Bethlehem is about to get a little sweeter as Angela Malpedo returns to the bakery scene.
The runner-up on Food Network’s Chopped Sweets will open Frosted Chaos at 518 Long St., in the former Granola Factory space.
The space holds personal meaning for Malpedo, as it’s where she began her bakery journey.
“Eighteen years ago, there was an ad on Craigslist for this local bakery in Bethlehem, the Granola Factory. They were looking for an experienced baker. I remember I walked into this bakery with no experience, just a passion for baking. They gave me the opportunity,” Malpedo told Whatnow Philadelphia.
Malpedo opened her first brick-and-mortar Sugar Babe Cupcakes location in downtown Bethlehem in 2012 after starting the business online. She later relocated the bakery before closing for good in 2017, around the time her father became ill.
She also appeared on Food Network’s Bakers vs. Fakers in 2018 and Chopped Sweets in 2020. Years earlier, Mapedo unsuccessfully tried to give cupcakes to security outside Bethenny Frankel’s former daytime talk show, Bethenny. The moment later came full circle when her cupcakes became part of Frankel’s birthday celebration almost three years ago.
During Malpedo’s hiatus and time in the corporate world, a lot of people asked her if she’d ever consider opening another bakery, to which she said, “It’d have to be the right scenario or space.”
This past April, Malpedo found the perfect opportunity.
She met up with a friend she had met at the Granola Factory years ago to catch up and unexpectedly reconnected with Sue, the former owner of the business. Malpedo asked about the space after learning Sue had sold the business to their son, who moved operations to a warehouse.
“It all came full circle. I took a leap and left my consulting job. I just knew this was the time to do it. I’ve always loved it here and this truly feels like I’m coming back home,” she said.
Frosted Chaos was born again.
Malpedo and her husband revamped the former space, giving the shop an interior featuring exposed brick and cinder block walls with black accents to create a “fresh, clean” look.
“We’re trying to keep everything very neutral because the product will be the stars of the show,” Malpedo said.
Frosted Chaos will offer a rotating selection of its signature cupcakes, cookies, brownies, crumb cakes and muffins, along with a coffee program.
The shop will also include baking accessories and celebration items in partnership with Malpedo’s friend Brianna Lasko, owner of Lovely by Brianna, a home goods shop on Main Street in Bethlehem.
Malpedo looks forward to welcoming back familiar faces while meeting new ones.
“As I begin this new chapter, I carry my Dad with me, because he believed in this dream long before I ever did. I can’t wait to welcome you back,” she said in an Instagram post.
Malpedo hopes to open the shop by late September or early October. Once open, Frosted Chaos will operate Thursday through Sunday, serving customers from early morning until it sells out.
Follow Frosted Chaos on Instagram for the latest updates.
