Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Hadel.
Hi Allyson, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Like so many small business owners, I never expected to be where I am today—raising kids and running a thriving home bakery. My journey began in early 2017, when our younger daughter experienced her first life-threatening allergic reaction. We were terrified in the moment, and once we made it through, we were overwhelmed by what it meant for her future. After additional reactions and testing, we learned she was allergic to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame—and at the time, egg as well. I was heartbroken at the thought of her growing up unable to enjoy something as simple and joyful as dessert.
So I got to work in my kitchen.
The first attempts were far from impressive—they weren’t even “fine.” My family patiently endured dense, dry, flavorless experiments as I learned to bake with alternative ingredients. But I was determined to get good at this. Slowly, the recipes improved. What started as “safe enough” became genuinely delicious.
A few years in, we hosted a birthday party and I made the cake. As guests raved about how good it was, my daughter’s eyes lit up. She looked at me and said, “Momma, I’m eating the same cake as everyone else—and they like it!” In that moment, I realized I wasn’t just baking around allergies—I was creating memories, in dessert form that everyone could truly enjoy together.
Family and friends encouraged me to start sharing my creations on Facebook, just to see what would happen. Orders slowly began coming in, word spread, and before I knew it, what started as a necessity had grown into a business.
What began as a way to protect my daughter grew into Treats by Allyson, a bakery known for indulgent, beautifully crafted desserts that just happen to be allergy-friendly. Many customers don’t even realize that’s how it started—they just know the treats taste incredible. My mission is simple: to create desserts that allow everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, to celebrate, indulge, and feel included—without paying a premium just to stay safe.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Was it a smooth road? Not at all.
Building this business meant carving out space—literally and figuratively. I had to make room in our home for a growing bakery while also protecting space for my roles as a present wife and mom. As I expanded my offerings, I had to expand my skill set—teaching myself new techniques, building a website from scratch, learning marketing, pricing, and systems. I had to figure out how to grow without spreading myself too thin.
There were hard lessons, too—like not working around the clock and learning to say no without feeling like I was sacrificing opportunity. From the outside, social media can make entrepreneurship look like sunshine and rainbows (and cupcakes!). But behind the scenes, there have been plenty of late nights, recipes tossed in the trash, designs scrapped and started over, and moments of real doubt.
Just a few years ago, I never would have imagined myself building tiered wedding cakes. It felt like both a dream and a nightmare—so exciting to think I could get there, and equally terrifying to wonder if I could truly learn enough to pull it off. There were plenty of confidence checks along the way.
Like every small business owner, I’ve faced failures and growing pains. But each challenge sharpened my skills, strengthened my boundaries, and clarified my mission. And every setback has made the success that much sweeter.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Treats by Allyson is an allergy-friendly home bakery born out of necessity but continues on passion (and sugar!). What started as a way to keep my daughter safe has grown into a business centered on high quality and celebration.
I specialize in creating indulgent, beautifully designed desserts that are free from dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and egg. But what truly sets my bakery apart is this: the desserts are not “good for being allergy-friendly”—they’re just good, delicious, actually. My goal has always been to ensure that no one feels like they’re eating the “separate” dessert. Every guest at the table genuinely loves what they’re eating, regardless of dietary restrictions.
Over the years, my offerings have expanded from simple celebration cakes to custom-designed desserts and tiered wedding cakes—something I once viewed as both a dream and a terrifying leap. Growth required refining my skills, raising my standards, and continually pushing myself creatively. Today, I’m known for crafting desserts that look just as beautiful as they taste, while maintaining strict attention to ingredient safety.
What sets me apart is the heart behind the brand. I understand firsthand what it feels like to navigate food allergies as a parent—the fear, the extra cost, the constant planning. That perspective shapes everything I do, from recipe development to pricing. I’m deeply committed to creating high-quality desserts at an accessible price point because families shouldn’t have to pay a luxury premium just to keep their child safe.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Treats by Allyson represents joy in eating together. When a child (or adult!) can eat the same cake as everyone else at a party—and when guests rave about it without realizing it’s allergy-friendly—that’s success to me. This business is built on resilience, intention, and a genuine desire to make delicious memories. Every late night, every failed batch, and every hard-earned skill has been in pursuit of one mission: to make celebrations sweeter and more enjoyable for everyone at the table.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, sports were everything to me. Tennis was my true passion, but summers were spent swimming, rollerblading, bike riding, and playing outside for hours on end. That love of sports has followed me into adulthood—I’m still cheering on the Orioles and Ravens, and some of my favorite moments now are watching games with our girls and our extended family. (I’m still holding out hope for an Orioles World Series win!)
I’ve always been a perfectionist. Nothing was ever quite good enough by my standards, which can be exhausting—but it’s also what’s pushed me to continually improve in my craft. I’ve never been someone who settles. If something can be better, I want to figure out how to make it better.
As the older sister, I was exactly what you’d expect—bossy, competitive, and not a fan of losing. I may or may not have tried to “adjust” the rules once or twice in my favor. My sister would luckily describe me more kindly, but the competitive streak is very real—and that drive still shows up in how I run my business today.
Outside of sports, I’ve always loved reading, working out and keeping up with the news. I’m naturally curious and like to know what’s going on in the world, which has shaped both how I think and how I connect with others.
Pricing:
- Everything is custom so prices vary
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.treatsbyallyson.com/
- Instagram: @treatsbyallyson
- Facebook: @treatsbyallyson
