April 20, 2021

Among the many things swirling inside pastry chef Keyes Clemmer’s head today is this:

Will her new dessert bar have any desserts left after opening day?

That would be a mixed blessing of a problem, of course, and not likely given how prolific she can be in the kitchen.

But one look at the cases beginning to fill inside Prairie Cocoa & Confections, and you understand where she’s coming from.

The space that opens at 11 am. Wednesday at 8th & Railroad Center will be filled with a lineup of desserts and beverages unlike anything Sioux Falls has seen — including some surprises.

Like this: Clemmer just announced she’s carrying “cake on a cup,” which combines cake with a lemonade that includes fruit caviar.

There’s the “Big Blue Sioux ” with blue and purple velvet cake and the “Prairie Sunset” with peach and pink velvet and vanilla.

“I wish it was my idea, but it’s been a huge rage in Asia the last couple of years, and I’ve been dying to do it,” Clemmer said.

“Your cake has to be a certain formula, or it crumbles when you put the straw through it.”

She also will open with her line of cocoa cups, which are cookies shaped like shot glasses in M&Ms, Heath and chocolate chip.

“If you’ve had a rough day, you can get a stiff shot of milk,” she said.

Other featured desserts in the case on opening day will include a Ferrero Rocher cheesecake, Limoncello entremet and chocolate rose cafe truffle.

Ready for more?

Here’s a vanilla confetti cake with a sugar cookie topper.

And honey cream cookie cakes.

“All of our desserts we’ll have 100 percent available tomorrow,” Clemmer said.

For those looking for something a bit more traditional, there’s everything from monster cookies to cocoa bombs.

Here’s a look at the beverage menu, which features distilled cocktails, crafted cocktails, handcrafted lemonades and create-your-own lemonades. There’s also a line of “dirty sodas” that blend soft drinks with creams and syrups.

An “over the top” hot chocolate will come with whipped cream, a mountain of cotton candy, lollipops, rock candy, animals crackers and “all kinds of stuff going on the top,” Clemmer said.

The space is set up so there are various seating areas while also being easy for grab-and-go business.

Clemmer also will continue to sell her edible art at the Falls Park Farmers Market.

She and Courtney Weeldreyer, who is a partner in the business, have hired some staff members but are looking for more.

To start, hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 or 9:30 p.m Friday and Saturday, with plans to expand.