Charles Koh
SEATTLE, WA – Autumn Martin has wowed us with her unique and innovative confections, forward thinking flavor combinations, and the all-around deliciousness of her sweet treats. This May, she takes her creativity one step further with the opening of Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery, an 1.800 square-foot bricks and mortar dessert shop and wholesale production headquarters.
Martin is taking dessert to a whole new level, focusing her shop concept on the tried and true dessert that gave Hot Cakes its name – Molten Chocolate Cake. Martin has had much success selling her take-and-bake molten cakes in mason jars and decided to create a place where molten cakes are baked to order and toppings are abundant!
Located in Seattle’s historic Ballard neighborhood on thriving Ballard Avenue, the dessert shop will be a hybrid between classic soda fountain shop and dessert cafe and will also serve cocktails!
Martin plans to serve high quality, organic comfort desserts and confections in addition to the cookies, pocket pies, and molten chocolate cake that have earned her a devoted following. Guests can look forward to items like spicy chile molten cake, grilled chocolate sandwiches with salted caramel dipping sauce, classic favorites like crème brûlée, bread pudding, milkshakes, hand-rolled truffles and salted butter toffee, plus a selection of delicious toppings to adorn the molten chocolate cakes. Martin will also offer a small selection of savory items for when the mood strikes. Creative cocktails and boozy milkshakes will also be on the menu.
The dessert shop will seat about 26 guests, including six counter spots. Guests will order from the counter and then grab a seat or take treats to go.
“We’ll get people stopping by for a cookie to sneak into the movie theatre,” says Martin. “And also those who want to sit for a bit and enjoy a cocktail and dessert or a milkshake after a show. We’ll be the dessert shop that has something for everyone, kids and adults alike.”
Mallet Construction is doing the build-out of the dessert shop, located at 5427 Ballard Avenue NW, with Martin jumping in to help along the way.
“I love working hard and using my hands,” says Martin. “And I’m no stranger to physical labor, so helping to grind floors or demo walls and getting to be involved in the build-out is awesome! I feel very lucky to have a team of friends and family who have been willing to get dirty too.”
Born and raised in Washington, Martin spends much of her time in the outdoors enjoying the beauty and natural rescores that surround her. She plans to incorporate her northwest heritage into the design of the space by using wood with stories, stained a rich dark brown to build the bar counter, tables, stools, and banquets.
“The space will be warm with buttercream-colored walls, dark woods and soft lighting,” says Martin. “It will be inviting and friendly, kind of country with a bit of clean sophistication.”
All production of the Hot Cakes products will move to the shop when it opens. Martin plans to teach chocolate making classes and use the production kitchen area as an intimate event space. Think molten chocolate cake birthday parties!
Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery will be open Monday thru Thursday from 4pm to 10pm and until 11pm on Friday. Weekends the shop will open at 8am and serve until 11pm on Saturday and 10pm on Sunday. The dessert shop will feature a retail section with Hot Cakes’ line of organic dessert sauces such as their popular salted caramel sauce, take-and-bake molten chocolate cakes in mason jars, and other delicious confections.
Hot Cakes Confections was founded in 2008 by chocolatier Autumn Martin. A fourth generation Washingtonian, Ms. Martin is deeply committed to farmers and growers and uses only the best organic and natural ingredients in her creations. Ms. Martin’s original Hot Cakes creation, a take-and-bake molten chocolate cake in a mason jar, plus a line of organic salted caramel sauces and chocolate sauce, are available at select specialty stores and markets in the Seattle area. Hot Cakes is honored with the 2010 and 2011 People’s Choice Award for “Best Dessert” from the Northwest Chocolate Festival. To learn more or order Hot Cake products online, visit www.getyourhotcakes.com.
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