Taylor Rysdon’s passion for preparing meals and sweet treats is apparent. After all, it led to the creation of her own company, Blended Bakes, which has had a positive impact on countless events and celebrations throughout Greater Cincinnati.
“Growing up, baking was a therapeutic outlet for me,” Rysdon recalls.
It was during a maternity leave from her corporate job in late 2019 that Rysdon rediscovered a love of baking. Not long after, she began baking for family and friends, which led her to connect with new families and businesses in the area. When the pandemic hit, requests grew as orders came in from numerous families celebrating events at home.
It was an easy decision to become bonafide.
“In 2023, I launched my LLC and became a licensed home bakery in Ohio,” Rysdon explains. “Blended Bakes is my full-time passion.”
From thoughtfully curated cakes to macarons and even special dietary treats, Rysdon is enriching the region, one sweet bite at a time.
“I love building relationships with my community through baking,” Rysdon proudly shares. “It’s been an incredible journey!”
Better Baking
Is the thought of holiday baking causing your anxiety to bubble over? With the right attitude and a healthy portion of preparation, it doesn’t have to be a worrisome undertaking. Rysdon happily shares a few tips for better baking.
Set a menu and stick to it. “This one goes for baking and cooking,” Rysdon says. “When you set a menu of 3-4 treats, you’re setting yourself up for success.” She recommends selecting a treat or dessert that’s complementary to everything else on the dinner table.
She explains, “If you’re serving turkey and cranberry sauce, skip the cranberry cookies and go with a different holiday flavor, like apple.” That way you get more variation, without adding another dessert.
Shop smart and early. “I’ve seen prices rise around the holidays, for no good reason,” she says, sharing an observation to which many can relate. Avoid inflated costs. “Items like butter, eggs and flour can be purchased well in advance, before the spike in prices.”
Additionally, Rysdon recommends being prepared for the likelihood that some ingredients might be out of stock. “Every year I visit numerous stores to find spices like nutmeg, pumpkin and cardamom. Don’t wait for the store to run out—start snagging those items now.”
Bake and freeze for easy treats. Rysdon recommends that you prepare goodies together for a fun day with the kids but work ahead of time. “You can make and bake items like cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies up to a month in advance and freeze them,” she advises. Then, when holiday events roll around, families can simply thaw, heat and enjoy.
Outsource what you can’t do. If you can’t do it, shop small, Rysdon says. “There’s always someone in your area that might be able to help, but make sure you ask early enough. Many local businesses book quickly and early!”
Invest in a food scale. While many online recipes reference cup measurements, Rysdon has found that her tastiest treats are best when she measures the ingredients in grams using a food scale. “Cup measuring tools aren’t always accurate,” she advises. “Measuring in grams will become your best friend.”
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"Rysdon is enriching the region, one sweet bite at a time."