By Misty Cryer
Local bakery Chelsea’s Cookies and Cakes is preparing for the holidays. Still, amid the hustle and bustle of creating custom orders of cookies, cakes, pies, and other treats, the bakery is also hosting a “Sweet and Savory” night to teach attendees how to decorate cookies and create charcuterie boards.
The class will be held at 5 p.m. on November 23 at the bakery, located at 2212 W. Lea St. Registration for the class is currently open. To register, visit https://chelseascookiesandcakes.com/class-tickets.
Chelsea Crawford said she has hosted cookie decorating classes before, but this is the first collaboration with her friend, Jackie Lecompte, who owns Board at Home in Artesia. She said the class was scheduled previously but had to be rescheduled for this month. The class is about a quarter full. “We have room for 12 to 15 more,” she said.
The bakery has a huge lobby that is practically unused, Chelsea said. She said this space is used for the classes, adding that they plan to add a dine-in area early next year.
In the class, Chelsea will teach cookie decorating with Jackie instructing charcuterie design and methods, such as creating a rose. All supplies for the class will be provided, Chelsea said.
Chelsea’s Cookies and Cakes opened at the Lea Street location in February of 2024. “We make everything from scratch,” she said. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
“We generally have a variety of items such as muffins, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cookies, etc.,” she said. She also provides gourmet and decorated cookies, cakes, pies, and other treats, for which she said, “I typically take custom orders.
“I have always loved baking,” Chelsea said. She said she used to make baked goods for family and friends. “I stopped for a while,” she added.
When Chelsea’s kids started school, she started baking again for teachers and class events. Eventually, she said, “I got confident enough to go to the Farmer’s Market.” She explained this was when she lived in Texas, where she started a home-based bakery in 2019.
“I didn’t do cakes at first,” Chelsea said. A customer who had bought baked goods and hot chocolate bombs from her before asked her to make a wedding cake. She said she made the wedding cake; it was beautiful, and she really liked doing it. After that experience, she said cakes were added to her offerings.
Prior to opening the bakery earlier this year, Chelsea operated from home both in Texas and in Carlsbad. She said she and her family have been here for about three years. Together, she said, they decided to open a storefront. “We bought the building two years before opening,” Chelsea said, explaining that the renovation of the building took some time. Rather than having a grand opening, she said, they decided on a “soft opening.”
Chelsea said she and her “awesome husband,” Mark, have been married for 14 years. They have three “wonderful” kids. “Carter is 12, Madison is nine, and Marybelle is four. They are good kids,” she said.
Chelsea said the kids are interested in sports. “Carter plays football, soccer, and basketball. Madison plays soccer and basketball. Marybelle plays soccer.” She added, “Carter is in the gifted and talented program through the school.”
Chelsea said the girls like to help out and feel part of it, so she sets them up at a table where they can roll out dough on the side.
Chelsea said she plans to offer a special for Small Business Saturday but has not decided what it will be yet. To stay informed, follow Chelsea’s Cookies and Cakes on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChelseasCookiesandCakesNM). Custom orders can be placed through the website or by contacting the bakery at 575-725-0317.
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