After Protea-inspired cupcakes had South Africans on social media feeling significantly more proudly South African, Good Things Guy discovered that there was a lot more to these treats from Betty’s Bay than meets the stomach.
From cupcakes that support the local penguin colony to cakes made just for anyone who has a broken heart, take a look at all the special creations Coffee, On Clarence has created as one never-ending love letter to their community:
Betty’s Bay, South Africa (27 March 2024) — There are cupcakes that emulate art and then there are cupcakes that emulate heart. But for a coffee shop in Betty’s Bay, art and heart tend to be the most important ingredients in their endlessly creative cupcake displays. So much so, in fact, that they almost feel like an iced love letter to their community.
Coffee, On Clarence has, for the past 7 years, been a gem in the Betty’s Bay community. Home to artcakes, a Little Library (that’s open round the clock) and even a Dog Library (so dogs can ‘lend’ balls, sticks, toys and treats), the shop prides itself on bringing its community as much joy as possible.
But the proof is in the pudding, and it is expressed no clearer than in the kinds of cupcakes Coffee, On Clarence cooks up regularly.
Recently, the shop’s Protea Cupcakes stole the hearts (and activated all cravings) of South Africans everywhere. Something about how much time it must have taken to create these floral wonders in cupcake form united locals in a way art often does.
“These lovely works of art celebrate the fynbos around us,” says Coffee, on Clarence’s Kristi. “We live in a biosphere and we use the fynbos-themed cupcakes as a reminder of how lucky we are to be here!”
But, as Good Things Guy soon discovered, spreading positivity and unity is not a once-off for this shop.
“We use our cupcakes to spread messages of joy, inspiration, hope and humour,” Kristi beams.
Sometimes, the cupcakes serve a big purpose, like supporting important community causes, from the nearby penguin colony to local artists and the nearby animal shelter.
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In fact, penguin cupcakes are a common treat they whip up to support the colony. The coffee shop has even adopted its own penguin, Pengu.
And sometimes, they are created purely to uplift a community member with incredible attention to the detail of what makes individuals who they are.
For Mrs Brüning, a local artist, sewing-themed cupcakes were created (yes—she got her own cupcake with a tiny sewing machine atop!).
For Ouma Marie who recently turned 100 years old—the shop helped her family surprise her with 50 floral cupcakes.
“She was a florist when she was younger, and we wanted her to be reminded of all the flowers she worked with.”
And when one of their special visitors experienced heartbreak, the only treats that made sense were ‘healing heart cupcakes’ that we’re sure made many sore hearts feel a little less alone.
On other special occasions, black cat cupcakes have stolen the show to spread awareness that black cats and dogs are the least adoptable animals in any shelter; a clever campaign to help drive more pet adoptions.
Even Connor the pooch—who celebrated his second birthday at Coffee, on Clarence, was honoured in cupcake form. Yes, dogs can get their own dog-friendly cupcakes!
Each display in its own special way, has made the Betty’s Bay community a little more proud. A little brighter. A little more seen. And if your art or craft manages to do that—no matter what your skillset is—you’re doing something very right.
Sources: GTG Interview
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