In the Spotlight: Kookie House Cakes & Treats
We are honored to have Kookie House for our Spotlight this month!
From fanciful kokeshi doll cakes and delicate wagashi to masterly ikebana-inspired presentations, Kookie House is a no flex zone of contemplation on sweetcraft: cookies, cakes, pies, pastry, candy, you have it. Molly, The Kookie House Chief of Sweets, treats everyone to handcrafted treasures that reflect her tremendous love, passion, and vision for creating delightful confections that are truly remarkable.
What is the Kookie House story?
I was in another long meeting at the corporate job I had last year and I just was so tired of my uninspiring job, so I asked myself, what can I do right now to live a more creative life?
That night when I went home, the blog was born. I took it into my own hands to make a more inspired life for myself.
How did your artistic culinary journey start, and what is your proudest moment to date? Can you give us a sense as to why it’s such a key milestone?
I have always loved sweets and I started baking as a way to experiment with flavors. I can remember sneaking into the kitchen after school as a kid and just making a big mess with ingredients I thought would go together.
I once melted a box of Junior Mints in a pot on the stove and tried to mix cereal in it–total failure, but I learned a lot! Baking has always had a sense of play and experimentation for me since I approached it with total curiosity.
Could you tell us a bit about what the best part of your artistic process is?
I have a sketchbook filled with ideas for cakes I will probably never get to make. I have so many ideas I have to choose among them by thinking about what would work with the current season or design trend.
It’s great starting on paper though, because you can let your imagination really go wild and then try to figure out what will really work in practical terms.
It’s notable that you embark on this tireless quest for the perfect recipe whenever you create your confections. This must take a lot of versioning until you work out something that you’re happy with… What inspires you the most about your work?
Yes, I do test recipes constantly! I almost can’t help it. When I taste a cake or cookie I’ve been working on for a while, my mind is racing with ideas about where or how it could be improved.
I’m thinking about flavors and textures and how to adjust the recipe for the perfect outcome. Sometimes its obvious (needs more salt or something) but sometimes I have to search a little deeper or do some research. It’s fun, like detective work–that’s my favorite part.
Our favorite piece-it really is an exquisite and elaborate art piece as it is a delicious dessert-is your Bird Day Cake with the graceful gumpaste ribbons being held up by elegant chickadees and as if floating on air. Every recipe must be your favorite in some way, but what is a particularly special recipe you’ve created recently?
Thank you, I loved that Bird Day Cake too! I have a new recipe up that is the perfect dessert to make for holiday gatherings–raspberry pavlova with cinnamon-infused whipped cream. It’s a very showy dessert but incredibly simple to make, and it is certainly one of my all-time favorite desserts to eat.
It’s been a pleasure being part of your journey, even if only through printing some of your labels. Were you always keen on having clear packaging and labels to allow your creations to “shine through”?
Yes I knew exactly how I wanted to present the cookie boxes with the labels front and center, so I was really happy you worked with me to achieve the perfect label. It was really important to me that the labels would be clear so the logo could be seen but the most important part–the cookies–could also be seen.
What are the three adjectives that best describe Kookie House, and why those three?
Fun, flavor, and love. It’s important to me that treats are joyful, fun, and beautiful, but equally important that they are delicious and show a lot of thought in how they are made.
Many of our customers are small businesses who’ve had their share of tough challenges. Can you impart some words of wisdom for people who are just starting out with their own endeavors?
Gosh, I wish I knew! I think originality and quality have to be central to any creative entrepreneur. If you are true to yourself and concerned about quality, you will not regret your efforts.
Where else can we find you?
Here in Atlanta you can find our holiday cookie sets at Young Blood Gallery, and hopefully more places soon!
Official Website: http://www.kookiehouse.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kookiehousecake/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kookiehouse/
Email: kookiehousecakes (at) gmail (dot) com
Support Kookie House and drop something in their tip jar!
Kookie House is an Atlanta-based blog and test kitchen whose mission is to bring the very best cakes, cookies, candies, and all manner of sweetcraft into the world. Custom orders and wedding cake services available for the local area.
We have been fortunate to have met awesome people through our work, and learning about them and their challenges and triumphs is always humbling and inspiring. As print advocates, we truly enjoy talking with artists and small businesses who inspire us everyday.
