Easy-Bake Oven to BV Bride

As a young child Rachel Reyes never envisioned playing with her “Easy-Bake Oven” would turn into anything more than child’s play, that is until she gave birth to her youngest child.

“In 2013, after having my son, Mason, I wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I knew I had to do something to provide income,” said Reyes. “That’s when I decided to start baking out of my home.”

Reyes, mother of five children and wife to Hector, took the leap and began baking in 2013.

“One day I’d like to open a small family owned bakery in Navasota and have my daughters help me make beautiful cakes and more,” explained Reyes.

Reyes has never had any formal training but said that she took a few classes at Michael’s Craft Store and spends lots of time learning from YouTube and Pinterest.

“I don’t have a favorite recipe to bake but strawberry has to be the most requested,” said Reyes. “I’ve found that the key to making a tasty cake is making sure it is moist.”

Reyes said she bakes cakes for all occasions, including wedding, baby shower, gender reveal, birthday and holidays.

“Birthday and holiday cakes are among my favorite to make, because I can be more creative and detailed with those,” said Reyes.

Recently, one of Reyes’s cakes was featured in the spring 2019 edition of Brazos Valley Bride as part of the Perishia and Patrick Jones Wedding.

“It was a four-tier wedding cake with red roses and greenery,” explained Reyes.

She said she also made a two-tier groom’s cake and 100 cupcakes for the wedding. The magazine highlights the work of local wedding vendors and the beautiful weddings and cakes throughout the Brazos Valley.

“Seeing my work in that magazine made me so excited,” stated Reyes.

The biggest inspiration for Reyes had been from her cousin, Doris Reyes Walkoviak, who passed away in September 2015.

“The greatest lesson I’ve ever learned was from my cousin,” explained Reyes. “She was a baker and before she passed away she shared some of her tips with me, including how to make a really great butter-cream icing.”

Reyes said she’s created some challenging cakes but has never taken on a cake that she didn’t feel confident that she could handle.

“I have overbooked before, which usually presents more of a challenge than the actual decorating of the cakes,” said Reyes.

Being an aspiring cake decorator does come with its share of challenges.

“My biggest blooper was the first time I ever attempted to make a naked cake,” recalled Reyes. “I guess I put too much icing in between each layer and when I went to transport it, it was literally falling apart. I was so stressed out.”

Reyes said she called the customer immediately to explain that she would need a few extra minutes with the cake.

“I was able to scrape all the icing off and redo it which didn’t take long because it was a naked cake. The customer was satisfied in the end, but that is one order that I will never forget.”

The most coveted items in Reyes’s kitchen are simple and something she’d never want to do without.

“I can do without a lot but don’t take my hand mixer or Viva paper towels,” said Reyes.

Design wise, Reyes said her greatest inspiration is Steffany Bowling, owner of Peace, Love and Cakes in Bryan.

“She makes the most beautiful cakes; her work is always so detailed and on point,” said Reyes.

When Reyes isn’t busy making cakes, she enjoys spending her free time making memories with her family.

Anyone wishing to order a cake can contact Rachel Reyes by phone 936-419-8477.