IT'S BENTO, BABY! Local Houaha Xiong has taken her skills and love for baking to the next level with her small biz, BentoBabyBakery. (Photos via BentoBab yBakery)

From a young age, local Houaha Xiong has been walking around the Chippewa Valley with a baking spatula in hand. Inspired by the world of cakes, baking design, and online how-tos, Xiong has learned a few baking tricks – and some business tips – while crafting her own recipes.

“It’s become such a passion of mine because I’ve learned how therapeutic baking and decorating cakes can be,” she said. Recently starting her own small business, called BentoBaby Bakery, Xiong makes her homemade cakes light and fun, all in a take-home box, ready and served for one.

“I spent a lot of time figuring out what niche I wanted my business to be,” Xiong explained. Eventually deciding on the trending bento cake, typically only a few inches across and decorated with simple yet delicious features, Xiong brings these sensational goodies usually found in larger cities home to the Valley.

While working part-time and earning a degree in veterinary medicine, Xiong has still found the time to do something she loves. Working towards honing her icing skills and website design, she welcomes the orders that continue to come in as word spreads. Running this business as a one-woman show, she organizes, bakes, decorates, and packages the cakes all on her own.

“I spent a lot of time educating myself about starting a business and I am so happy with how far I’m coming,” she said. 

“What I try to exceed in, with my cakes, is for them to be very balanced and easily consumable,” Xiong added. With a menu that changes with the seasons, and adorably decorated tops inspired by the scenery, a new, special spring menu has just arrived.

Now featuring marble, strawberry shortcake, and a special coconut pandan cake with either roses or lilies on top, Xiong is beginning to mix traditional flavors with the Hmong flavors she grew up loving. “My cakes definitely taste homemade,” she said proudly.

To order, visit BentoBaby Bakery’s website where you can also find contact information, or follow her Instagram @bentobabybakery.