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the start of Love & Cupcakes Studio
Like her mother and grandmothers, Jessica always made over-the-top cakes for her children's birthdays. In time, friends began to ask for cakes. Word spread and a business was born!
To hone her skills, Jessica studied modern decorating techniques in local adult ed classes, though she still credits her talent to those early days in Grandma's kitchen. She finds the process of producing unique, handcrafted, delicious works of art both therapeutic and mentally stimulating, but her favorite part of the job is seeing the joy that each piece brings to its recipient. Some of her most original work has been showcased in donations to Make-A-Wish of CNY.
Jessica is a middle school teacher by day. Her cookie business finances college for her children, who are pursuing careers in harness racing and business. She is confident that the time spent in the kitchen together will always be a meaningful part of their lives and she hopes that the smell of their favorite cookies will always bring them home.
It was truly an honor to create the centerpiece for Grandma's big birthday celebration. Even the teacup and flowers are edible!
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For my own milestone birthday, Grandma presented me with the one tool she had kept from her years as a cake decorator.
Love & ... Cupcakes???
I only see cookies here!
Yeah. So about that...
In my opinion, cupcakes are THE world's most perfect food. They're absolutely adorable. They're just the right size. They're portable. And they are divinely delicious!
So do you make cupcakes?
I sure do! Back when I started the business, I was primarily baking for birthday and graduation parties. My kitchen has produced thousands of cupcakes over the years: classic cupcakes, filled cupcakes, allergy-friendly cupcakes, boozy cupcakes, candy-topped cupcakes, novelty cupcakes, mini cupcakes, gluten-free cupcakes, gourmet cupcakes... And every single recipe has been taste-tested and approved by your favorite sweet-toothed baker and her two brutally honest critics.
Then one day, a teacher from the local high school came to me with a proposition. He had purchased a silicone cookie mold in the shape of William Shakespeare and asked if I could use it to make treats for his theater group. I watched the tutorial and gave it a go. And then I was hooked!
I now have about 50 of these fantastic molds from Artesao Cookie Molds in my collection.
My first attempt at "painted" cookies in 2021
So yes. I do still make cupcakes. A lot of them in fact. And they are arguably the best in town. If you would like to place an order and can pick it up in Utica, New York, message me here.
In honor of the World's Most Perfect Food and as a tribute to the cozy feeling elicited by home-baked desserts, the name Love & Cupcakes Studio will stand.
