Shop, dream in a bakery Wonderland

Once upon a time there was a magical dreamland with cascading chocolate fountains, sea-foam green vistas, glittery walkways and a pretty blond princess waving her wand at the castle gates. Everything in the magical world was deliciously sweet -- swirled lollipops, creamy caramel, whipped fluffy icing, and moist and chewy snicker doodle cookies -- and that made its inhabitants happy.

This fairy tale, dreamt up by the mother-and-daughter team of Sondra and Allyson Ames, came true in the fall when Wonderland Bakery opened at the Bluffs shopping center in Newport Beach.

The amazing bakery provides everyone who walks through its door a return to their childhood dream world, where they can escape reality and remember that life can be sweet.

The bakery’s ingredients: one part Candyland board game, two parts “Wizard of Oz’s� yellow-brick road and a sprinkling of “Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.� Feathers, glitter, pastels and iridescent accents add to the fairy-tale decor. There’s even a three-dimensional likeness of Allyson as a beautiful princess, waving her wand (in this case, a wooden mixing spoon) near a confectionary castle and toy train.

The only thing missing: a wicked witch or nightmarish troll. But that wouldn’t be sweet, would it?

Allyson, 20, grew up in Newport Beach with a wooden spoon in one hand and a pot holder in the other. Sondra recalls that Allyson, at age 6, would wake her up to take breakfast orders.

“She’d spend endless hours in the kitchen, making French toast, cooking meals, and always making things, pretty, fun and delicious,� said Sondra, whose background in global trading and philanthropic involvements round-out the bakery’s business side. “It was her way of expressing herself.�

Allyson also prepared treats and tasty foods at her mother’s charity meetings, and even founded a chocolate shop when she was all of 17.

Allyson is the master baker and already has a nice list of accomplishments. She competed in the Art Institutes’ Best Teen Chef in America contest in New York City, and she’s a graduate of the Culinary Art Institute of America in Orange County. She’s baked treats served at the Emmys, Grammys and movie premieres.

At Wonderland, you can choose from gift containers ready to be filled with award-winning cookies, jumbo pizza-sized cookies, French pastries, cakes, s’mores bars, and triple chocolate toffee bars. There are also Granny Smith apples, long-stemmed strawberries and pretzels waiting to be dipped in milk chocolate, white chocolate or caramel, and even rolled in Oreo cookies crumbs.

And there are vegan, sugar free, Kosher, low-carb cookies and desserts available.

Cookie prices range from $3.75 to $8; brownies and dessert bars are $5; dipped items start at $3.95; cakes start at $35; and French pastry desserts are $7.

Stop in for a simple sweet-tooth fix by picking up a chocolate chip cookie extreme, a triple chocolate brownie, or a sweet and crumbly berry stack dessert bar. Or find irresistible Valentine’s Day treats, such as heart-shaped cookies, pink-hued white chocolate treats, decorated cupcakes, or even chocolate dipped strawberries spelled out to say, “I Love You.�

Artistry is Wonderland’s forte. They can create custom cookie designs and offer more than 700 shapes of cookies. Party favor cookies are personalized with coordinating colors and decor. And unique wrappings complement color schemes and themes.

Wonderland Bakery also provides cookies with custom logos for corporations, charities and private events. An edible digital printing technology produces branded cookies packaged in keepsake tins, providing organizations a great way to promote their messages.

Wonderland also offers cookie-to-go decorating trays for home parties, or even an ultimate private party package for groups up to 20 inside the store.

The party includes custom invitations, decorations, balloons, cake, pizza, juice, goodie bags, and three theme cookies for guests to decorate, and a chocolate fountain experience. Allyson prepares sample designs and visits with party guests. And there’s a keepsake personalized party tin, and custom poster for guests to sign. This cookie extravaganza event costs $75 per guest with a $1,500 minimum charge.

FYI

WHAT: Wonderland Bakery

* WHERE: The Bluffs Shopping Center, 1314 Bison, at MacArthur in Newport Beach

* WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday for private Wonderland Bakery Adventure Parties

* INFO: (949) 640-9095 or www.wonder landbakery.com. Local delivery and nationwide shipping is available.20060203iu36phnc(LA)Wonderland Bakery owners Allyson Ames, left, and Sondra Ames