Baker Interview with Flour Gals Bakery
Welcome to the Baker & Cake Decorator Interviews Series!
Hi, sweet friends! I am delighted to feature Alyssa Garza with Flour Gals Bakery in Cypress, Texas for March’s cake and cookie decorator. Alyssa has some AMAZING cookie and cake designs! It is my first time featuring a baker specializing in cookie decorating, and I wish I had some of her cookie decorating talent! She shares her story on how she got started, persevered after dealing with a hostile client, and her favorite creations in her baker interview below. Follow her stunning cookies and cakes on her Instagram. Click here to find a ton of inspiration and personal stories from talented cake decorators.
Baker Interview with Flour Gals Bakery
This interview has been edited for clarity and length, preserving original responses
Check out what Alyssa had to say in our interview:
Can you share a bit about yourself?
My name is Alyssa Garza! I was born and raised in Cypress, a suburb about 30 minutes outside Houston, TX. I’m the middle child of three, aunt to the most amazing 9 year old girl, and recently engaged to the love of my life! I’m a lover of television and movies, so I like to spend my free time catching up on current favorites and watching new things as often as I can. I grew up helping my mom and grandmothers in the kitchen, which created my love for baking – no doubt about it. I began baking on my own around 16, so about 15 years now!
How did you get started with baking?
Baking has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up helping my mom, grandma, and nana bake, and have especially fond memories of baking during the holidays. When Pinterest started to boom around 2011, I started baking more and more as the recipes were so intriguing to me – cake batter cookies and slutty brownies were two of the first things I made completely on my own (besides box mix cupcakes and brownies). I had so much fun baking them.
What is your favorite & least favorite process of baking/cake decorating?
My favorite part of the baking and decorating process is brainstorming ideas for the design. Sketching out an idea on paper and seeing it come to life brings me such a huge sense of accomplishment, especially knowing that the cake or cookies are going to an event that is special to many people. My least favorite part is having to push past a creative block. Whether that’s with design brainstorming, design execution, or coming up with new menu flavors, feeling stuck can make even the smallest tasks feel impossible.
Do you have a memorable cake & cookies that challenged you?
My most memorable baking challenge was a cookie order I got about a year after starting Flour Gals Bakery. I missed the mark by including a detail that wasn’t specifically requested, and as a result of this, my client berated me and said some incredibly hurtful things. After this interaction, I began to doubt my decorating skills, and felt like I had utterly failed as a business owner. For several months after this order, I was so afraid of saying yes to orders and putting any creative spin on anything I made because I felt like it wouldn’t be perceived well, or wouldn’t be good enough. Truthfully, it took me about a year to gain my confidence back and trust in my decorating skills. Four years later, I have more confidence than ever, and I’m thankful I allowed myself to learn and grow from that experience.
Four years later, I have more confidence than ever, and I’m thankful I allowed myself to learn and grow from that experience.
Alyssa Garza
What are your must-have decorating tools?
My must-haves for cake decorating are a small offset spatula, stainless steel cake scraper/comb, and the Ateco turntable. Scribes, tipless piping bags, and sheet pans with airtight lids are also must-haves for cookie decorating.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get so much inspiration from the cookie community online for cookies. There are so many talented decorators around the world, and it’s hard not to be inspired by them. Two of my favorite cookie decorators I get a lot of inspiration from are Dough by Mo (@dough_by_mo) and Kellie Bakes & Co (@kelliebakesandco). I also refer to Pinterest a lot, and the fabric prints on websites like JOANN and Michaels. Like I do with cookies, I get a lot of inspiration from cake decorators online. Two of my favorite decorators online are Wild Child Cupcakes (@wildchildcupcakes_inc) and April’s Baker London (@aprilsbakerlondon).
What are your favorite cake & cookie trends?
My favorite cake trend is the vintage piping trend. This piping style has a timeless, classy look that can be used for any theme. I’ve seen them made monochrome white for weddings, green and brown for a Shrek birthday, and bright rainbow colors for a Lisa Frank themed birthday. It’s just so fun! My favorite cookie trend is everything bows. Similar to the vintage piping style, I love how they can be added to so many different themes. Birthdays, weddings, baby showers, even holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day! It’s a trend that I hope never goes out of style.
What is the biggest accomplishment to the date of your baking career?
To date, the biggest accomplishment of my baking career has been establishing a professional relationship with Methodist Hospital. As a Houstonian born and raised, having the opportunity to make cookies and cakes for Methodist Hospital on several occasions is something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. As a home bakery owner, being able to say, “Methodist Hospital is one of my clients,” is just crazy to me!
For 2025, what do you hope to accomplish for your business?
As a business owner, my biggest goal for 2025 is to establish more relationships with corporate clients. I feel such a huge sense of accomplishment after completing an order with hundreds of cookies, and knowing I get to play a tiny part in a business opening or employee appreciation makes me feel so proud of my work and the business I’ve grown.
What are you doing in your spare time if you are not creating cakes?
I’m a huge movie and television fan, and so is my fiancé, so a lot of my free time involves watching movies or TV shows. Some of my favorite genres are comedy, romance, and crime! I also enjoy playing games/board games, and my all-time favorite is Yahtzee!
What is your favorite dessert?
I’m not sure I’ve ever thought longer about an answer to a question! My all-time favorite is a childhood classic for me—Betty Crocker yellow cake mix topped with Betty Crocker chocolate frosting. My mom always made it in a 9×13 pan, which isn’t the same for me when it’s a round cake. It was often made for family birthday parties, and I would get so excited when I saw that chocolate frosting! I’ve made so many scratch cakes and other desserts, but for me, nothing beats that grocery store combo.
My Favorite Creations
Bridal Shower Purple Pink Cookie Set
Such a pretty cookie set incorporating pumpkins, flowers, and foliage using a purple, pink and white color scheme.
Baby In Bloom Boho Cookies
I cannot get over how beautiful this boho-inspired theme is!
Pastel Halloween Cookies
What a fun pastel Halloween theme using skulls, ghosts, and pumpkins!
Peter Rabbit Baby Shower Cookies
Such a sweet set featuring Peter Rabbit for a baby shower. Click here for some baby shower inspiration.
Adorable Girl Dinosaur Cake
This is the perfect example of using detailed sugar cookies on a custom cake! For some dinosaur cake inspo, click here.
Spooky Season Halloween Cookies
What a spooky cute cookie theme! Click here for some Halloween cake inspiration.
Mamma Mia Bachelorette Cookies
This has to be one of the most unique cookie design I’ve seen!
Spring Floral Cake
A lovely floral cake for a sweet celebration.
Naughty Christmas Cookies
I love this naughty cookie set!!
Lingerie Cookies
A pretty collection of lingerie!
More about Alyssa Garza (Flour Gals Bakery)
A self-taught cookie and cake decorator, Alyssa creates gorgeous, detailed cookies and cakes crafted individually.