Dolce By Tina: Sweet Cookie Hobbies Turn Into a Successful Baking Business

Some businesses start with a plan. Others start with a plate of cookies and a room full of friends. This one began at a Christmas party, loud laughter, sugar highs, and a friendly cookie competition no one expected to change a life.

When Christina Karras won that contest, the prize was bragging rights. The real reward came later. Confidence kicked in. Her husband pushed her to think bigger. What began as a fun holiday moment turned into the spark that launched a full-time baking business.

Karras had baked for years. She learned early, watching her mom decorate cakes at home. Flour and frosting were normal parts of life. Still, baking stayed in the hobby lane until that night showed her what was possible.

By April, she launched Dolce by Tina.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dolce (@dolcebytina)

And by December, Christmas orders stacked up fast. Demand grew so strong that she started thinking about expansion before the year even ended.

The Menu

Dolce by Tina / IG / Dolce by Tina keeps things tight. Six classic cookie flavors stay on the menu at all times. One special flavor rotates each month to match the season.

December brings gingerbread. June lights up with S’mores. July shows off a red velvet cheesecake cookie for the Fourth. These flavors feel timely and fun, not forced. People come back to see what is next.

Her cookies are not dainty. They are big, bold, and filling. Each cookie weighs four or six ounces. Many come stuffed. One cookie can easily replace dessert and a snack later. Favorites include almond croissant, Biscoff cookie butter, chocolate chip walnut, cookies and cream, and lemon poppyseed.

Every flavor is rich, balanced, and built to stand out in a crowded cookie world.

Culture, Creativity & One Standout Cookie

One cookie means more to Karras than the rest. The Pistachio Kunafah cookie ties directly to her roots. It pulls inspiration from a viral Dubai chocolate bar and the classic Egyptian dessert Kunafah.

This cookie tells a story. It blends crunch, sweetness, and nostalgia. Customers taste something familiar and new at the same time. That emotional connection keeps them talking and sharing.

Karras does not guess her way through recipes. She approaches baking with a sharp eye. Her biology background trained her to respect precision. Her MBA taught her how small changes impact results.

Orders move fast. Customers can order through dolcebytina.com or by phone. Delivery is available across Orange County, with pickup in Irvine. The process is simple and smooth.

That ease matters the most. People want great cookies without friction. Clear options and quick communication help the business grow without chaos. The holiday rush proved something important. This was not a fluke. People came back. They ordered again. They told friends. Demand outpaced expectations.

Now expansion is on the table. Bigger production. More reach. Same quality. Karras is careful, but confident. She knows growth only works when the product stays solid.

Why This Story Hits Hard?

Dolce by Tina / IG / This business did not chase trends. It built trust. The menu stayed focused, the flavors felt personal, and the cookies delivered every time.

The story also resonates because it feels real. A win at a party. A push from a spouse. Skills built over the years are finally put to work.

Mind you, sweet hobbies often stay hobbies. This one turned into something bigger because timing met preparation. Karras was ready when the moment came.