Craft House Baking
Creative Custom Cakes from a Willits Kitchen
by Maryann Grunseth
Growing up, Jackie Cobbs, owner of Craft House Baking, did not have a love of baking. “I think I tried making chocolate chip cookies a few times, messed that up, and was banned from trying again,” says Jackie with a laugh. It was only later in life, when her gluten and dairy intolerances became more pronounced, that Jackie turned to baking cakes to satisfy her sweet tooth and to create birthday cakes for her two sons, Henry and Marshal, and her husband, Kale.
From looking at her epic confectionery creations, you would not know that these splendid inventions (cakes, cupcakes, tarts, macarons, and croquembouches) were born out of necessity. Jackie’s love of cooking is evident. Creativity and experimentation took the place of any formal pastry education. While Jackie does not want to be pigeonholed as a gluten- and dairy-free baker, her extensive menus prove that she can craft a dessert for both discerning palates and restrictive diets.
Jackie launched Craft House Baking in 2022 after being told at a family event for the umpteenth time, “You should sell your cakes.” So she gave it a go, applied for a Cottage Food Permit, and set up Facebook and Instagram pages. Word spread, and the orders started coming in. About a year later, when both her boys were in school, Jackie took to baking full-time. She appreciates that her cakes let her be a part of other families’ celebrations. She shared that while most of her requests are from moms for their children’s birthday parties, she has received some novelty orders, including boob- and cannabis-shaped cakes.
When asked how Mendocino County inspires her, she says, “People in Mendocino County have a laid-back, classic style, and I feel like my cakes have that look.” She adds, “I bake everything from scratch, and people around here appreciate that.” Jackie’s work marries the homemade taste of a sponge cake with extravagant and detailed decoration that includes everything from space kittens (for her son Marshal’s birthday last year) to elegant wedding and celebratory cakes with fruit and drips. Her favorite flavor combinations include a matcha cake with passion fruit curd, as well as the classic chocolate and peanut butter.
“I have never considered myself a perfectionist, but with cakes I am,” shares Jackie. Each cake can take three to six hours to mix, bake, assemble, and decorate. When asked about some of the challenges that come with opening and operating her business, she shared that the bumpy country road out from her family’s property has made transporting cakes a little more eventful. Additionally, she and her family live off-grid, and that comes with its own challenges.
In the fall and winter of 2023, Jackie entered the Greatest Baker, an online baking competition run by TV personality and cake baker, Buddy Valastro. The competition ran through February 2024, and the public cast their vote daily for their favorite local baker based on the photos posted each week. The prize for first place was an article in Bake from Scratch magazine and $10,000.
Though she didn’t win, Jackie made it to the quarterfinals, competing against the top 1% of contestants, including many bakers who have been in the business for decades. Jackie appreciated the experience, reflecting, “It’s been great putting myself out there, trying to toot my own horn. It is not something I am great at, and it has pushed me outof my comfort zone.” This willingness to try new things, combined with her self-taught baking chops and endless creativity, makes the future of Craft House Baking look pretty sweet.
Custom orders start around $75 for a 6-inch round. To place an order, call Jackie directly at 707-272-3523. Insta & Facebook: @crafthousebaking
During the day, Maryann serves as a nonprofit fundraising consultant. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and taking in the beauty of Northern California.
Photos courtesy of Craft House Baking. Jackie image by Maureen Jennison
