How Sweet It Is
Two smart cookies, bake-at-home moms make life a little sweeter.
Robyn Spizman Gerson is a New York Times best-selling author of many books, including “When Words Matter Most.” She is also a communications professional and well-known media personality, having appeared often locally on “Atlanta and Company” and nationally on NBC’s “Today” show. For more information go to www.robynspizman.com.
Sweet tooth lovers, brace yourself. If you love cookies, cakes and everything delicious, proceed ahead. The following stories feature two smart cookies and their love of baking, guaranteed to make your mouth water. Lindsay Morrison and Michelle Debowsky work in two different corners of Atlanta.
Morrison is in Brookhaven, Zooming how-to cookie classes by demand and making extraordinary cookie cakes. Debowsky lives in Alpharetta and focuses on edible paint-your-cookie kits and creatively themed cakes. While they don’t know each other, they have something delicious in common and are talented beyond measure.
Five years ago, native Atlantan Morrison quit her job in hotel sales to pursue her dreams of becoming a pastry chef at the International Culinary Center in New York City. After graduating at the top of her class, she worked for famous baker Dominique Ansel before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. There, she worked for a company making high end luxury desserts and taught classes at Sur La Table.
Morrison and her husband Ben moved back to Atlanta last summer, where she has been a bake-at-home-mom. Now Morrison, also mom of toddler Graham, takes custom orders for her cookie cakes, full of different flavors, toppings and even glitter. They are 1½ inches thick and uniquely customized with marshmallow fondant lettering. “Throughout the pandemic, I also started teaching ‘cookie Zooms’ and virtual baking classes online for corporate events, date nights, birthday parties, and even individually. It’s been so nice to interact with people all over the country throughout these difficult times and help make everyone’s 2020 a little sweeter.”
Regarding her style of baking, she said, “I used to make a funny cookie cake every year for Yom Kippur’s break the fast. I wrote things like: ‘You look hungry,’ ‘Already hangry,’ and it became something I always looked forward to creating. Here we are, a few years later, and my cookie cakes are fun for every celebration and I’m busier than ever. I’ve also done so many Zoom parties … birthdays, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and just a Tuesday night for something fun to do such as, ‘It’s 2020 and we’re all desperate.’”
She added, “My approach to baking is ‘professionally trained but traditionally inspired,’ elevating my childhood favorites making everything around me sweet, and that will be my life!”
For custom cookie cakes or classes, order or call ahead as this bake-at-home mom is in poplar demand, www.itslindsmorrison.com.
Native Atlantan Michelle Debowsky started baking for friends when she was in high school and took cookies into school for classmates and teachers for holidays.
Later, she met her husband Bryan at Camp Coleman when she was 19. Now living in Johns Creek, the couple moved often because Bryan was a dentist for the Air Force for five years. Debowsky is the Mom of two, ages 12 and 14, and baking is her passion.
“When I had children, I would make their cakes and desserts for all of their birthdays and loved it. Friends would ask me if I would bake for them and reluctantly, I said ‘yes.’ As I started to make more, I realized how much I loved doing it and how it sparked joy in others to have custom baked goods and their visions come to life.”
Having mastered the art, Debowsky uses a sugar-shortbread cookie as a base and royal icing to decorate, loves working with fondant and makes buttercream cakes. A self-taught baker, she watches many how-to videos and gains Pinterest tips, but believes her background having a studio art degree has helped tremendously. “I have loved making cakes and cookies for birthdays for the same families and children over the years. There is something very special knowing you are part of each of these family celebrations in some way.”
She added, “My husband Bryan is so patient with me taking over our kitchen with my baking. There is something a little ironic about the fact he is a dentist and I make sweets!”
You can find Debowsky on Facebook or email, eventcustomcookies@gmail.com.
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