About Us

  My name is Jeney and I am the owner and head baker here at Peney Cakes! (Let's be real, though. I'm the only employee here at Peney Cakes.) I have been contractually joined together by the state of Wisconsin to the most amazing partner and Sprinkle Master, Brian, for eight completely bonkers revolutions around the sun. We have two children; Juno, an 12-ish-year-old Siberian Husky (Official Floor Cleaner) and Oliver, a 3-year-old human (Taste Tester Extraordinaire). But enough about me. Why don't I tell you a little bit more about how this little bakery was started?

I think I should start at the beginning… I graduated in 2008 right amidst the Recession. I had big plans to take my degree back to Chicago where I grew up and establish myself as the next big journalist of my generation. But, in reality, I had to take whatever job I could get my hands on. After all, those student loan bills would be showing up in my mailbox sooner rather than later. 

Fast forward ten years and I had come and go from eight different jobs, fallen in love, moved to and from three different states (none of them Illinois), purchased two houses, and now held the tiniest thing I never knew I could love in my arms. Looking in to that squishy little face, I knew he deserved more than a mom who was miserable the majority of her waking hours at work. I deserved better. 

You see, un the cold Minnesota winter of 2018, I found myself at the end of maternity leave with terrible anxiety about returning to my soul-sucking desk job. It wasn’t that I wanted to be stay-at-home mom; on the contrary, I wanted to return to work. But returning to my job? Returning to the insurance sales position which brought be absolutely no joy, mountains of anxiety, all harbored in an incredibly toxic workplace? Nope. I was not looking forward to it. 

I had dreamed of owning my own bakery since my second “big girl” job. I had moved 600 miles away from my family and friends to Fargo, North Dakota and found solace in baking. My mother taught me how to bake when I was young, and it helped me feel centered in my new normal. Then, suddenly in 2014, my mother died of a heart attack. Her lessons have stayed with me and many of the recipes I use are written in her own handwriting on old fashioned recipe cards. 

So, during those frigid, dark weeks of my maternity leave I made a decision. I decided to face my fears, get the licensing needed, and officially open Peney Cakes from my very own kitchen. Baking the recipes that have been handed down to me from my family and friends, I find incredible joy in creating gourmet cupcakes, cheesecakes, and desserts for my clients. Seeing those smiles spread on their faces when they pick up their orders is – hands down – so much more satisfying than adjusting the coverage limits on auto policies. 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for stopping by and getting to know me. I hope someday I have the honor of getting to know you, too! If you bring the cold brew, I’ll bring the cupcakes. 

FAQs

Do you sell individual cupcakes? Do you have anything “in stock”?

Unfortunately, I do not currently have the ability to sell anything on a single-serve basis. As I work on such a small scale, all my business is custom and the smallest order I am able to take is by the dozen. However! I do offer cupcakes for individual purchase at my weekend pop-up shops - check my social media for hours and locations. 

Do you do variety boxes?

Variety packs are only available if you purchase pop-up cupcakes. Since I work on such a small scale, it is not feasible to offer variety packs for custom orders. 

Do you deliver?

Yes! As long as you have a local (Fergus Falls) address, I will deliver free if charge. However, if you live outside of Fergus Falls, appropriate delivery charges will be added to your order. 

Do you have separate equipment and tools for your gluten free products?

I do not. I bake out of my own kitchen and as a result, I use my equipment to cook everything from my family dinner to your order. So please keep in mind my tools and kitchen come in contact with wheat, soy, dairy, egg, nut, and all other sorts of foods that may cause reactions to those with severe allergies. 

How much advance notice do you need for an order?

Ideally, two weeks for a fully customized order. This gives me plenty of time to gather all the supplies I need to make your desserts everything you want and more. However, I understand this isn’t always a possibility. I can whip up smaller orders of cupcakes in a day, and I do have plenty of fun sprinkles, colored liners, and toppers on hand if you’re willing to be flexible!