Ben Fink Photography

Rachel Schifter Thebault knows how to accesorize, whether she's dressing up a cake or a cute oufit.

“Sweet Chic” a Must for Fashionistas in the Kitchen

As proven by D.C. native Rachel Schifter Thebault—head confectionist and owner of Tribeca Treats—fashion can quite literally be applied to anything … even baking.

We recently received a copy of her new cookbook, Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress up for Any Occasion, which compares fashion staples to baking necessities, such as the sophisticated buttermilk cookies (pearl earrings) to vanilla icing (the ever dependable ballet flats). Even though she’s a New York girl now, women everywhere can relate to sweet treats and an overflowing wardrobe.

WF: How did you get the idea to relate fashion to baking?

RST: I knew I was going to write a cookbook that was based on being able to master one base recipe and then change it up so you can be a lot more versatile in your baking. People do that a lot in cooking, but they’re not as comfortable in doing that where baking is concerned because there’s a lot more precision involved in baking.

I was describing that concept to some friends and one of them said, “Oh yeah, it’s just like one outfit five ways.” And I said, “That’s exactly what it is!”

From there, it all poured out, the chocolate cake is the little black dress and so on. It became really fun to write the book, because of all of those analogies seemed completely straightforward as I was going through it.

It’s always been a hobby and interest of mine. Living in New York I know a lot of people who are in the fashion industry, and as an investment banker, I had a lot of apparel retail clients, but really the connection was more just brainstorming and talking about it with friends.

WF: What’s your own go-to-outfit and recipe?

RST: My go-to outfit just because I’m always running around and working is a pair of jeans, some ballet flats and a comfortable shirt and sweater. To go out on the weekends, I dress up a little more. With my jeans I might throw on a pair of heels or a silk blouse.

My go to-recipe in the book is definitely the chocolate cake. I love it because it’s not a butter-based cake, so it’s really easy to do at a vacation home or in situations where you might not be sure what kind of kitchen equipment you’ll have access to. If I’m on vacation with friends and invited to someone’s home and I want to whip something up, it’s easy. You can change it up to be the mini s’mores cupcakes, which are fun for a casual party, or you can make it into the rich chocolate ganache cake, which is great for a romantic dinner or special occasion. It’s one of the most versatile recipes.

And your absolute favorite indulgence?

I would have to say really good loaded cheese fries. I work with lots of sweets,  so when I indulge it’s usually more on the savory side.

One thing I love is when you admit that boxed brownie mix isn’t such a bad thing, which most bakers would cringe at. What are some other out-of-the-box things you do as a baker?

When people are nervous about making a birthday cake or something homemade, you can get a boxed cake mix and just make your own icing. The cake mixes are basically just dry, measured ingredients, and you’re still using fresh ingredients such as  eggs and butter, so it doesn’t compromise a lot of flavor to use a boxed cake mix. But the icing, because jars of icing have a lot of preservatives, that’s where you can tell the difference between homemade and store-bought confections.

And out of all of them, what was your favorite analogy in the book?  

The “It Bag” (caramel). I like that whole Confections chapter. It’s all those pieces that you wouldn’t necessarily need in your wardrobe but make such a difference if you do. I say in the book, “You can go through life without making a chocolate truffle or confection, the same way you don’t need a leather jacket or stiletto heels, but those wardrobe items are what separates the It Girl from the girl next door.” I just had a lot of fun with that chapter. They aren’t the easiest recipes but they just become really cool things to make.

So after graduating college, you moved into the city. What are some of your favorite things about D.C.?

It’s funny because I loved growing up in D.C., and always thought that I would go back and raise my family there. But I became so addicted to New York, and I love them both for such different reasons.

One of the things I love best about D.C. is that you have the convenience of the city you can walk to restaurants and hop onto public transportation, but you have the openness of the suburbs. People can have yards and park their cars, and there are the benefits of that with the convenience of living in a city. And I do love the Redskins. I’m still a huge Redskins fan, and I am trying to raise my daughter as Skins fans, which is definitely difficult in New York.

Catch Rachel at the Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie (5300 Wisconsin Ave.) Thursday night during D.C.'s "Fashion Rules!" party, where she’ll be signing her book and doling out free delectable mini-cupcakes and cookies. The new spring line from Christian Louboutin will be on display, too, and those who buy a designer pair will get a complimentary monogrammed shoe bag. Open to the public, but please RSVP to “rsvpwashington@neimanmarcus.com.”