Marin baker known for her custom cakes, cookies

Trains, animals and princesses show up regularly in the collection of custom cookies and cakes made by Greenbrae resident Ali Stillman of cottage bakery Babaloo Bakes. Some of the more unique wishes for children’s birthdays, baby and bridal showers, classroom gatherings and other events call for a bit of sleuthing and experimentation.

“It’s fun seeing the trends, like recently I had four orders for unicorns, and in the spring, it was rainbows,” Stillman said.

But a client’s call for a shag rug cake necessitated a deep dive online to figure out how to recreate the plush, tufted texture using a grass piping tip.

“I enjoy continuing to learn and grow and figure out what I can do,” she said.

Stillman’s royal icing cookies, mini and regular cupcakes and 4-, 6- and 8-inch cakes are all tailored to the occasion. She’s taken art classes throughout her life and brings that training to the visual side of baking, whether pulling hues directly from an invitation, matching an image or translating a loosely described idea into frosting and fondant.

Because many orders are for children, Stillman sticks primarily to vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and lemon cakes, along with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry buttercream made with simple whole ingredients. The iced sugar cookies are packaged individually and heat-sealed in cellophane bags.

“I really try to be cognizant of what parents want to be feeding their little ones,” said Stillman, adding that she also offers gluten-free and dairy-free options.

Stillman’s baking journey began long before she officially launched her home business.

“I’ve been baking since I could reach the countertops,” she said.

After the birth of her son four years ago, she began baking more regularly for friends and family in the evenings while working in environmental consulting. As word spread and demand grew, she formalized the business three years ago and shifted her focus to it full time last year.

The name reflects her story.

“Babaloo was a childhood nickname, and since this is very much my ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ job, it felt especially fitting,” said Stillman, crediting her grandmothers, who are avid bakers, as inspiration.

In addition to hosting workshops and participating in events at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, Stillman partners with the Social Klub, an indoor playground in Sausalito where parents can order custom cakes for birthday parties. She also works with venues to create paint-your-own-cookie kits.

To place an order, fill out a form with color and design preferences at babaloobakes.square.site, where you can also link to her Instagram account to view past creations. Lead time is typically two weeks.

For your valentine

Babaloo Bakes is holding 30-minute cupcake decorating workshops suitable for all ages at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon Sunday at the Marin Art and Garden Center at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross. The fee includes a brief demonstration and a kit with three freshly baked cupcakes, two bags of buttercream frosting, sprinkles and customizable fondant toppers ($39.19). Register at maringarden.org. Spots are limited.

For those curious to learn the basics of intricately decorated sugar cookies, San Rafael resident Lindsay Holdorf, owner of Marin Cake Studio, is hosting a cookie decorating workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at her cake studio in San Rafael’s West End.

The two-hour class is geared toward beginners and those looking to refine their skills and covers dough preparation and decorating fundamentals, including royal icing piping techniques and tools. Participants receive six cookies, four icing colors, sprinkles and a take-home box ($64.26 to $71.21).

Holdorf also has a selection of Valentine’s Day treats available for preorder, including a chocolate chip cookie cake heart, ombre heart cake, red heart cupcakes, iced cookies and a DIY cookie kit.

Marin Cake Studio is at 1545 Fourth St. in San Rafael. Reserve a seat at the workshop, learn about hosting a private event or place Valentine’s Day or other custom cake, cookie and cupcake orders at marincakestudio.com.

Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with news and recommendations and follow on Instagram @therealdealmarin for more on local food and updates on the launch of The Real Deal Marin restaurant search guide.