The school hallway is filled with the irresistible smell of freshly baked cookies, a scent that’s become familiar to students who know where to look: sophomore Gabriella Forse’s cookies are quickly becoming a favorite. A student with a passion for baking, Forse has turned her love for cookies into a successful small business, selling her homemade creations to classmates, teachers, and friends.
To Forse, baking is more than just a hobby. It is a way to create joy and share a part of herself.
“I first got into baking because I wanted to create positive, lasting memories,” Forse said. “The kitchen became my space to relax and express my creativity. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they tried my cookies made me realize just how much I loved doing this.”
What started as a fun way to pass the time quickly evolved into something bigger.
“For a while, I was just baking to give to my friends and teachers to brighten their day,” Forse said. “But as my cookies became more popular, people started suggesting that I should sell them. As an experiment I quickly started up a business and to my surprise I almost immediately sold out.”
Forse’s decision to start selling her cookies was not driven by the desire for money, but rather by the desire to share her talent with others and fund her growing passion.
“I started selling to share my creations and to get some extra money for my hobby,” Forse said. “I typically bake in bulk, so the costs can add up, but seeing how much people enjoyed my cookies made me want to continue.”
Her cookie business quickly gained traction, allowing her to create a more diverse selection.
“I have a wide variety of cookies, but the cookies and cream flavor—made with crushed Oreos, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips—is definitely the crowd favorite,” Forse said. “It has a great texture, and it always sells out first.”
Despite the demand, Forse is not just focused on making sales; she is dedicated to the quality of her cookies.
“I try to use the best ingredients I can find,” Forse said. “I always use butter instead of oil because it adds a richer flavor and makes the cookies fluffier. I also add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors and save some add-ins to put on top for a more polished look.”
As any baker knows, creating the perfect cookie requires patience. For Forse, she has learned and applied that rule through and through
“I don’t cut corners,” Forse said. “It’s about making the best cookies I can, and that takes time.”
Of course, managing a small business while balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars isn’t always easy. Fortunately, Forse has come up with a system to keep everything in check.
“I bake on Monday and Tuesday evenings,” Forse said. “That way, I can focus on schoolwork during the rest of the week. I also try to avoid baking or doing schoolwork on weekends so I can relax and spend time with friends.”
According to Forse, the most rewarding part of her cookie business is hearing feedback from customers.
“Customer feedback is really important to me,” Forse said. “Even the small details people mention often lead to big improvements in my cookies. It’s all about making the product better and better each time.”
Looking ahead, Forse plans to continue growing her business and experimenting with new flavors.
“I like to brainstorm fun combinations or take recommendations from others,” Forse said. “One of my favorites is the Rockstar cookie, which has pretzels, toffee, chocolate chips, and semisweet chocolate chunks. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty.”
Above all, Forse’s goal is to create cookies that bring comfort and happiness to those who eat them.
“I hope people feel a sense of comfort and enjoyment when they eat my cookies,” Forse said. “I want them to feel like it’s a small escape from their day.”
