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...

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 ...

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...

💚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. ...

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...

Every now and then, a cake request isn’t just about dessert—it’s about love, memory, and meaning. James, a co-worker and friend, reached out with one of those rare stories that touched my heart.  At first, James’ birthday cake request seemed like a classic favorite: banana cream. But as he opened up about the memory behind it, I realized this cake would be carrying something much deeper than just flavor. When James was a child, there was a birthday his parents accidentally forgot. Moments slip through the cracks sometimes, as they do for all of us. But when his mom realized, she rushed to make things right the best way she knew how: she made him a banana pudding cake. Banana pudding had always been his favorite, and that quick, loving gesture became a memory that stayed with him through the years. Now, with his mom no longer here, James wanted to honor her memory. So for his birthday this year, he asked me to recreate that beloved banana pudding cake—a tribute to her, and to that o...

Lemon Budnt Cake  This birthday cake request was anything but ordinary—and I loved every second of creating it! A client reached out for a custom gluten-free birthday cake, but instead of the usual layered cake, they wanted a bright and summery lemon bundt cake. With fresh lemons picked right from their backyard tree and a heartfelt marine life theme, this cake became a celebration of not just a birthday, but of passion and personal dreams. 🍋Fresh Lemons, Fresh Ideas The cake itself was inspired by the bright and sunny flavor of fresh lemons. There’s something magical about using fruit that’s been grown and gifted with love. The zest of the lemon added a burst of fragrant citrus oils, infusing the crumb with a tangy brightness that made every bite taste like summer. As a finishing touch, I filled the center of the bundt with a generous sprinkle of fresh summer berries. The natural sweetness of blackberries and raspberries added a refreshing pop of color and flavor that balanced th...

One of my favorite parts of running a cottage bakery is the freedom to explore. Whether I’m testing a trending recipe or chasing a personal flavor curiosity, I find so much joy in pushing the boundaries of what my sourdough starter can do. Over time, I’ve been building a little sourdough menu collection of my own—starting with classic sourdough English muffins , and most recently, trying out a flaky, buttery artisan croissant bread. But this week’s adventure might just be my softest, fruitiest one yet: a Strawberry Sourdough Cake inspired by Amy Bakes Bread. It’s not your typical cake. The sourdough starter adds this beautiful depth and slight tang, while the strawberries melt into little pools of natural jam throughout the batter. The result is a soft, tender crumb that almost disappears in your mouth—it's that dreamy. It’s the kind of thing I love to bake for a weekend treat—something a little unexpected, a little rustic, and totally craveable. This cake is a reminder of why I do...

Last year, the Dubai chocolate trend made its rounds across social media—those glossy, rich, decadent chocolate bars dusted in gold and filled with creamy layers. I had no intention of jumping on the trend train… until a little spark of inspiration came from the most unexpected (and delightful) place. While working on the hit show St. Denis Medical, my awesome co-worker, Laura, passed along a fun message from one of the show’s stars, Kahyun Kim. She was curious if I could make her a Dubai-style chocolate bar. Now, I don’t specialize in chocolates—but the idea intrigued me. I did a little digging and randomly came across a recipe for Dubai chocolate brownies. They looked indulgent, velvety, and topped with that signature glossy finish. So I picked up a few ingredients, gave them a try… and it was love at first bite. The brownies were a hit. Like—instant cult favorite hit. And just like that, they earned a permanent spot on my menu. To this day, they remain one of my biggest brownie sell...

Avocado croissant sourdough toast with black olive salt and cotija cheese There’s a kind of magic in Sunday mornings—the kind that invites you to slow down, stay in pajamas a little longer, and let the aroma of fresh coffee and something warm in the oven set the tone for the day. No alarms, no rush. Just the soft glow of morning light, a well-worn mug in hand, and the gentle hum of a playlist playing in the background. It’s when the kitchen feels most like a sanctuary—where toast isn’t just toast, but a ritual. Whether it’s a flaky pastry, a buttery biscuit, or a warm slice of sourdough, brunch becomes less of a meal and more of a comfort-filled moment you look forward to all week. A few months back, I came across a viral baking trend that felt like it was made for this exact kind of morning: artisan croissant bread. Originally created by amybakesbread.com  and brought into my feed by @kirtyyys , this genius mash-up combines the tang of sourdough with the buttery flakiness of a cro...

When it came time to create a birthday cake for the legendary David Alan Grier, star of St. Denis Medical, I knew I wanted to go beyond just a “favorite flavor.” I wanted to honor his roots, his legacy, and his love for red velvet cake — all while giving it a dash of classic Hollywood glam. David is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and while researching ideas, I stumbled upon a beautiful tradition from one of the city’s beloved bakeries: Good Cakes and Bakes , which makes its red velvet cake using beet juice instead of red food coloring. Not only is this a natural alternative to artificial dyes, but it’s also a nod to the soulful and authentic flavors that define Detroit’s food scene. That inspiration sparked something deep — I had to try it. The result? A red velvet cake rich with natural color and flavor, frosted with homemade cream cheese frosting — silky, tangy, and just sweet enough to complement the earthy richness of the cake. But the look? That’s where Hollywood stepped in. ...

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...