Kristine M. Kierzek
A math downside about muffins was the primary inkling that Kristin Zenz may turn into a baker. Whereas it was simply meant to be a approach for the grade college scholar to study fractions, she couldn’t cease fascinated with the muffins. She needed to go dwelling and make the recipe.
She’s been baking ever since. It wasn’t essentially something fancy to start out, and principally only for enjoyable. Working as a speech therapist for Milwaukee Public Colleges, she baked at any time when she had time. Final summer season, she determined to take the additional time she had and commenced a baking enterprise, including expertise and extra recipes as she gained confidence.
Chozzie’s Bakery formally opened in Might 2022, and she or he started promoting on the Menomonee Falls Farmers Market. Because the home-based baker realized what individuals like, she’s additionally continued to problem herself. She continues to supply her bestselling chocolate chip cookies, almond croissants and scotcheroos, plus seasonal favorites, whereas increasing choices with cinnamon rolls, muffins and hand-decorated cookies.
The menu and knowledge for customized orders can be found at chozziesbakery.com. Search for Zenz and her baked items Jan. 28 and 29 at re:Craft & Relic winter market that includes greater than 150 cubicles on the Milwaukee County Sports activities Complicated, 6000 W. Ryan Street, Franklin. Zenz may also be promoting from 10 a.m. to three p.m. Feb. 4 at Root River Middle, 7220 W. Rawson Ave., Franklin. She’ll return to the Menomonee Falls Farmers Market, which runs Wednesdays beginning June 21.
How she started
I at all times loved baking. I wasn’t very experimental, simply chocolate chip cookies or a cake. Then in school I’d bake on weekends. After I started working, I’d bake and produce issues in to the break room as a result of I like to bake, however I do not need to eat all of it myself. I began entering into the recipe growth and science, altering substances to see the way you make a cookie that’s thicker and chewier. I discovered how a lot science went into baking, and I liked that.
Early kitchen adventures
The very first thing I bear in mind making, and actually desirous to make, was a muffin recipe in a math workbook. It was all about studying the fractions, however I needed to go dwelling and make that recipe.
Summer time kick begin
I’ve summers off. I’m a speech therapist within the faculties. I had finished summer season college, and I simply needed to do one thing completely different. I used to be additionally baking loads, approach, far more than I may ever eat. Final summer season I simply tried the Menomonee Falls market. That was the beginning.
Challenges accepted
This began as a interest. After I realized I favored it, I assumed effectively, I may flip this right into a enterprise. I like all of the elements, even with the challenges.
Naming her enterprise
I used to be considering and considering and couldn’t give you one thing. I needed one thing sentimental, however the whole lot cute was already taken. I ended up combining two of my cats’ names: Chozzie’s Bakery.
Behind the enterprise
Proper now I’m baking all out of my dwelling, however finally I’d transfer right into a business house. In the summertime and fall, I used to be baking 5 days every week. After Christmas I gave myself somewhat day without work. Quickly I’ll be making my Valentine recipes and baking 4 days every week and rising the customized order enterprise.
Fan mail enjoyable
I like the images individuals ship me. Final week I did Iron Man cookies. The one who purchased them, her little man favored them a lot. It made me joyful.
Her all-time favourite
The chocolate chip cookie is one thing that’s traditional and located in all places. I favored all of them, however I at all times thought there was one thing lacking. Everybody likes it in a different way, however everybody likes them. I used science to search out my cookie.
A numbers sport
The primary craft/relic occasion was loads busier than I used to be used to, a a lot bigger scale. That first Saturday, I got here dwelling and needed to bake for an additional 5 hours as a result of I’d offered out. That was good, however I undoubtedly didn’t need to be up all night time. The toughest half is understanding how a lot to bake. What sells in a single space will not be as standard at one other occasion. Each occasion is so completely different, and also you don’t need to have an excessive amount of and find yourself with leftovers.
Why she likes this
I don’t actually do artful issues myself, however I’ve at all times loved taking a look at craft gadgets and going to craft reveals. I like being there to help the distributors, and I actually get pleasure from interacting with the individuals. You could find out firsthand what they’re concerned with, and you will discover out instantly.
I’ve finished issues from Waterford to Menomonee Falls and in between. Scones did very well in Menomonee Falls, however not so effectively in Waterford. It’s having the ability to make completely different recipes for various audiences.
Bestselling bites
Most likely both my almond croissant or my chocolate chip cookie. I additionally do a scotcheroo cookie, with chocolate chip and butterscotch and peanut butter. That does fairly effectively.
Past the fundamentals
I bought bored of the cookies. I needed extra of a problem. Yeast doughs actually intrigued me, partly as a result of they are a problem.
Final summer season I simply labored on extra of the pastry stuff. Croissants and cinnamon rolls have been enjoyable. I like making muffins and cupcakes. I’ve additionally been working extra to develop the adorned cookie aspect of my enterprise. I’m engaged on some Valentine choices for particular orders. I additionally make breads in winter, often extra on the savory aspect.
Most up-to-date cookbook she purchased
I discover loads of inspiration in cookbooks. I take a look at loads of blogs. The latest cookbook I purchased is “The Excellent Cookie” by America’s Check Kitchen. They’ve nearly each cookie you might have ever imagined. I like all of the notes they put in there, so you’ll be able to see how issues progress. I’ve the America’s Check Kitchen cake and pie books as effectively. They’re very detailed.
Customized orders welcome
If it’s a adorned cookie or cake, I’d ask for every week discover. Drop cookies, I would like two or extra days discover.
Proper now I additionally make the extra conventional muffins, vanilla, confetti, crimson velvet, cookies and cream, and I’m engaged on increasing vegan and gluten-free choices as effectively. Each market, a minimum of 5 individuals would ask about gluten-free stuff. I didn’t notice how many individuals want or need vegan and gluten free. It’s one thing that persons are asking for, so I need to add that.
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Fork. Spoon. Life. explores the on a regular basis relationship that native notables (throughout the meals group and with out) have with meals. To recommend future personalities to profile, electronic mail [email protected].
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