“My mom says I’ve been baking ever since I could stand on a stool,” said 11-year-old Marika Blumhofer. In her years of practice measuring and stirring, she’s learned to love the precision of a recipe that can turn out carrot cake or cookies. “But eating it is the best part,” she added, “because it always tastes better if you make it yourself.”
What starts with sugar, butter, and flour will turn into something richer this Sunday, Feb. 1, as our annual bake sale hosted by 4th and 5th grade girls raises money for Emanuel Food Pantry, part of our ministry partner Iglesia Emanuel. “It’s a really good cause and we’re really good bakers, so whatever you buy it’s going to be good,” Marika said confidently. “It’s fun to show people something you made.”
Get ready for the sweetest event of the year! Stop by the Commons or Upper Atrium this Sunday, Feb. 1, to find a variety of baked items for sale. Cash or check are preferred.
Among Marika’s favorite recipes are cupcakes with a whipped-cream center and a gluten-free chocolate cake, but she’s considering a new chocolate chip cookie recipe for this year’s bake sale. It uses a sourdough starter and browned butter to add extra depth of flavor. “And we add sea salt to our cookies,” she said. “I think it makes them a lot better because it’s a really nice contrast to the chocolate.”
This year’s event will take place between worship services, with tables of baked goods set up in the Commons and Upper Atrium. It’s all pay-what-you-wish, with proceeds going to the pantry, which served nearly 38,000 families in 2025. Our yearly bake sale shows how community can rise from simple ingredients — last year’s fundraiser brought in just over $2,200 for Deep Common Journey partner Reality Ministries.
There will be plenty of sweet treats, but some savory options will be on the table as well. Sylvia Pikaart plans to bring sourdough bread, granola, and quick bread — a recipe she uses regularly that relies on baking soda and baking powder instead of yeast. The result is a denser loaf that works well for muffins, zucchini bread, and more. “There’s always lots of sweet stuff,” Sylvia said, “and I know sometimes grownups want something without sugar.”
“It’s a fun tradition, and we also get to support one of the church’s ministry partners,” said Sylvia, also 11. “Plus, it’s fun to see people from church, talk with them, and share what we’ve made.”