Susan Sarich has built a burgeoning bakery empire based on upscale versions of childhood favorites and sleek design. SusieCakes has already thrived in Brentwood and Calabasas, and Sarich has found early success in Newport Beach, yet another upscale community.

Sarich has gained justifiable acclaim for her red velvet cake, frosting-filled cupcakes and banana pudding with vanilla wafers. The store’s fruit pie changes monthly. For July, it was blueberry crumble. Sadly, pies are not available by the slice.

Frosting-filled cupcakes were tempting in the display case, especially chocolate mint, peanut butter and strawberry.

Their red velvet cupcake stood out for the striking color and supple texture.

Whoopie pie is a rich, devastating New England standby, but it’s hard to imagine they have it so good in Maine. At SusieCakes, two dense chocolate cookies sandwiched vanilla buttercream.

It was a tough choice between red velvet and carrot cake. We opted for a moist carrot cake slab studded with carrots, raisins, golden raisins and walnuts and liberally slathered with vanilla frosting.

SusieCakes has seamlessly adjusted to the Newport Beach highlands. Given Sarich’s powerhouse desserts, it’s no surprise. My only regret is that I ate too large a lunch to be able to enjoy more of her baked goods.