TEMPLE, Texas — Located at 7 West Central Avenue lies Sweet & Savory Seasons...the little bakery that could. Offering tradition and innovation with every creative creation. Proudly displayed on their website are the words ‘Redefining the Art of Baking’ and owner Anita Cooney has every intention of staying true to that statement.
Sweet & Savory Seasons Bakery is no stranger to Temple, having operated out of the Temple Mall since July 2022. The grand opening for their current downtown location was August 15th. The bakery has already been awarded the ‘One of the Best in Central Texas’ 2024 Readers’ Choice Award by the Temple Daily Telegram.
What sets Sweet & Savory apart from other bakeries is its revolving and evolving menu featuring global flavors like the orange fig pistachio baklava and conchas.
“We try to do different countries, and I try to keep things different and change up the flavors,” Cooney said. “Do unique flavors that no one else offers. It's just whatever God puts through my head and that's kind of what we do every day.”
Today’s Morning Munchies was inspired by 6 News Anchor Micah Wilson after he visited Sweet & Savory Seasons Bakery and raved about it on his socials.
“I tore these two cheesecakes up,” he shared. “Like it was no tomorrow!”
Cooney tells 6 News that there is really no way of telling in advance what creations could be coming out the kitchen, other than a timely social media post. If a new sweet or savory treat sells well, she will frequent them on the menu like the scones. If something doesn’t get enough attention, it will likely not return but fret not – if you want something it can be custom ordered.
“Can you make a coconut cream pie with meringue topping with toasted coconut?” Libby Johnston commented on one of Sweet & Savory Seasons’ Facebook posts.
The answer? Yes. Custom ordered of course. From Minecraft cakes to ‘Just Divorced!’ cookies, the options are endless.
“[Customers] would need to call about a week or two weeks in advance to our custom order number or to the store to talk to me,” Cooney said. “It can be whatever they want. I can make anything that anybody could want.”
The custom order phone number is (254) 661-8770.
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Additionally, the ingredients used for these treats change to fit the season. For example, in the fall you’ll find apple cream cheese puff pastries, Apple Cinnamon Raisin scones, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie cupcakes and more!
The bakery’s offerings don’t stop there. Everyday lunch specials feature the likes of panini’s made with whatever bread is on hand – including the two focaccia flavors: olive & specialty herb – soups like a chicken tortilla soup and salad.
So, with all these options and all the baking going on at Sweet & Savory Seasons, the team – and kitchen, must be large.
They’re not.
The bakery is operated by four people including Cooney and her son who helps out when he is not in school. Every morning Cooney begins her shift at 4am to freshly bake the goods for the day. Moreover, the kitchen includes two small ovens.
“We don’t need a big kitchen or a lot of equipment or anything,” Cooney said. “We just do with what we have and leave a smaller footprint on the environment.”
Cooney has decades of culinary experience; previously working as a personal chef at a private Christian school, operating a food truck and opening ‘Cooney’s Cafe’ in Nolanville. The cafe received the Channel 10 Clean Plate award, scored a perfect 100 on its health inspection and similarly offered to cook special orders for customers.
Moving to the Downtown Temple area has been a ‘blessing’ says Cooney. She tells 6 News the community is warm and inviting.
“We are thankful to be here and downtown,” she continues. “It’s exciting and we’re looking forward to it being a long time I hope.”
Sweet & Savory Seasons Bakery is open Monday-Thursday 8a-6p, Friday & Saturday 8a-3p.
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