Creating Pop-ular Treats

Creating

-ULAR Treats

by Jean Eisenmann | photo of owner courtesy of Peter Pacheco & photos of seashells and pokemon cake pops courtesy of Nicole Luster-Pacheco

Flower Mound’s Nicole Luster-Pacheco is a wife, mother, businesswoman, community supporter — and she works under the big top. Nicole is the driving force behind Big Top Cake Pops, a home-based bakery business generating the most awesome and delicious cake pops you will ever eat – or ever see. Each piece is such a work of art that you’ll be tempted to put them on display in your home!

Big Top Cake Pops creates delectable cake pops that can be customized for every occasion or theme you can think of or for no specific occasion at all. Whatever your pop of choice might be, Nicole will create it. She is passionate about her creations, crafting, and incredibly detailed designs that range from beautiful and blingy to cute and funny. Her cake pop gallery is like viewing an artist’s portfolio. And they taste fantastic.

It all started as a hobby in 2011, when she was gifted with some cake pops and fell in love. Choosing to learn the craft through practice, not a baking class, she discovered an artistic talent she never knew she had. Little did Nicole know that she was preparing for a burgeoning career. That is, until 2014.

“After my daughter was born, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom when my husband suggested selling the pops,” Nicole explained. “I gave it a fun name that ‘pops’ and began building a business.”

The treats are made with the finest ingredients and baked in small batches throughout the day to ensure freshness. Nothing is ever frozen. Nicole assembles her cake pops using cake that is crumbled and mixed with frosting or icing, then coated in chocolate.

This ensures you will taste both cake and frosting with every bite, not a solid ball of dry cake covered in fondant. “Every cake pop I create is crafted with love,” Nicole confessed. “My reward comes from my customers complimenting me and how delighted they are.” As if the pops weren’t enough, the shop also crafts artisan chocolate-covered Oreos, Rice Krispies treats, and gourmet pretzels, all decorated with the same unique flair as the pops.

Nicole often supports the community by contributing her treats to hospitals, police and fire departments, PTAs, and church auctions. She also supports local womenowned businesses by creating pop-up shops within their establishments.

Customers are loyal to her gourmet treasures. Some even drive an hour to satisfy their sweet tooth. “My best form of advertising for Big Top Cake Pops is through word-ofmouth referrals from satisfied customers,” Nicole said. And those customers sometimes become life-long supporters. Nicole explained, “I’ve had the pleasure of creating cake pops for customers’ weddings, then their baby showers, and even their children’s birthdays!” Keep in mind that Nicole handles all the baking and decorating herself and has it down to a science. One of her latest orders had her in the kitchen for a solid 42 hours.

Nicole’s ability to work so expertly on such little canvases is a treat for the eye as well as the palate. After seven years, she’s still having fun doing it! Now that’s a pop star.

www.BIGTOPCAKEPOPS.net