Bringing Childhood Passion to Life with Baked By Brie

For Brianne “Brie” Saskowski, baking is more than just a hobby. Since an early age, the Victor mom of two has always loved being in the kitchen, whether that was baking “gourmet” cookies (“One giant cookie out of dough!”) with the neighbor or helping her own mother during the holidays and other special celebrations.

Now, she’s taken that passion and turned it into her own online baking enterprise at Baked By Brie, a local womanowned business which just celebrated its first birthday!

“It started with baking a few cakes for family celebrations and really taking the time and effort to try new recipes, techniques, etc.,” Brie said. Having managed a local restaurant right out of college and working there for the first few major milestones of her life—including buying her first house, getting married, and having her first baby—Brie decided it was time for a change of pace.

By the time she was pregnant with her son, Covid hit, restaurants closed, and suddenly she found herself home more than she had ever been before with a toddler and a newborn. When regulations lifted and the world started to open again, Brie made her decision. “While I loved the restaurant industry, I decided to take a leap of faith and created Baked By Brie.”

The results speak for themselves. Before she knew it, she was doing multiple orders a week.

“Most often I was doing at least eight dozen custom cut out cookies and two cakes,” Brie said. “I also just celebrated one year of being in business and wow, what a year it has been!”

Operating through both her Instagram and Facebook pages, a great deal of correspondence is done online and through direct messages. Customers can reach out, share ideas, and place orders for special events, receiving prompt updates. When it comes to some of the cookies and cakes she’s created over the past year, each stand out in their own way.

“All of my orders bring something new to the table, but I have to say one of my favorites would be an animal safari birthday cake I made,” Brie reflected. The bold colors and playful decorations make this one a little difficult to want to eat—but not impossible! It’s something Brie is particularly proud of, as well. “The fondant animals were a reminder to myself that I can do more than I think I’m capable of.”

Another recent order that never fails to make her smile is a cookie and cake set for a “fourever Golden” birthday. Full of pinks and flowers, each cookie was artfully crafted, all made to celebrate a four-year-old’s special day. Especially impressive is Brie’s ability to make each cookie appear uniform—not an easy feat when done by hand!

“Everything about the set was just whimsical and beautiful, and it made my heart happy to have a part in creating it,” Brie said. The delicate lettering on the cookies also speak to how much time and effort is spent on making each one by hand and with care. Every batch is unique and speaks to both the baker and her customer. By simply scrolling through her Instagram feed, it’s more than clear her talents and efforts have paid off.

Of course, Brie’s favorites will always be the creations she does for her family, especially her husband, Andy, and their two kids, Brekkin and Dawson. “They are the reason I push myself every day to be better and do better. They are my biggest supporters and always the best taste testers for new ideas.”

Starting, owning, and running a small business has not been an easy feat, but it is one Brie is immensely proud of. While experimenting with different recipes and techniques, she has also learned a number of valuable lessons over the last year.

Brie and her husband, Andy, currently reside in Victor with their children, Brekkin (4) and Dawson (2), along with their fur baby, Harley. You can follow her baking adventures on both Instagram and Facebook @BAKEDBYBRIE.ROC