Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Maile.
Hi Andrea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have been scratch baking since I was 10 years old. I remember using Dr. Pepper for “soda” in a recipe my first time baking a cake by myself, I like to think I’ve greatly improved since then. I started this baking business back in 2015 and haven’t looked back, though I’ve definitely changed a lot since then. I found my niche in a cookbook my mother-in-law gave me called A Zombie Ate My Cupcake; ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with creating macabre cupcakes and other spooky and nerdy treats. I pretty much live for Halloween anyways, so it made sense, but I do traditional stuff as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Being a home bakery, I was a little nervous when the pandemic hit, but I soon realized it was the perfect time to rebrand into The Hallowed Crumb. 2020 was also the year I discovered hot cocoa bombs which took off, so I did really well during the last quarter of the year. Those are more of a seasonal item, so they can’t really support business throughout the year. I had plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop and spent about a year trying to finance and negotiate a lease on what I thought to be the perfect spot, but that recently fell through, so I’m trying to pivot and figure out where I want to go from here.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a baker. I specialize in spooky and nerdy-themed cookies and cupcakes. I’m known for my Macabre Cupcakes, Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies, Homemade Oreos (Horror-eos, Star War-eos), and Cocoa Bombs. I love what I do and love coming up with new things to make. I really enjoy seeing people’s reactions to some of the stuff I bring to events. I think what sets me apart from others is the uniqueness of what I’m baking. I try to keep a creepy element in play, even if it’s just a basic cookie.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My family is a huge part of what I do. My elder daughter, Eva, is with me at just about every show. All of my children help out in some way, even if it’s just putting together boxes or labeling things for me. I especially couldn’t do this without the help and patience of my husband, Adam. Things do get a little stressful from time to time, and he’s always there for me!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehallowedcrumb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehallowedcrumb
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hallowedcrumbs
- Order Inquiries – thehallowedcrumb@gmail.com
Image Credits
Tess Smith Photography
