Meet Me at The Lanai

Brown Butter Apple Blondies, Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk,  Brown Butter Walnut Chocolate Chip Fall is creeping in (slowly, like a cat that knows it’s about to pounce), and that means cozy season is officially here. What better way to settle into the week than with a menu full of hugs disguised as baked goods? We’ve been tinkering away in the kitchen—rolling, whisking, and taste-testing (the hardest part, obviously)—and excited to share what’s coming out of the oven for you. Let’s take a peek at this week’s Crafty Menu at St. Denis Medical: Chocolate Sprinkle Sugar, M&M, Reese's Peanut Butter, Brown Butter Apple Blondie  🍪 Cookies:   (Because one is never enough) * GF Chocolate Chunk – Proof that gluten-free doesn’t mean fun-free. Big, melty chocolate chunks = instant mood lift. * M&M – Bright little candy gems baked into buttery cookie dough. Childhood nostalgia, but for grown-ups who know how to pace themselves (or not). * Brown Butter Walnut Chocolate Ch...

Lemon Thyme Bundt Cake Not every birthday cake has to be layers of frosting and candles—and honestly, that’s what makes this one so special. For a recent celebration, I got to bake a Lemon Thyme Bundt Cake drizzled with lemon thyme glaze , and it turned out to be the perfect sweet surprise for a September birthday. 🌟 A Cake with a Little Glam This cake came with a fun request: the birthday star loves Art Deco. Instead of sharp angles and skyscraper designs, I translated that style into cake with shimmering gold balls in all different sizes; like a little slice of the Roaring ‘20s on the dessert table. Who says birthday cakes can’t sparkle with personality? Bundt for a Birthday? Yes, Please! Bundt cakes don’t usually get the spotlight for birthdays, but they should. Their shape has natural elegance, and when paired with the right flavor, they shine just as bright as a traditional layer cake. This Lemon Thyme Bundt Cake was zesty, fragrant, and refreshing—like sunshine baked right in. ...

🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEKKI!!! FROM ST. DENIS MEDICAL  🎉 T his September, I had the joy (and challenge!) of baking a birthday cake for St. Denis Medical star Mekki Leeper . If you’ve watched the show, you know his character “ Matt ” has his fair share of quirky moments—but one of my favorites was when Matt broke out a full-on magic act for the talent show on Season 1 Ep13. It was unexpected, awkward, and completely hilarious… basically perfect birthday cake inspiration. Every cake I make is special, but this one was a chance to get extra creative—and I couldn’t resist leveling up with a buttercream transfer for the cake décor. Frosting + Funny Business = Buttercream Transfer To honor that magician moment, I found a still from the show, turned it into a cartoon rendering, and then recreated it on the cake using a buttercream transfer. Yes, you read that right—I basically painted with frosting. It involved mixing colors like I was back in art class, only this time the medium was sugar ...

This week’s St. Denis Medical crafty menu is filled with buttery goodness and a few fun twists. I’m mixing up the lineup and bringing shortbread cookies into the spotlight. Each one is tender, crumbly, and melts in your mouth in that classic shortbread way—but with flavors that take them to the next level. And just wait until you meet the brand-new Biscoff Cinny Roll !! Whether you’re searching for gluten free cookies, a fresh take on shortbread, or a cozy artisan cinnamon roll, this week’s menu has something warm, delicious, and homemade: Gluten Free Cherry Chocolate Shortbread  🍒 GF Cherry Chocolate Shortbread with Melted Chocolate Drizzle A tender gluten free shortbread cookie that brings together the tartness of dried cherries and the richness of chocolate. To finish, a swirl of melted chocolate drizzle adds an elegant touch. Perfect for anyone craving a little indulgence without the gluten. Macadamia Shortbread with White Chocolate Drizzle 🌰 Macadamia Shortbread with White C...

  Introducing: The Lanai Cottage Bakery Corporate Cookie Jar  Been wanting to do this one for a while … and now it’s officially here: The Lanai Cottage Bakery Corporate Cookie Jar ! Think of it as your new office BFF, quietly waiting in the breakroom, stocked with freshly baked cookies. It’s the perfect mix of “cottage home cozy” and “yes, I’m actually excited about the office kitchen.” And let me tell you, this isn’t just any jar. It’s a clear glass beauty with a wooden cap, the kind of thing that gives your office breakroom an instant glow-up. Think: clean, country, cozy… like a little piece of cottage charm parked right next to the coffee machine. Because let’s be honest—cookies taste better when they’re served out of a jar that looks like it belongs in your grandma’s kitchen (but chic enough to fit in a modern office). What’s Inside 🍪 Each jar fits two dozen cookies—because one dozen is never enough. 🍪You pick four flavors from the menu each week. 🍪Each cookie is indiv...

Birthdays are like sprinkles—there’s no such thing as too many, and they make life sweeter. This summer wrapped up with three very different (but equally delicious) cakes leaving my kitchen: a Gluten Free Tres Leches , a Coconut Cream Cake , and a Hostess Cupcake Cake . Each one came with its own story, flavor adventure, and honestly, that’s why I adore baking custom cakes—every one comes with its own challenge, and its own little piece of happiness. Gluten Free Tres Leches Cake When a client told me the one cake he missed most after going gluten free was Tres Leches, I knew it was time to try something new. This was my very first attempt at making a gluten free version of this iconic dessert, and let me tell you—I had way too much fun. I followed this recipe as my guide, and what I loved most was watching the sponge cake do its magic. The moment it soaked up that glorious trio of milks (evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream), it felt like science and art in one pan. I may or may not...