Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Ehinger.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2024, I attended a baby shower where I saw the most beautifully decorated cookies I had ever encountered, and that moment sparked my passion for cookie artistry. By December, I enrolled in my first cookie-decorating class and immediately fell in love with the craft. In January 2025, I applied for my license and successfully completed all testing required under the Maryland Cottage Food Law. I officially opened my business on February 1, 2025, and have loved every minute of building it. I take pride in developing unique flavor combinations rather than offering ordinary options, and I have perfected a recipe that delivers soft, beautifully decorated sugar cookies that my clients truly love every crumb.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
During the early stages of building my business, perfecting my recipe was my top priority. My co-workers from my full-time job became my taste testers, enjoying countless samples and offering honest feedback that helped me refine every detail. Once my recipe was perfected, I began experimenting with the many different royal icing consistencies. The icing can’t be too thick to flood properly, but it also can’t be so thin that it runs down the sides of the cookie. Then comes finding the right consistencies for lettering, images, florals, stenciling, and drying times. It was definitely a challenge, but over time I discovered my favorites. Now I continually push myself to master finer details, shading, and techniques that take my cookies to the next level. I’m always watching tutorials and taking online classes to keep learning and growing. One of my greatest challenges is creating while living with rheumatoid arthritis. Most days I manage well, but on tougher days I have to pause my creativity and allow my hands and wrists the rest they need.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nana’s Cookie Lab. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Nana’s Cookie Lab, you can order and enjoy some of the best sugar cookies around. We are trying to reinvent the classic sugar cookie—transforming what was once dry and tasteless into something truly crave-worthy. I am constantly creating new flavor combinations to satisfy every palate, using high-quality ingredients in every batch. From our signature Vanilla Bean to more creative flavors like Orange Blossom, Strawberry, Cake Batter, and Espresso Chocolate, each cookie is crafted with care. To complete the experience, we also offer a variety of icing flavors designed to perfectly complement every cookie.
Here at Nana’s Cookie Lab, we create custom cookie sets for any theme you can imagine—from baby showers and weddings to birthdays and special celebrations. Simply share your vision, and we’ll work closely with you to bring it to life through beautifully designed, delicious cookies made just for your event.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking into the future, I hope to continue learning new techniques so I can create cookies similar to the beautiful designs I have seen from other cookie artists. I also plan to grow my business until it becomes my full-time career. At the moment, I balance a full-time job while running my cookie business on the side, but my goal is to turn my passion into my primary profession.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nanascookielab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanascookielab?igsh=MTV3dmxnODA1M3UwMw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C66QtG4qy/
- Other: https://form.jotform.com/253604914000142
