Meet Me at The Lanai

  There are moments when baking becomes more than just mixing butter and sugar — it becomes a way to show love, connection, and gratitude.  As a small cottage bakery, I’m always looking for ways to give back to the community that’s supported me from day one. Recently, I had the joy of participating in two wonderful fundraisers that truly warmed my heart: Elizabeth House and Burbank’s Parent ED’s Halloween Event. Elizabeth House: Sweet Pies for a Meaningful Cause When my friend and talented actress Kelly Schumann (you might recognize her from Superstore ) reached out about Elizabeth House’s first-ever Pickleball Social, I was touched. Kelly works with Elizabeth House , a nonprofit that supports women, children, and even grandchildren through safe housing, mentorship, and unconditional love. Their mission — to give families the tools and community they need to rebuild their lives — instantly resonated with me. It’s full of heart, and baking something for their fundraiser felt li...

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...

One of the things I love most about running my cottage bakery is that there’s always something new to learn. Cake decorating, like any art, is endless—you can always discover new techniques, refine your skills, and find fresh inspiration. Recently, I had the chance to take a piping workshop at The Sweet Spot Workshop , led by the wonderfully talented decorator and instructor, Mia.  Mia has a gift for teaching. Her classes are fun, welcoming, and completely pressure-free—exactly the kind of environment where creativity flows. She breaks down complex piping techniques into easy steps, guiding you through each design until you realize, hey, I actually did that! This particular class focused on succulent and plant-inspired piping designs, which was both a challenge and a joy. We explored a variety of piping tips and methods to bring these little buttercream beauties to life: 💚 Rosette Succulents: Using a star tip, we piped layered spirals that mimicked the plump leaves of an echeveri...

💚From The Lanai kitchen To Their Celebrations: August’s Birthday Cakes🎂 🌟 August has been one of those months where my kitchen feels less like a kitchen and more like a nonstop celebration. It seems half the world has birthdays in August — and honestly, I couldn’t be happier, because nothing makes me feel more at home than baking cakes that will become part of someone’s special day.🌟 This month, peanut butter and chocolate were the stars of the show. The first was for Sarah Stouffer , a dear friend of St. Denis Medical’s  star Kayhun Kim . Sarah also happens to be someone I had the joy of working with on a Christmas movie years ago (A Cinderella Christmas — what a cozy little full-circle moment!). The cake was a deep, rich chocolate base, layered with silky chocolate ganache that melts in your mouth, and then covered with the dreamiest peanut butter buttercream you can imagine — light, creamy, and just the right amount of nutty. I decorated it with dainty gold sugar pearls an...

While the St. Denis Medical crew gets back into the swing of TV magic, I’ve been cooking up my own set of plot twists — all starring butter, sugar, and a dash of summer mischief.  Strawberry Pretzel Rice Crispy Treat, Star Crunch Rice Crispy Treat This week’s menu is equal parts summer sunshine and “let’s try something new just because we can.” 💚Here’s what’s coming fresh from the Lanai cottage kitchen: 🍥 Jumbo Cinny Rolls Our signature cinnamon rolls, big enough to share… but let’s be real, you won’t. 🍑 Peach & Jumbo Cobbler Cinny Rolls Like summer and comfort food fell in love and eloped in my oven. 🍫 Rice Crispy Treat Variety (most GF) Cookies are taking a break, so I’m serving up six crispy, chewy stars instead: 🌟Brown Butter – Classic, but with a grown-up twist (and a nutty, toasty flavor that says “I’m sophisticated” while sticking to your fingers). 🌟 Strawberry Pretzel – Sweet, salty, and a little retro. 🌟 S’more – Campfire nostalgia without the mosquito bites. ...

When Amy’s husband reached out and asked me to bake her birthday cake, it was what I call a “say less” moment. You know—the kind where you’re already preheating the oven before the conversation ends. Amy runs the crafty department for the hit TV series St. Denis Medical and has been one of my biggest supporters—bringing my custom baked goods to set, featuring them for cast birthdays, and basically ensuring my treats have had their own behind-the-scenes career. She’s like the fairy godmother of snacks… but with a clipboard and production schedule. The request? A double chocolate cake with chocolate ganache icing and filling. In other words, the chocolate lover’s dream—rich, indulgent, and perfect for someone as thoughtful and hardworking as Amy. But the décor? That’s where the story takes a funny turn. The inspiration came from  an unforgettable chapter of St. Denis Medical lore: the squirrel saga.  Last season, the squirrels on the lot decided crafty was their personal all-yo...

One of the coolest parts of baking for TV productions? Knowing your baked goods are making an appearance during the table read—the moment when cast, writers, producers, and the director all come together to bring the script to life out loud for the first time. It’s a creative huddle with a lot of laughs, a little pressure, and (lucky for me!) a sweet snack break halfway through. The production office puts in the request (I never know what they’ll choose—except the mini cinnys. Those are non-negotiable by now 😂). Every now and then, someone at work will mention that “the NBC execs always light up when your treats hit the table.” A quiet compliment that made a big impact. Knowing that something I baked is part of a moment they genuinely look forward to? That kind of feedback keeps me smiling (and baking) through the late-night kitchen marathons. This week’s menu was extra fun: 🍪 Cookies Galore: 4 dozen in total, featuring a rotating lineup: Triple Chocolate Chip (GF & regular) – a...

When it came time to plan a birthday cake for St. Denis Medical star and all-around gem Josh Lawson, the brainstorming sesh felt like a mini “Snatch Game” of dessert ideas. There were laughs, opinions, and a whole lot of sweet deliberation. What would the flavor fantasy be? What décor would serve the most birthday realness? The top three cake contenders were: 1. Chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream and chocolate ganache (classic, rich, a little sultry), 2. Hostess cupcake-inspired cake (nostalgia queen vibes), and 3. Almond Joy-inspired sheet cake (tropical, decadent, and, dare I say, a little unexpected). 👑 Enter: Laura, my coworker and reigning Idea Queen Extraordinaire, who had her heart set on the Almond Joy. Why? Not-so-secretly, she had dreams of that coconut buttercream filling dancing on her tastebuds. Now, Josh had initially leaned toward a Reese’s-inspired option (can’t blame a man for loving peanut butter), but with a little sweet talk and flair, Laura lip-synced f...