TACOMA, Wash. — It all began during the pandemic when hobby baker Avriel Burlot needed to find something fun to do. What she needed was a sign. Or maybe signs. Business signs. All re-created as cookies and posted to her Instagram account ABC Home Bakery.
"It's like doodling but on a cookie, right? So, I think it's cool to be able to do so much on a cookie." Burlot said.
Getting every detail just right is the biggest challenge.
"They're hand cut. They're very specific shapes. And then you do a flood, which is like a base layer frosting," she said.
To get such specific details on every cookie Burlot uses a projector app on her phone and a food coloring pen.
"And then you fill in the other details with the frosting," she added.
Once the cookies are dry, Burlot is ready to share them with her hometown. The first step is a short Instagram video.
"I'm taking pictures outside and if people are around or people can see me I let them know I'm not weird," she said. "I'm not doing anything strange. It's a cookie of the sign and they're like 'Oh OK', the patrons. And then when I go inside and give it to that person they're like 'What is this? How can I save this? I don't want to eat this!'"
Burlot usually has to convince the owners to eat the cookies. It doesn't always work. Some have even framed her cookies.
"I think it's funny when people say 'Oh it's too pretty I can't eat it!,'" Burlot said. "No! Please do! I can make another!"
On this particular Saturday Burlot dropped off cookies at ETC Tacoma boutique, The Mix, The New Frontier Lounge and La Paloma, a gift shop. But it was at Side Piece Kitchen that she got recognized by a follower on Instagram.
"That totally made my day!" she said.
Reflecting back on all these years and all these cookie, Burlot says she's not so sure other communities would appreciate the sweet gesture she's made.
"I'm proud of where I'm from so it's cool to be able to make cookies for the community of Tacoma," she said.
In her own way Avriel Burlot is baking the world a better place one cookie at a time.
"And then I go on my merry way!" she laughed.
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