousness to get a generous spoonful of everything in one mouthful.
Next, we couldn’t resist balls of peanut butter with a chocolate base for $6. They’re called “buckeyes,” but they are about 10 times the size of any you’ve seen before and almost deserve their own unique name.
Ms. Johnson proudly claims to make Toledo’s largest buckeyes, which are the size of tennis balls. And they’re so smooth, with the tiniest flecks of texture, that they’re absolutely decadent. If you’re someone who brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school every day throughout childhood and happily eats peanut butter straight from the jar, you need to try these.
A customer who bought a candied apple for $6 was surprised when Ms. Johnson told her they’re available all year ‘round; ordinarily, these are fair foods or seasonal treats at Halloween.
The caramel apples, for the same price, come with an array of different coatings — chocolate, white chocolate drizzle, chocolate chips, peanuts, and more. Ms. Johnson said that the best seller is the Heath bar.
Well, we always take the cook’s or baker’s advice when asking for recommendations.
The caramel coating is thin and rich, and the toffee pieces stayed perfectly in place when biting into the crisp apple. Ms. Johnson specifically chooses Granny Smiths, whose tartness offers a nice contrast to the sweets.
Finally, because we hadn’t yet gone into sugar shock, we simply couldn’t resist one particular ice cream flavor: the aptly-named for these trying times Exhausted Parent — a much-needed boost of bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream swirled with bittersweet chocolate chunks.
Swoon.
A cup or cone ranges from $3.50 for a regular-sized scoop of premium ice cream to $5.50 for a king-sized serving of “extra special treats” (non-dairy, yogurt, and no sugar added varieties).
Of the 38 ice cream varieties, eight are vegan, Ms. Johnson said — and that includes a cookies ‘n’ cream so rich you’d think there was cream cheese in it, as well as cones and waffle cones. The store has a brand new freezer, so she plans to expand even further upon the plant-based ice cream options.
Ms. Johnson is a heavy equipment operator when not at the shop, but Sweet Experience is her “passion,” she said.
After sampling the deliciousness at her shop, we accused her of being a temptress.
“That’s my job!” Ms. Johnson said with a bright smile and absolutely no shame.
Sweet Experience Ice Cream and Gourmet Treats, 2111 N. Reynolds Rd., 567-315-8431, sweetexperience.net.
First Published June 24, 2020, 4:00 a.m.
