Welcome!

Welcome to The Beehive Bakery! I'm so glad you're here! I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce me, my bakery and my mission.

First things first, I'm Rocky! I'm the busy bee behind all the goodies you see. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 9 years. He is the practical to my abstract and helps all my lofty ideas come to life. My interest in food and cooking started when I was just three years old. I loved watching Julia Child on her various cooking shows, enthusiastically whipping up delicious meals. I loved listening to her explain things, even though I didn't always understand it. And most of all, she always seemed to be having so much fun!

My parents recognized my interest in the kitchen at that young age, and they fostered it. They would always let me help with family meals and, my favorite, desserts. I have so many memories of standing on a kitchen chair right next to my mom or dad, stirring things, measuring, adding ingredients and learning to get my hands dirty. One of my favorite things to do was pretend I was on my own cooking show, just like Julia Child.

I attending culinary school in Springfield, MO, and took an interest in the science behind recipe writing. I would stay after class and diligently take notes while my pastry chef instructor talked about ratios, reactions and moisture content. The more I studied the science behind recipes, the more interested in all-natural ingredients I became. It's my personal belief that everything we need to create delicious and beautiful treats can be found naturally. Eventually, I transitioned to using only natural ingredients, flavors and colors in my work.

I started baking for my friends and family while I was in high school. It started with my using store-bought mixes and jazzing them up with my own twists. Still today, my Espresso Brownies are requested at gatherings! My first cake "order" was a catfish groom's cake for my brother, followed a few years later by a police cruiser groom's cake for my brother-in-law. Word got out, and I found myself baking for coworkers, their kids, and then eventually friends of friends. I finally mustered up the courage to officially launch my home-based bakery in January 2022.

My mission is simple. I believe everyone deserves to have a treat! A few years ago, I was asked to make a gluten, diary, and nut-free wedding cake for a family member. I spent months writing recipes, testing, tasting and tweaking until I finally was happy with the result. When the cake was cut and served, many guests were concerned that the bride wouldn't be able to eat it because they couldn't believe it was actually gluten, dairy and nut-free. The months of hard work definitely paid off when the cake couldn't be differentiated from "the real thing".

I'd like to use this blog to share my trial and error of recipe writing, ingredient research, and a glimpse behind the scenes. For more exclusive content, including recipes, sign up for my free newsletter!

-Rocky B