I’ve been fascinated with baking since I was a little girl making pies, cakes, and cookies out of mud. I graduated to real food when my mother finally gave me an easy bake oven. I was thrilled! I kept that little oven quite busy, even canvassing the neighborhood one day when I ran out of vanilla flavoring. I was in big trouble with my mom, but everyone enjoyed the cookies that resulted from my efforts.

 

I still love to cook and bake, though I had a few trials in the beginning — including the day I discovered my husband tossing my biscuits to the dogs. And the dogs refused to eat them! Following that incident, I focused on honing my skills so I could make delectable and irresistible desserts and sweets. I can’t begin to say how many cakes I burned, cracked, split, or removed from the oven too early along the way. But my childhood passion remains. I love to put smiles on faces and hear folks say, “Yum, that is so good!”

 

My grandmother, who was a wonderful baker, always used the best ingredients she could find. She was my mentor, and her baking secrets have been a great resource to me for over 25 years. Today, Orange Blossom Bakery is expanding. I am outgrowing my kitchen space quickly and moving toward my dream of opening my own bakery shop. I know that my baking skills are God-given and that He is the Master Planner. I give Him all glory, honor and praise for my business.

 

—Bonnie J. Crochet