BAKE IT ’TIL YOU MAKE IT

Their Mudgeeraba cafe may have changed hands, but you can still sample a slice of heaven from this well-known baking duo, writes Denise Raward

THE mother-daughter team behind Mudgeeraba’s Two Little Bakers has returned to its roots, selling its cafe shopfront and baking once again from home. But it’s no cottage industry. Kris Gleeson and her daughter Ashley have set up a custom-built cake studio at their Mudgeeraba home to focus on producing their signature cakes and desserts.

“We went into the cafe four years ago to get our cakes out there,” Kris says. “We couldn’t have foreseen how big it would become.” Indeed the success of the cafe is part of the reason Kris and Ashley decided to sell the business to return to their first love, baking.

“We were both working long hours,” Kris says.

“People loved our cakes. We were doing special orders and custom-made cakes but, with the cafe, we were obliged to do breakfasts and lunches as well.

“We were trying to do it all and it got to the stage we had to say no to too many cakes, so we made a plan to split the business and sell the cafe to concentrate on our passion, the baking.”

The move was a year in the planning with a garage being converted into a licensed kitchen/studio to produce custom-made cakes and desserts for any occasion.

“It still feels a bit like we’re wagging school,” Kris says.

“The pace has slowed right down, but it means we’ve got the time to put all our creativity into our cakes. It’s very exciting for us.”

Two Little Bakers is still making all the old favourites that launched its success: cupcakes, macarons, slices, brownies and cheesecakes as well as personalised special occasion cakes. Ashley is a graphic designer and her cake creations are artistic masterpieces in their own right.

“Some of her techniques are just incredible,” Kris says.

“It’s not just about looks for us. Our cakes have the reputation of tasting amazing as well. That’s very important to us.”

The ladies have a strict no fondant policy and decorate in buttercream only, which they say simply tastes better.

“Baking has always been my happy place,” Kris says.

“I come from a family that likes good food and puts on good spreads.

“That’s passed on to Ashley too and she brings a real talent to it. We’re both looking forward to the next chapter.

“The cafe was a great experience but we’re back doing what we love.”