Various traditional Brazilianstyle sweets are just a short drive away to Empire and can be found at a charming pink farmstand off S. Coleman Road.
Cris Bonebrake has been selling Brigadeiros, a traditional Brazilian truffle dessert, since early fall. Along with the scrumptious truffles, Bonebrake also makes desserts like chocolate cake with brigadeiro icing, key lime pie, and chocolate flan cake, just to name a few.
Despite being born and raised in Brazil, Bonebrake said she learned how to make sweets like brigadeiros during the COVID pandemic in 2020. She and her husband, Darryl, moved to Leelanau in June, but Bonebrake said she wanted to learn how to make the dessert while they lived in Florida before they relocated. Learning from videos on YouTube, she was able to teach herself how to make the beloved treat while working remotely, and has perfected her recipes over the years.
When Bonebrake first posted about her farmstand on Facebook in September, she said it was a pleasant surprise to see so many people show up to purchase her sweets. Traditional brigadeiros flavors include chocolate and coconut, but Bonebrake usually offers a number of different flavors at her stand and can customize orders. Other flavors made this season have included everything from peppermint and chocolate, to coffee, eggnog, passion fruit, dulce de leche and cinnamon.
Everything has been a learning process, Bonebrake explained, but she’s looking forward to what the new year ahead will also bring for her treat endeavors.
“The first time (I opened the farmstand) it was so busy here. It was so nice, the community coming to get my sweets, I was like ‘wow, that was amazing,’” Bonebrake said. “That’s why we came up with the name ‘Exotic Treats…’ It’s really nice that we are able to offer something different for people to try, and then they come back and I have regular customers.”
In Florida, Bonebrake said it’s common for bakeries to sell brigadeiros and many people know how to make them at home. When Bonebrake’s husband started with the idea of moving to Michigan, she said she wasn’t sure what she was going to do while she worked from home, so she went all in and learned the techniques she needed to make Brazilian sweets.
“Since I am Brazilian, I thought I need to start using my Brazilian skills…. So I started selling to friends and just giving them out for people to try,” she said. “When I started in Florida, I was volunteering at the time at a shelter, and I would bring them to the volunteers… It’s a little time consuming because I’m a perfectionist, they have to be the same way and they have to look perfect, but I like when I see the final result.”
Moving to Michigan has always been a dream of Bonebrake’s husband, so when the opportunity to buy a property in Benzie County came up, they made the move, taking their three dogs and 11 cats along with them for the ride. As they await for their house to be built, the couple is currently renting a home in Empire across from the Empire Hills Farm property.
“It’s been very different (since relocating), but I got to tell you, I was so sick of the heat and humidity in Florida, and that’s something I don’t miss at all. I don’t mind the cold, I am actually loving this cold weather…” she said. “In Florida, we don’t have the four seasons, so I was so excited about fall. Everywhere we went was just so beautiful and colorful and I think spring will be beautiful, too.”
When their house is completed, Bonebrake said they will continue to operate out of Leelanau County. She said the owner of Empire Hills Farm, Michele Morris, sells flowers, vegetables, and eggs on her property and the Brazilian sweets will most likely be for sale alongside those products around April or May.
“I love this location, but I can’t wait to move into my own house. Our house is going to be so close,” she said.
Until the Bonebrakes’ make the move again into their new home, people can still expect to find sweets of all kinds for sale at the noticeable pink stand located at 13333 S. Coleman Road. There will always be a few things available unless its snowing or raining out, she added, but people are always welcome to come and pick them up if they prefer as well. Those interested in purchasing some sweets can also follow the business Facebook page “Exotic Treats” to see what’s in stock or to contact Bonebrake directly.
“My plan (next year) is to attend at least two farmers markets and still have my cart out and see where this is going to take me,” she said. “I will be open as long as the weather allows. I’m just grateful that people stop in to get some treats.”
