Meet Me at The Lanai

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...

After the sweet success of Mekki Lepper’s birthday cake last season, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been asked once again by Amy to bake custom cakes for the cast. What started as a fun end-of-season surprise has now turned into an ongoing creative opportunity—one that blends classic flavors with personal storytelling and design. Biscoff Is King (But There’s Always Room for More) It’s no surprise that Biscoff continues to be the top-requested flavor with clients—it’s nostalgic, spiced just right, and pairs beautifully with silky buttercream. You’ll find it, along with other top flavor combos, on the menu here on the site. One of my favorite cake styles to make is the “millionaire” cake—these cakes allow for maximum creativity, from the layering and textures to the flavor pairings and artistic finishes. They're the perfect playground for both technique and imagination. When Direction Is Clear: The Bigger the Cake, the Stricter the Specs On the flip side, larger format cakes—like ha...

💚 A Little Back Story Some people come into your life through a job—and end up changing it completely. I met Ashlee when I part-timed on hit series Superstore. I was new, a little nervous, and trying to find my place. But something about that day stuck with me. Not long after, I was invited back, and before I knew it, I was part of her team. That was back in 2017—and since then, we've worked three shows together. Ashlee is more than a department head. She's the kind of leader who creates a trusting and creative environment where people feel seen, heard, and appreciated. She's a powerhouse who works hard, leads with heart, and makes it all look effortless. And I’m incredibly lucky to call her my boss…and my friend. This week, I wanted to celebrate Ashlee in the best way I know how—baking. 🏝️ The Love Island Touch Love Island Inspo/Ashlee's Work Station/ Custom Cake She’s a huge fan of Love Island, so I created a themed birthday cake just for her: a lemon raspberry swir...

If you’ve been following along my baking journey, you probably know me as the cinnamon roll gal, the one bringing sugar, spice, and everything nice to markets and custom orders. But what most don’t know is that by day, I work in the world of lights, cameras, and touch-ups — I’m a professional makeup artist in Hollywood. Surprise! For the past season, I’ve had the absolute joy of working on the new hit comedy St. Denis Medical, doing makeup magic behind the scenes. And in the most unexpected (but totally on-brand) plot twist, my two worlds — makeup and baking — collided in the sweetest way. It all started with a joke. I was chatting about my cottage home bakery with coworkers on set, and someone threw out, “You should bring your stuff in for crafty!” (Crafty = craft services, the glorious snack table of any production.) But my co-workers weren’t joking. They started raving about my baked goods and even began putting in the good word to Amy (shoutout to Amy, our craft services queen) to ...