WHATEVER CRUMBLES YOUR COOKIE. Van Dough's offers Paint Your Own (PYO) cookie kits, fit with edible watercolor "paint" palettes to paint your own designs! (Photo via Van Dough's social media)

Van Dough’s Bake Shop was fresh on the scene in 2019, owner Amy Accola cooking – and painting – up everything in her own kitchen right in Menomonie. A twist on the expected dessert decorations, Accola crafts incredibly detailed and, truly, pretty-as-a-picture sweets. 

Customers get in touch with Accola via social media, particularly through the business Facebook page. She has also recently ventured into the world of Etsy, listing certain cookie cutters and sets there, alongside figuring out how to expand its visibility elsewhere online too.

While she offers custom cookies, cupcakes, and cakes, Accola also offers a do-it-yourself spin on her cookies through her PYO (Paint Your Own) cookie kits.

“[The PYO cookies] are a really fun and unique combination of cookies and watercolor painting. This is something I saw being done by other bakers online, and I knew I had to incorporate them into my lineup,” Accola said. 

Accola can create any shape of cookie desired, places frosting piping across its base in white, and sets up each cookie with an edible watercolor “paint” palette and brush for customers to paint right on the cookie, like a coloring book. 

“It’s a really fun activity for kids and adults alike, and then of course it’s great to be able to eat what you’ve created!” Accola said. “They have been great conversation starters at events, and they are a perfect addition to my overall theme of art-inspired cookies!”

Each PYO cookie kit is $4, coming individually packaged with all the “painting” materials to create your own mini-masterpiece. 

Customers can pick up any order for free, or work out delivery from Accola. Menomonie deliveries are done for a flat $5, while an additional 50 cents per mile is tacked on for areas outside of the town. 

NOT A COOKIE MONSTER, A COOKIE MASTER. Van Dough's creates custom orders for any occasion: holidays, birthdays, business events (with logos!), and anything else you can think of. (Photo contributed by Accola)

So, where can you find Van Dough’s outside of Menomonie? Glad you asked.

“I will be getting out into the community more this summer as much as possible with pop-up cookie sales and participating in organized community events,” Accola shared. After having her own booth at the recent Pride in Phoenix Park event and receiving great turnout and feedback, she’s even more excited for her July event right in Menomonie, “Let’s Paint the Town”, perfect for Van Dough’s. 

“It’s been a lot of fun coming up with shapes to make into the PYO cookies, but I could do any style or shape by request!”

HAVE YOU TRIED ICING IT? Accola has an educational background in art and catering, creating the perfect creative, skillful mix for Van Dough's. (Photo contributed by Accola from a true crime-themed order)

See more photos of Van Dough Bake Shop's creations and get in touch through Van Dough's official Facebook page or website.