Bakers share the stories behind their little works of art

Cookies are a universally beloved treat. Portability and versatility account for some of the appeal, but nostalgia makes them a timeless comfort food. These hand-held, perfectly portioned tidbits recall pleasures shared in simpler times.

In the hands of a new wave of cookie makers, they are not only delicious treats but works of art, a canvas for creativity and customization. The Covid-19 pandemic gave bakers time to hone their skills, and new technologies such as 3D printing and edible ink printing allow for innovative shapes and designs.

Specialty cookies have become increasingly popular for gifts and celebrations; this national trend is evident in South Bend, Indiana, home to several talented cookie entrepreneurs. I got in touch with four of them and asked, among other things, “Why cookies?”

Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Afro Cookie

Ash Siery

Everyone loves cookies!

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, my husband and I began watching some of the cookie decorating challenge shows on the Food Network. I wanted to try it for myself, and I just got better and better since I was doing it all throughout lockdown. I tried to think about how I could incorporate a meaningful reason behind baking them. Once I got into portrait cookies, I instinctively chose influential black women to highlight and share stories about. I love how much joy my cookies bring people, and that’s really what it is all about for me.

My customers come from all walks of life: artists, foodies, moms, grandmas, people who host parties, corporate event coordinators and just cookie lovers.

I bake cookies in a variety of wild flavors. I love to think out of the box when I come up with new recipes, so there is always something unexpected like Guava, Apple Pie and Lychee. I 3D print my own cookie cutters, so the sky is the limit.

Facebook: @AfroCookieBakery

Kassandra’s Cookies

Kasey McCalment

Cookies are like a hug. When someone takes a bite of a beautiful, thoughtfully created cookie, I want them to know someone out there loves them very much.

Several years ago, I tried to make Christmas cookies for my kids. I thought it would be a piece of cake, but when I took them out of the oven they had turned into sad little unrecognizable blobs. I spent hours searching YouTube and the internet for the perfect recipe, tools, tricks and techniques. I was determined. I had no idea at the time how determined.

I often see things around me and wonder how I can make that into a cookie. When I see a gorgeous fabric, the subtle shading and blending of colors in a bouquet of flowers, or the stubble on my husband’s handsome face, I try to find ways to recreate them with icing. But most of all, I am inspired by kindness and generosity.

What I love most about what I do is being a small part in celebrating someone special. People I will most likely never meet, but in my heart, I get to cheer for them. It’s truly magical.

Facebook: @kassandras.cookies.9

The Calla Lily Cookie

Angela Fraling

My cookies are each little edible pieces of art.

I lost my job during Covid, and at Christmas, I started baking and decorating cookies to give to family and friends because I had the time to do that for once. I found that it was a great way for me to do something artistic.

Because of Covid, there was a huge influx of people offering cookie-decorating classes online, so I signed up for a few and absolutely loved it. I decided that I would start my own business.

I get inspiration from the great network of bakers I’ve met throughout the years, cookie classes I’ve taken and a cookie conference I try to go to annually. When I work with a client, many times they will send me photos of things that they’ve seen online or pictures of the decorations that they will be using for their event.

I love that I get to be creative in so many different ways and that no two orders are ever the same. I can have custom cookie cutters and stencils made—the possibilities are endless and that’s so exciting.

Facebook: @thecallalilycookie

Chips & Doodles

Pamela Derr

I started making cookies because my husband wanted something personal to give to his clients at Christmas. The name Chips & Doodles came from chocolate chips and snickerdoodles, the cookies I started with.

Currently, my biggest customer base is parents of students at the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s and Holy Cross. I have been blessed to be able to “deliver joy” across the miles on many firsts away from home—whether it be a birthday or Valentine’s Day or Saint Nicholas Day. This is truly where I found my passion, bringing smiles to the students and connecting them to their family on their special day.

I can print almost anything on a cookie. A cut-out sugar cookie is covered with royal icing and then I print on the icing with my edible ink printer. One of the photos of the golden dome at Notre Dame was taken by my son his first week on campus, and that has been one of my most requested and favorite cookies to print.

I have expanded to cakes, brownies, muffins, scones and cupcakes, and I make special orders beyond that. You can pick up orders or find items for sale at the Portage Collective.

chipsanddoodles.com

Lisa Barnett de Froberville is a French teacher and translator and the managing editor of Edible Michiana.