Photos: Cake Eater Cookies
A baker explains how she discovered her true gift and turned it into Cake Eater Cookies.
Edina has long been known as the city of “cake eaters,” while others playfully joke that the name is an acronym for “Every Day I Need Attention.” Though often used as a jab, one resident has embraced these connotations and turned them into something truly delicious—Cake Eater Cookies. Its motto? “Every Day I Need A Cookie.”
This is the brainchild of Noel Berkholz, who has always loved baking. Whether bringing treats into work or crafting her kids’ birthday cakes from scratch, Berkholz loves making others happy through delicious sweets. Last October, she met a few girlfriends for a cookie decorating class and, much to her surprise, was instantly hooked with the artistry of it. “I had never decorated a cookie before in my life,” she says, “I went home and practiced and practiced.”
A month later, she made cookies for Thanksgiving, and her guests immediately encouraged her to explore turning her treats into a business. Quickly, the gathering became a brainstorming session, each person tossing out ideas for a name, when one stood out—Cake Eater Cookies. Berkholz says, “We are a family of Edina residents. ‘Cake Eater’ is something we were always called.” Within a couple weeks, the business was up and running. “I found my passion in my 40s,” Berkholz says. “I’m grateful for it.”
Edina Football-themed cookies, including a creative one of the crowd watching a game.
She admits that the “secret” ingredients in her cookie dough recipe are loads of butter and sugar. That being said, there are also secrets in the process, which from start to finish, takes about three days. She learned various methods by watching her mother, Denise Denison, bake. For example, Berkholz knows to use softened butter when mixing the batter and to refrigerate the dough for optimal baking. “My mom has the most amazing chocolate chip recipe that we’ve made since we were little,” she says. “They’re staples at every event, and because she was always making those, I learned from her.”
Her mother wasn’t her only inspiration for baking. Growing up, her parents hosted gingerbread (graham cracker) house decorating parties. Armed with a few bags of candy, neighbors would flood through the front door for the annual tradition and community. Berkholz recalls her dad, Bill Denison, being in charge of making the icing. Because of the pure volume needed, he found a unique solution to such a challenge. “My dad would mix the icing in a bucket with a power drill,” she says, “So now when I make icing, I always think of my dad.”
Noel Berkholz
Now with a year of experience under her belt, Berkholz mastered the required elements of cottage baking, such as soft, velvety cookies with a mouth-watering frosting (no drill required). But almost as important, Berkholz took the past year to finesse her decorating skills. From flowers to sports jerseys, no design is out of reach for her.
Edina resident Samantha Callahan first tried Cake Eater Cookies when she custom ordered Tinkerbell-themed cookies for her daughter’s 5th birthday. “She really outdid herself!” Callahan says. “They were absolutely adorable, and everyone raved about them.”
Callahan is a very happy repeat customer with plans to employ Berkholz to create Wizard of Oz-themed cookies for her daughter’s next birthday.
Easter Bunny cookies inspired by a popular holiday treat.
Taste and beauty aside, Cake Eater Cookies also offers gluten-free options, without impacting flavor. This option is a key factor for many, including Callahan, whose daughter has a gluten allergy. “They taste the same as regular cookies. I love that she offers this for kids like mine,” Callahan says. Berkholz says while she offers gluten-free cookies, there is a chance of cross-contamination, since she bakes in the same kitchen where she uses regular flour. The cookies also freeze well—in fact—one customer ordered 100 cookies for a wedding, froze them before a flight and transported them all the way to California as wedding favors.
Berkholz reflects on her business and notes that Cake Eater Cookies has given her the opportunity to support the community with her gift of baking, while caring for her family. “I’m a stay at home mom with three kids who are very involved with a lot of activities,” she says, “Doing this allows me to create my own schedule and balance my business and home life.” When she’s in the kitchen, however, she’s in her sweet spot. “Decorating is my therapy,” she says. “It’s my love language.”
Custom cookies should be ordered two weeks in advance to ensure top quality, service and design. Orders of one to three dozen are welcome. So go ahead—have your cookie, and eat it too.
Cake Eater Cookies
inquiries@cakeeatercookies.com
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