About Me…

I’m Joy, an American, who is now living the dolce vita in Italy!  I grew up with flour on my cheeks and a spoon in hand, helping my Grandma Jean in the kitchen. She believed the best way to show love was through something warm from the oven—and I happily took that to heart. Over the years, I started sharing that same joy through my own cookies, spreading smiles one sweet bite at a time.

Friends and family had been enjoying my baked goods for years (and politely fighting over the last cookie), but things took a fun twist when a friend of a friend tasted one of my gingersnaps at a study group and insisted I enter the Chicago Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest. I entered… and won! Suddenly, my grandma’s recipe—and my cookies—were getting love far beyond my inner circle.

Baking stayed my happy place, a delicious outlet from my busy law firm life, until early 2025 when I traded billable hours for cobblestone streets and moved to Florence, Italy for a sabbatical. Surrounded by art, espresso, and endless inspiration, I started thinking… maybe it’s time to turn this joyful little hobby into something more.

Because honestly? Few things make me happier than baking—and seeing someone’s face light up after their first bite.

Only the Best Ingredients

Great cookies start with great ingredients. That’s why I bake with only the freshest, highest-quality staples—think creamy farm-fresh eggs, stone-milled Italian flour, golden butter, and fragrant spices. Living in Italy has spoiled me (and my cookies!) with access to incredible local ingredients that bring out rich, authentic flavors in every batch. No shortcuts, no compromises—just real, delicious goodness in every bite.

Grandma’s Recipes

Every batch of my cookies begins with a little inspiration from my Grandma Jean. Her classic recipes laid the foundation—but I’ve added my own twist, taking them to the next level while staying true to the comforting, homemade flavors she taught me to love. From the first stir to the final sprinkle of sugar, there are two ingredients that never change in any of my cookies: love and JOY.