Since taking over Macaroni KID Winter Garden-Ocoee in June, I've met so many talented people in our community. Katie is one of these people, a mom and grandma who is continuously "baking" her dreams come true. She baked and created beautiful cookies for my sister's baby shower, perfect to the bear and woodland theme. Get to know the baker behind Katie's Holiday Sweets 'n Treats. Save her contact info when ordering for your next celebration!
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Hi Katie! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. What's your favorite thing to bake?
My favorite thing to bake…..hmmmm…. I would have to say everything!! I just love baking!! Doing this has been a dream of mine for years!
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How did you get into baking?
I have always loved baking! When my children were young, I loved going through the cookbook, making very basic recipes, but really enjoyed doing it. As my children got older, I spread my wings a bit and started baking for friends and family and I just loved it.
What kind of training/preparation did you do to become a baker/cookie maker?
I am a self taught baker/cookier. For years, I strictly followed recipes. Then as instructional videos came online, I LOVED to watch new techniques and learned how to change things up. There's always something new to learn and I'm constantly searching for new content.
What options do you offer that we should all be aware of?
I started making drop cookies...chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc. I make a lot of trays of those for the holidays. Decorated sugar cookies have become a big part of my business now. I also do cakes. A customer will give me their theme and we collaborate together on what they want, then I go for it!
Wow, that is a lot of options! What are drop cookies?
Drop cookies are any cookie that’s not cut out with a cutter or cooked like a pan cookie and cut into squares. I make chocolate chip, oatmeal, soft sugar, peanut butter and more!
Do you make any gluten-free options?
Yes! I can make gluten free cakes, chocolate chip cookies, no bake chocolate cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, coconut macaroons, chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge.
What advice do you have for our families with children who love baking and may want to do that as a career one day?
The best advice I have is to be prepared. Have great recipes, good tools and a place to make it happen. Baking takes up a lot of space. Your supplies and while you're baking really eat up your kitchen space. Also, be extremely savvy on social media. I am truly blessed that my daughter help me with this. You have to really be able to sell yourself.
As a mom, what are some fun ideas moms (and dads!) can do in the kitchen with their children?
I am a mom of two and grandma of two!! The best way to include your children (or grandchildren!) is to let them be completely involved. When my grands were babies, I had them on the counter with me (safely) when I was rolling out pie dough for family Thanksgiving or I let them play in the dough when I was making them cookies. As they grew, I had a stool they could stand on next to me so they could participate. They love to squeeze out the frosting, add doodads to cookies, even stir the dough....until their arms get too tired! Now they're big enough to stand next to me and their favorite thing to do is make chocolate chip cookies. I love it when they want to help grandma. And they love helping and getting to take their fav chocolate chip cookies home with them!
What is the hardest order you ever had to fill?
My hardest order was the first time I did a two-tiered cake. That was a huge learning curve, but it all turned out beautiful!
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What is the most unique or funnest (or both) order you've completed?
The order that I had the most fun with was for a one-year-old's birthday party. Momma wanted a sculpted lion, monkey and elephant to sit on the cake. I LOVED doing that!!
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How/where did you learn the artistic aspects of your baking?
My husband and I owned our own business for 38 years, which was in the creative arts/decorative painting industry. So, all of my adult life I was deeply connected with art. I did decorative painting for years, so I have that in my back pocket. To pivot that to my baking, I became a student of YouTube. I watched endless videos on "how to". And I love to just create!
What is your favorite type of dessert?
My personal very favorite dessert is German Chocolate cake. That's what my Mom would make me for my birthday every year that she was still with us. Now, I make my own German Chocolate cake for my birthday!
How do you try new baking creations?
Whenever I try something new, it goes to my daughter’s family. My daughter, her hubby and two boys are my taste testers and give me a yay or nay or what they would like to see tweaked.
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Want to make an order with Katie?
Send an email and be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram for her latest baking creations!
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