Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Skarp.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started baking when I was in High School and would make brownies and cupcakes to share with my classmates. As a young adult I would bake for coworkers and then when I had my children I enjoyed making their birthday cakes. I started selling cakes and other baked goods as word of mouth spread and became quite popular in the small town where I lived in Iowa. In 2016 I moved to Minnesota and would bake for my coworkers at the various places I worked. I started Brainerd Lakes Cakes in 2020 as a registered cottage food producer in the Brainerd Lakes Area. I make everything from scratch using local fresh ingredients whenever possible. I enjoy making unique flavor combinations and I’m always trying out new recipes. I have a variety of items that I make such as cakes, decorated sugar cookies, french macarons, brownie truffles, chocolate chunk cookies, pies, and cupcakes. I’m completely self-taught and I enjoy learning new techniques and trying new trends. My goal is to have a storefront, but for now, I’m happy to be able to work from home doing what I love. When I’m not busy baking I enjoy reading, cooking, playing video games, and spending time with my family. My kids enjoy it when I’m trying a new recipe so that they can taste test for me. My favorite thing about baking is that I get to share something I love with others and make them happy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I started Brainerd Lakes Cakes in 2020, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been working as a restaurant cook but I felt like I was never home so I decided that I would give this a try and if it didn’t work out in 2 years then I would go back to working somewhere else again. The first year was pretty slow and I would only have a few orders here and there. This past spring I attended a women’s entrepreneur conference and made a lot of great connections. I joined the chamber of commerce and a local networking group and have been busy ever since!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My favorite part of baking is that I get to be creative. Whether I’m decorating a cake or making a new cookie or cupcake flavor it allows me the creative freedom to do what I enjoy. One of my most popular frosting flavors is the citrus mango frosting, it pairs well with lemon, strawberry, raspberry, or vanilla and is available for cakes and cupcakes.
My most popular item is the brownie truffles. I currently have three flavors available, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla and I’m working on making a pineapple and a blueberry version as well.
One of my biggest accomplishments this year was making a cake for Nor-Son Construction for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Central Medical Supply Building. I was tasked with making the cake a replica of the building and it was a great challenge. The cake was chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and the roof was chocolate ganache. I made fondant decorations and I was able to replicate the sign using edible markers.
My menu is what sets me apart from other bakers. I offer items that they can’t find anywhere else in the area.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m hoping to offer classes in the future so that I can teach others how much fun it is to do what I do! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Brainerd Lakes Cakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: Brainerdlakescakes.com
- Instagram: Brainerd Lakes Cakes
- Facebook: Brainerd Lakes Cakes
Image Credits
Liberty Captures
