Behindthe Scenes

The word “whimsy” by common definition refers to something playful, fanciful and could also be magical or unpredictable. When it comes to Sheridan Stokes’ sugar cookies, they are all of that and more. She is the creative force behind The Whimsy Whisk, a homebased baking business that creates custom sugar cookies in a variety of shapes, sizes, and decorated for a variety of events. The options are many - birthdays, weddings, holidays, graduations and more.

Even though Sheridan enjoyed baking brownies and cookies with her mother, (so she could lick the spoon), she took an interest in baking after college in 2014. It all started with a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cake, and then her interest grew as she tried more recipes and more decanted deserts.

Sheridan Stokes of Owensville

Set Free Photography

Thinking back to childhood, Sheridan giggled and admitted, “Yes, I did love the EZ Bake oven, however, I much prefer real life size desserts.”

Her business the Whimsy Whisk began with encouragement from her sister. Sheridan loves sugar cookies and began trying Santa and Mrs. Claus shapes in December 2019. She found it difficult and nearly gave up, preferring more traditional baked items. However, that Christmas for a gift her sister gave her a $20 bill and a note that said she had one year to use the cash for business cards. “Her faith and nudge still to this day is one of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received,” Sheridan reflected.

At first Sheridan thought she’d do more traditional baking like breads, pies and cakes. However, if she was going to open her own business, she had to be unique, do something to stand out and be different. That’s when she revisited sugar cookies. During the Covid timeout, Sheridan did so much research, bought the tools of the trade, and practiced A LOT!

By September 2020, she took the leap and made some bridesmaid proposal cookies which gave her the courage to post Halloween and Christmas presale orders on her Facebook page. That Halloween post brought in orders for around 200-300 cookies!

A sample of wedding cookies.

Sheridan remembers, “That number was so surprising to me for my first sale, I had to post SOLD OUT.” That’s when she officially started her business and side hustle, The Whimsy Whisk, in October, 2020.

After the first custom order for a bridal shower came in January 2021, Sheridan has been rolling, in dough that is. She typically makes 6-12 batches a week but has made up to 36 dozen. Christmas is by far the busiest season when she averages 1500 cookies for the month. Her second busiest time is May. There are orders for Mother’s day, graduation, birthdays and appreciation days for teachers and nurses.

When you’re making that many cookies it adds up to a lot of butter, flour and eggs. Sheridan says she always uses real butter, not margarine and about three to six pounds weekly, but up to nine to twelve pounds when she’s busiest. Over the last few years, the price of butter has nearly doubled. The same can be said for eggs. She goes through an average of a dozen eggs weekly, but during busy time, she can easily use two dozen, and those prices have made a big impact on a small baking business.

The most time consuming part of the cookie business is the decorating. Sheridan says, “ A simple, normal cookie set might take me 1 hour per dozen, but a more complicated or detailed set has been known to take me over 4 hours per dozen. This includes fine detailed writing, hand painted metallic details, and characters. Note that this is only the decorating, not including the dough making, baking, icing coloring, and the packaging at the end.”

When it comes to the final step - packing, Sheridan said that her mom has been a huge help, especially with holidays preorders. She explained, “Cookies are always cello bagged which allows them to maintain their freshness for 2 weeks and my cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months as well. Packaging is a high priority for me. Custom cookies are a luxury and I want my customers to feel like they are also getting a boutique, luxury product and experience when they pick up their order. After all, it is custom and made just for them! “

Since Sheridan’’s cookies are available by pick up in Owensville, her distribution area is Gibson County, but she also has customers that come from Poseyville, Evansville, Newburgh and a few in Indianapolis. One day she may have a delivery driver, but not yet.

A big highlight was to be featured in a local magazine a few months back. Sheridan said, “Honestly, this was a dream! I couldn’t believe that my small home bakery was noticed by Evansville Living. Especially all the way out in Owensville . . . It was such an honor truly to be recognized. I still pinch myself.”

The Whimsy Whisk has some fanciful ideas for the future. It’s not to be a regular brick and mortar store goal but she would like to perfect her techniques.

Sheridan commented that she’d like to learn how to watercolor paint on cookies, and maybe someday offer cookie classes or host private cookie decorating parties. What a fun future she has planned.

A Thanksgiving sample.